A missed approach occurs when one or more conditions occur that cause a pilot to abort a landing procedure. A missed approach procedure requires the pilot to maintain an altitude above a particular height and return to the landing structure. The altitude ensures that the aircraft remains clear of obstacles.
For example, upon reaching a decision height (DH) (height above ground level (AGL)) or a minimum descent altitude MDA, a missed approach procedure may be initiated when a visual reference to continue the approach to land has not been established. The procedure may require that the pilot contact the air traffic control tower, retract flaps, and initiate full power for a positive rate of climb. Knowing what location at which the aircraft will reach the DH (also referred to as the missed approach point (MAP)) or the MDA in advance to reaching the location will aid the pilot in making the decision of whether to initiate the missed approach procedure. Conventional methods provide the DH/MDA through a readout indicating the altitude of the DH/MDA and provide an alert when the aircraft has reached the DH/MDA. These methods do not provide visualization of the time left or how close the aircraft is to the DH/MDA. These methods do not aid in the anticipation or natural transition to executing the missed approach procedure.
Hence, there is a need for systems and methods for presenting a visual of this information in advance to the pilot in the aircraft. Other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.