Patent ID: 8108086

Claim:
An aircraft guidance and piloting system, comprising: an engagement unit which comprises: at least one engagement detector that detects indications that signal pilot inability to control the aircraft, and a processor linked to the detector that deduces the detected indications and transmits an engagement command; at least one control unit which comprises: a guidance and piloting unit that guides and pilots the aircraft towards an alternative airport upon receipt of the transmitted engagement command from the processor, said guidance and piloting unit comprising: an aircraft control unit that actuates aircraft control elements, and an alternative airport determination unit that determines the alternative airport; and a landing unit that prepares and executes a landing of the aircraft at said determined alternative airport, said landing unit comprising: a landing controller that orders leading-edge slats, high-lift flaps and aircraft landing gear to be extended on approaching the alternative airport, a guidance controller that guides the aircraft, during landing, along an approach gradient and along a runway axis of the alternative airport, and upon landing, guides the aircraft along the runway axis, and a ground speed controller that slows ground speed of the aircraft; and a communication unit which comprises a data receiver and a data transmitter, in which the communication unit communicates with dialog stations located outside the aircraft, wherein the communication unit is linked to said control unit so that the data receiver receives longitudinal and lateral guidance instructions from outside the aircraft and the data transmitter transmits the instructions to said control unit so as to provide for external guidance of the aircraft.