Patent ID: 6856864

Claim:
A method for entering data into an aircraft flight management system having a computer, the computer communicating with a monitor, at least one data source and a text entry means, the method comprising the steps of: a. entering at least one alphanumeric character corresponding to a first text identifier into the text entry device and displaying the text entered on a flight plan entry field on the display; b. comparing the entered chat to data stored in each data source and identifying and automatically completing on the monitor display a likely text identifier that is geographically closest to the aircraft's flight plan; and c. repeating steps a and b until a desired first text identifier is displayed in the flight plan entry field, d. accepting the text identifier by the text entry means if acceptable to an operator of the aircraft and allowing the computer to modify the aircraft's flight plan corresponding to the accepted text identifier, e. entering at least one alphanumeric character corresponding to additional text identifiers into the text entry device and displaying the text entered on a flight plan entry field on the display, f. comparing the entered character to data stored in each data source and identifying and automatically completing on the monitor display a likely text identifier that is geographically closest to the aircraft's flight plan, g. repeating steps e and f until a desired additional text identifier is displayed in the flight plan entry fields, h. notifying the computer by the text entry means to allow the computer to obtain a runway list from the data source for all runways associated with a destination airport; and i. removing active runway information from the runway list and sorting and listing all remaining runways by proximity to the active runway heading.