Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to the field of aircraft display units that present information to the pilot of an aircraft.
Description of the Related Art
Aviation governing authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) of the Unites States have developed constraints on aircraft climb performance. In the United States, the FAA has published these constraints in Part 25 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Constraints on aircraft climb performance include minimum climb gradients with one or more engines inoperative during a plurality of take-off (“T/O”) segments along with defined aircraft configurations corresponding to the T/O: a ground roll segment, a first segment defining first climb performance criteria, a second segment defining second climb performance criteria, a third segment defining acceleration criteria, and a fourth segment defining third climb performance criteria.
The FAA defines minimum climb gradients in terms of percentages. Although minimum climb gradients are specified as percentages by regulation, pilots often use rates of climb (e.g., feet per minute) or climbs speeds. Manufacturers of aircraft translate minimum climb gradients into tables showing T/O distances as functions of aircraft performance factors such as, for example, temperature, altitude, and weight. By knowing the current temperature at the airport, altitude of the airport, and weight of the aircraft, a pilot may look up various T/O distances during his or her preflight duties and determine whether the aircraft is safe for T/O. Although these duties are routine, mistakes could be made by the pilot.