Patent ID: 7502684

Claim:
A method of automatic piloting of an aircraft during a phase of approach to a predetermined airdrop position, at which an airdrop is to be made from said aircraft, the method comprising: automatically applying to said aircraft, during said approach phase, a speed profile with decreasing speed, the speed profile comprising a plurality of constant-speed levels separated by deceleration phases such that the aircraft will reach said airdrop position at a predetermined theoretical arrival time with a predetermined speed; automatically determining, during said approach phase, an actual arrival time at which the aircraft will actually reach said airdrop position, wherein a difference between said theoretical and actual arrival times is calculated and if this difference differs from zero, said speed profile is corrected by modifying lengths of time that at least two constant-speed levels are applied to the aircraft in such a way as to cancel said difference; and automatically applying, during said approach phase, said corrected speed profile to said aircraft.