Systems and methods for selectively altering a ground proximity message

Abstract

Systems and methods for selectively altering a ground proximity warning message. In an embodiment, a ground proximity warning system for a flight vehicle includes a processor that is configured to generate a look-ahead envelope that defines a region extending outwardly from the flight vehicle and to generate a terrain proximity message when the defined region intersects a terrain feature. An interface device is coupled to the processor that is operable to configure the system in a first operating mode wherein the generated terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed, and a second operating mode wherein the terrain proximity message is not suppressed.

1 . A ground proximity warning system for a vehicle, comprising:
 a processor that is configured to generate a look-ahead envelope that defines a region extending outwardly from the vehicle and to generate a terrain proximity message when the defined region intersects a terrain feature; and   an interface device coupled to the processor that is arranged to receive at least one of a first selection and a second selection from a crew member of the vehicle, arranged to cause the processor to configure the system in a first operating mode wherein the generated terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed in response to the first selection, and arranged to cause the processor to configure the system in a second operating mode wherein the terrain proximity message is not suppressed in response to the second selection.   
     
     
         2 . The ground proximity warning system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to generate a look-ahead envelope having a terrain warning portion defining a first region adjacent to the vehicle, and configured to generate a terrain advisory portion defining a second region that extends outwardly from the first region, and wherein the first operating mode of the system suppresses the terrain proximity message when the second region intersects a terrain feature. 
     
     
         3 . The ground proximity warning system of  claim 1 , wherein the first operating mode of the system suppresses the generation of at least one of a visual terrain proximity message and an audible terrain proximity message. 
     
     
         4 . The ground proximity warning system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to generate an alternative flight path that avoids the terrain feature and that is different from a current flight path of the vehicle, and further wherein the first operating mode suppresses the generated terrain proximity message when at least one alternative flight path is generated. 
     
     
         5 . The ground proximity warning system of  claim 2 , wherein the first operating mode of the system suppresses the terrain proximity message when the second region intersects a terrain feature, and presents the terrain proximity message when the first region intersects the terrain feature. 
     
     
         6 . A system for selectively altering a ground proximity message for an aircraft, comprising:
 a look-ahead warning generator coupled to at least one sensor device and configured to generate selected performance and positional information for the aircraft and also coupled to a memory device that includes terrain features, the generator being arranged to generate at least one envelope that defines a region extending outwardly from the aircraft and to generate a terrain proximity message when the defined region intersects a terrain feature; and   an interface device coupled to the generator, arranged to receive at least one of a first selection and a second selection from a crew member of the aircraft, and arranged to cause the generator to configure the system in a first operating mode wherein the generated terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed in response to the first selection, and a second operating mode wherein the terrain proximity message is not suppressed in response to the second selection.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one sensor device includes one of a position sensor, an altitude sensor, an airspeed sensor, a track sensor and a heading sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the look-ahead warning generator is further coupled to at least one of a display device arranged to visually display the terrain proximity message, and an aural warning generator arranged to audibly present the terrain proximity message. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the look-ahead generator is configured to generate a look-ahead envelope having a terrain warning portion defining a first region adjacent to the aircraft, and a terrain advisory portion defining a second region that extends outwardly from the first region, and wherein the first operating mode of the system suppresses the terrain proximity message when the second region intersects a terrain feature. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first operating mode of the system suppresses the presentation of the terrain proximity message on at least one of the display device and the aural warning generator. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the generator is configured to generate an alternative flight path that avoids the terrain feature and that is different from a current flight path of the aircraft, and further wherein the first operating mode suppresses the generated terrain proximity message when at least one alternative flight path is generated. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein first operating mode suppresses the terrain proximity message when the second region intersects a terrain feature, and presents the terrain proximity message when the first region intersects the terrain feature. 
     
     
         13 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The ground proximity warning system of  claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to end suppression of the terrain proximity message in response to determining that no alternative flight path is available. 
     
     
         22 . The ground proximity warning system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor configures the system in the first operating mode wherein a visual terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed and an audible terrain proximity message is enabled in response to the first selection, and wherein the interface device is arranged to receive a third selection from the crew member, and arranged to cause the processor to configure the system in a third operating mode wherein the audible terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed and the visual terrain proximity message is enabled in response to the third selection. 
     
     
         23 . The ground proximity warning system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface device is a speech recognition device arranged to receive a first verbal command from the crew member corresponding to the first selection and arranged to receive a second verbal command from the crew member corresponding to the second selection. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the generator is configured to end suppression of the terrain proximity message in response to determining that no alternative flight path is available. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the generator configures the system in the first operating mode wherein a visual terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed and an audible terrain proximity message is enabled in response to the first selection, and wherein the interface device is arranged to receive a third selection from the crew member, and arranged to cause the generator to configure the system in a third operating mode wherein the audible terrain proximity message is selectively suppressed and the visual terrain proximity message is enabled in response to the third selection. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the interface device is a speech recognition device arranged to receive a first verbal command from the crew member corresponding to the first selection and arranged to receive a second verbal command from the crew member corresponding to the second selection.