Patent ID: 8849480

Claim:
A system for validating a ground determination of a gross weight of an aircraft, the system comprising: at least one sensor configured to generate information regarding a ground determination of gross weight of an aircraft while parked at an aircraft parking bay on the ground before takeoff; at least one processing device communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to receive the information regarding the ground determination of the gross weight of the aircraft while parked at the aircraft parking bay on the ground before takeoff from the at least one sensor; at least one computer memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processing device; wherein the at least one processing device is configured to determine the ground determination of the gross weight of the aircraft while parked at the aircraft parking bay on the ground before takeoff based on the information regarding the ground determination of gross weight of the aircraft while parked at the aircraft parking bay on the ground before takeoff generated by the at least one sensor; wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to determine the gross weight of the aircraft in the air after takeoff based on an indicated airspeed of the aircraft, an angle of attack of the aircraft, and thrust applied to the aircraft; wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to determine a first error between the ground determination of the gross weight of the aircraft while parked at the aircraft parking bay on the ground and the air determination of gross weight of the aircraft while in the air while taking into account any reduction in gross weight of the aircraft due to fuel consumed since receiving the ground determination of the gross weight of the aircraft parked at the aircraft parking bay on the ground; wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to update information regarding a relationship between the ground determination of the gross weight of the aircraft while parked at the aircraft parking bay on the ground and the air determination of gross weight of the aircraft while in the air; and wherein the at least one computer memory is configured to store the updated information regarding the relationship for use next time the aircraft parks at the aircraft parking bay on the ground.