Garmin International, Inc.

Joseph R Lombardo

Clayton E Barber

Noel J Duerksen

Benjamin N Patel

Eric Tran

Scott K Haskins

Caleb J Gorman

Robert W Gaul

Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.

Emergency autoland system

Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft; calculate a merit for each potential destination identified; select a destination based upon the merit; and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination that accounts for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, determine a final approach segment associated with the route; identify terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s) associated with the final approach segment; and determine an adjusted final approach segment accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s).

An automated avionics system for determining a modified descent path of an aircraft includes a memory operable to store a database of flight information related to a flight plan and a processor operably coupled with the memory. The processor is operable to receive an indication to initiate descent of the aircraft associated with a position of the aircraft, receive information related to the flight plan from the database, and based on the information received, perform modifications to the path of descent. The processor is further operable to, based on a comparison of an original position of descent and the indicated position, determine a modified position of descent for the aircraft and calculate a modified path of descent, the modified path of descent complying with the of altitude constraint(s) of the flight plan.

Automated avionics systems and methods for determining a modified path of descent of an aircraft

Emergency autoload system

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Olathe, KS, United States of America

Joseph R Lombardo