1. Field
Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to the field of aircraft flight instrumentation and more particularly to a system for notifying pilots of an off ground flight condition resulting from a landing bounce which incorporates landing gear extension/compression measurement and pilot indicators.
2. Background
Aircraft operating in high winds or other adverse environmental conditions during landing or landing with improperly serviced landing gear shock struts may encounter the runway surface with sufficient force to induce a bounce (rebound off the runway) causing the aircraft to again become airborne. Premature rapid de-rotation (pitching the nose down) without the main landing gear firmly planted on the runway has been cited as one of the contributing elements for aircraft undesired landing incidents. Due to the size and cockpit positioning in large commercial aircraft, if an airplane bounces off the runway after touchdown, the flight crew may not recognize that the airplane has bounced due to the difference between the cockpit movement and the airplane main landing gear position relative to the ground; i.e. the cockpit may be moving up or down while the main gear are coming off the ground. If the airplane derotation is performed while the main gear are off the ground, it could lead to a nose landing gear only landing that could cause significant structural damage to the airplane.
It is therefore desirable to provide an Airplane Off Ground Advisory System (AOGAS) which will provide an indication to the flight crew positively identifying the aircraft has bounced after initial contact with the runway so that the crew can take appropriate action to make a safe landing or perform a go-around operation.