An automated airborne support tool for aircraft emergencies: selection of landing sites and 4D diversion trajectories

Abstract

We present a software prototype (SafeNcy) capable of automatically choosing and ranking landing sites for emergency situations and of generating four-dimensional (4D) trajectories towards these sites. We describe the modules composing this framework, together with their main capabilities, interactions and the workflow of the full integrated system. Different types of emergencies are firstly categorized. Then, for each type of emergency, landing sites—including off-airport locations—are ranked, and speed and vertical trajectory descent profiles are tailored accordingly. These algorithms take into account several data from different sources, such as terrain databases, weather forecasts and aircraft performance models. We outline a new concept of operations aiming to integrate SafeNcy into the current aircraft operations and air traffic management paradigms. Several scenarios, focusing on total engine flame-out situations, are described and used to validate the framework, as well as to show its main features. The scenarios were designed in cooperation with a group of expert pilots and engineers. SafeNcy is expected to be an additional function for advanced and extended flight management systems, alleviating flight crew’s workload and contributing to a more digital cockpit. It could also be a technical enabler for future unmanned or highly-automated aviation.