Improvement for landing on small-medium airports using future, aircraft-autonomous guidance aids

Improvements are dealt with which are possible with an integrated presentation of guidance information and terrain in a 3-dimensional format for supporting the pilot in landing an aircraft. This is considered to enhance the accessibility of small to medium airports in demanding landing approach conditions as regards low visibility, adverse weather and/or a difficult terrain environment. The 3-dimensional guidance information displayed to the pilot comprises the command approach trajectory in the form of a tunnel, the aircraft position at an appropriately selected time ahead using a predictor, and an image of the terrain. The terrain image shows all elements of the outside world important for the control task of the pilot. It features a high-resolution replication of the airport and its surroundings as well as a graphical reproduction of obstacles. Furthermore, the 3-dimensional guidance information presented on the display offers the possibility to perform curved and steep approaches. Thus, the flexibility of approach and landing operations can be enhanced. Results from pilot-in-the-loop simulations show the performance which can be achieved with the guidance aids.