James P Conner

US Patent:

7568662, Aug 4, 2009

Filed:

Nov 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/995120

Inventors:

James P. Conner - Andover MN, US

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

B64C 13/18

US Classification:

244175, 244183, 244194, 244195, 2441185, 701 11, 701 16

Abstract:

A method and system for preventing the control of an aircraft from the cockpit. In an exemplary embodiment, the system could be triggered externally. For example, an air traffic control (ATC) station could determine that the aircraft has deviated from its planned flight path. If personnel at the ATC station decide that the deviation is not attributable to the actions of the authorized flight crew, the personnel can transmit a signal to the aircraft that disables all normal cockpit control of the aircraft. Once normal flight controls are disabled, the aircraft may execute a preprogrammed emergency flight plan via its autopilot system, with or without the use of a flight management system (FMS). The emergency flight plan could cause the aircraft to fly to a sparsely populated area and enter a holding pattern, or it could cause the aircraft to land in a sparsely populated area or at an airport using an autoland system.