Method for changing the path followed by an aircraft, the aircraft initially following a predefined path, the method allowing a possible return of the aircraft to the predefined path

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for changing the path followed by an aircraft, the aircraft initially following a predefined path on the basis of a sequence of waypoints, the method allowing a subsequent return of the aircraft to the predefined path in the same direction or in the reverse direction. The method allows a possible return of the aircraft to the predefined path in the same direction such that the waypoints of the predefined path are projected onto a new path according to a projection function ensuring that the order of the sequence of the projected image points complies with the order of the sequence of the original waypoints. The projection of a waypoint already reached by the aircraft also is considered as having been reached. The projections of the waypoints on the new path are considered reached by the aircraft progressively as the latter progresses along the new path. The aircraft eventually rejoins the predefined path at the first waypoint in the order of the sequence of points whose projection is not yet considered as reached on the new path.