| US 7,502,684 B2 | ||
| Method and system for the automatic piloting of an aircraft on the approach to an airdrop position | ||
| Philippe Haas, Toulouse (France) | ||
| Assigned to Airbus France, Toulouse (France) | ||
| Filed on Dec. 03, 2004, as Appl. No. 11/2,182. | ||
| Claims priority of application No. 03 14242 (FR), filed on Dec. 04, 2003. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2005/0143904 A1, Jun. 30, 2005 | ||
| Int. Cl. G06F 17/00 (2006.01); G06F 19/00 (2006.01); G01C 21/30 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 701—121 [701/4; 701/120; 701/210; 244/185] | 16 Claims |
| 1. A method of automatic piloting of an aircraft during a phase of approach to a predetermined airdrop position, at which
an airdrop is to be made from said aircraft, the method comprising:
automatically applying to said aircraft, during said approach phase, a speed profile with decreasing speed, the speed profile
comprising a plurality of constant-speed levels separated by deceleration phases such that the aircraft will reach said airdrop
position at a predetermined theoretical arrival time with a predetermined speed;
automatically determining, during said approach phase, an actual arrival time at which the aircraft will actually reach said
airdrop position, wherein a difference between said theoretical and actual arrival times is calculated and if this difference
differs from zero, said speed profile is corrected by modifying lengths of time that at least two constant-speed levels are
applied to the aircraft in such a way as to cancel said difference; and
automatically applying, during said approach phase, said corrected speed profile to said aircraft.
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