Joseph M Macdonald

US Patent:

55239498, Jun 4, 1996

Filed:

Aug 5, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/286317

Inventors:

Robert M. Agate - Everett WA
Ronald J. Bloom - Bellevue WA
John E. Cashman - Redmond WA
Robert E. Chaney - Bellevue WA
John C. Griffin - Tacoma WA
Charles A. Hovland - Des Moines WA
Ronald Lilischkies - Avon CO
Joseph M. MacDonald - Issaquah WA
Timothy C. McRoberts - Kirkland WA
Frank P. Santoni - Redmond WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G05D 104
G05D 110

US Classification:

364429

Abstract:

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.