Method and system for resolving traffic conflicts in take-off and landing

Abstract

A method and system for resolving existing and potential traffic conflicts that may occur during take-off and landing in aviation that includes means of monitoring movements on the runway, its approaches and environs to determine whether a conflict or potential conflict exists, means to resolve a conflict and to generate an output pertaining to this resolution.

1 . A method of detecting or monitoring the presence of traffic or obstacles in the vicinity of an aircraft or its intended path during the approach to a runway, landing or take-off, that determines whether a conflict or potential conflict exists, that determines a manoeuvre that will successfully resolve the conflict and generates an output pertaining to the determined manoeuvre. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conflict geometry and dynamics are used to determine the manoeuvre to resolve the conflict or potential conflict. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the performance of the aircraft is used to determine the manoeuvre to resolve the conflict or potential conflict. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein scheduled performance data is used to determine the manoeuvre to resolve the conflict or potential conflict. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a directive aural alert or instruction is generated. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the alert directs the pilot to perform a go-around during landing, to stop during take-off, or to stop during taxi as the aircraft approaches a runway. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aircraft is triggered to automatically execute the intended manoeuvre. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the generation of aural alerts pertaining to the distance to the conflict. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the generation of an aural alert advising the pilot that the conflict is resolved when the conflict is resolved. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the storage and retrieval of runway and airport survey data. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the graphical display of the aircraft's position with respect to the runway or other geographical points on the airfield. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including the graphical display of other traffic in relation to geographic points on the airfield and in relation to the aircraft. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , further including communication means with other aircraft, vehicles or entities to enable the coordination of a conflict resolution manoeuvre. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein information pertaining to the detected conflict is transmitted. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a conflict is resolved in coordination with the conflict traffic or entity. 
   
   
       16 . A system for detecting or monitoring the presence of traffic or obstacles in the vicinity of an aircraft or its intended path during the approach to a runway, landing or take-off, that determines whether a conflict or potential conflict exists, that determines a manoeuvre that will successfully resolve the conflict and generates an output pertaining to the determined manoeuvre, the system including data acquisition means, a data processing device and an output device to generate an output pertaining to the determined manoeuvre. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the output device includes an audio device. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the output device includes a display device. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the output device is electrically connected to the aircraft's guidance system. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 16 , including a data storage device for storing and retrieving runway and airport survey data. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 16 , including a wireless datalink device for communicating with other aircraft, vehicles or entities.