The Boeing Company

Robert M Agate

John C Griffin, Iii

William Milo Bresley

Robert E Chaney

Timothy C McRoberts

John E Cashman

Guner Firuz

Ronald J Bloom

Joseph M MacDonald

Ronald Lilischkies

Frank P Santoni, Jr

Michael H Jaeger

Charles A Hovland

Methods and systems for automatically controlling aircraft takeoff rolls. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes receiving an indication of a target takeoff roll path for an aircraft, and automatically controlling a direction of an aircraft, while the aircraft is on a takeoff roll, to at least approximately follow the target takeoff roll path. The method can further include providing an input to a rudder of the aircraft and, upon receiving an indication of an engine failure, can transfer the input from the rudder to a rudder trim element. In still further embodiments, the method can include commanding a ground track angle when an airspeed of the aircraft reaches a threshold value, and maintaining the ground track angle as the airspeed of the aircraft exceeds the threshold value.

Methods and systems for automatically controlling aircraft takeoff rolls

An improvement to an autopilot flight director system allows the flight crew to make a late runway change without disengaging the autopilot. The improved system allows a transition to a new runway assignment if radio altitude is greater than 1500 feet. Control logic determines whether or not localizer and/or glideslope have been captured and enters predetermined modes as a function thereof to effect a transition to the new approach while enabling instrument landing system retuning while maintaining autopilot engagement. Flight crew workload during approach is significantly reduced as a result of implementation of the improved system.

Method and apparatus for an improved autopilot system providing for late

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Robert M Agate