Patent ID: 8762040

Claim:
A method for facilitating performing an altitude change maneuver within reduced spacings of an airplane (AC) flying at a current altitude level (Nc), according to a given course, for capturing a target altitude level (Na), said airplane (AC) being provided with receiving means ( 2 ) for information relating to aircrafts flying in an air environment in the vicinity of said airplane (AC), comprising: defining, via a processor, a target altitude level to be captured (Na), based on a received target altitude level selection; determining, via a processor, a control volume (V) around said airplane (AC), a first dimension (h) of which is a function of the altitude difference between said current level (Nc) and said target level (Na), a second dimension (L) of which depends on a first distance threshold (s 1 ) and a third dimension (I) of which depends on a second distance threshold (s 2 ), wherein the first distance threshold is a predefined horizontal separation between the airplane and at least one other aircraft flying in the air environment, wherein the second distance threshold is a predefined side separation between the airplane and at least one other aircraft flying in the air environment, and wherein the second distance threshold is measured in a direction perpendicular to the first distance threshold; locating, via a processor, the presence of at least one aircraft (ACd 1 , ACd 2 , ACref) inside said control volume (V); checking, via a processor, whether the following activation conditions are met: the distance separating said airplane (AC) from said located aircraft is strictly lower than said first distance threshold (s 1 ) and is at least equal to a third distance threshold (dITP), wherein the third distance threshold is a predetermined minimum separation distance between the airplane and at least one other aircraft flying in the air environment; and the angle formed between the course of said airplane (AC) and the course of said located aircraft is at the most equal to a predefined angle threshold; and when said located aircraft (ACref) meets said activation conditions, from information from said located aircraft (ACref) received by said reception means ( 2 ), determining, via a processor, a performing time range, during which said altitude change maneuver is able to be performed, wherein a performing authorization request is generated automatically, via a processor, but held until a pilots' order is received to transmit the request to air traffic control ( 5 ).