6.5 - Research: Automatic Takeoff and Landing

6.5 - Research: Automatic Takeoff and Landing

Greg D. Laxton

ASCI 638 – Human Factors in Unmanned Aeronautical Systems

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

19 February 2017

Autoland and the Boeing 787

The automatic landing system on the Boeing 787 family of aircraft can precisely bring the jet to the desired runway. The pilot must select an approach from the flight management computer options, engage the autopilot and autothrottle system, and then push the approach button. Of course the pilot will still have to lower the landing gear, arm the speedbrake, complete the required checklist, communicate with ATC and select a landing flaps, but, if all this is done, the plane will land itself. The aircraft makes adjustments to the flight path to counter crosswinds, keeping the plane properly aligned with the landing runway.

The pilot can disconnect the autopilot during an autoland at any time, assuming manual control. Whether or not the landing can continue is dependent on the weather conditions, specifically the visibility at the landing runway, but once the automation is disconnected, the pilot is again in control of the flight path. The aircraft conducts a self-test of the autoland system early in the approach and alerts the pilot to any degraded systems or malfunctions. If the autoland mechanism fail during the approach, and depending on the failure, the pilot will hear an audible warning and see an alert light. The autopilot may or may not disengage, the system lets the pilot know it is downgraded and relies on his judgement to continue the approach or not. Crewmembers all receive autoland training during type rating qualification. The Boeing 787 autoland system is a very sophisticated and reliable function of the airplane.

Insitu Mark 4 launcher

The Insitu ScanEagle, Integrator and RQ-21A Blackjack line of UAS have automated takeoff and landing capability. The UAS are usually launched using the Mark 4 Launcher, a trailer-mounted platform weighing over 4,000 lbs. (Insitu, 2015). The Mark 4 is self-powered with an onboard diesel generator and air compressor. It uses a catapult mechanism to sling the different Insitu models up to flying speed. The operator then remotely pilots the UAS.

Insitu Mark 3 SkyHook

For landing, the Insitu UAS are “caught” in a proprietary recovery system call the “SkyHook” (Insitu, 2015). The SkyHook is also portable and self-powered like the launching system and it allows the Insitu UAS to be recovered after flight without the need for a runway. The UAS are automatically guided to the SkyHook, which has a suspended cable that snags the swept back wing, capturing the aircraft. Navigation to the SkyHook is augmented with kinematic GPS for precision “approach and capture” (Insitu, 2015). Training to operate the various Insitu UAS models can be conducted during a 10 week operator course (Insitu, 2015).

Limitations and Recommendations

            There are limitations to the launch and recovery equipment. The machines are heavy, require a tow vehicle and at least one operator to set up and load the devices (Insitu, 2015). The size of the Mark 4 and SkyHook will limit the UAS ability to deploy in difficult or heavily wooded terrain, so any improvements to the portability would help mitigate these issues. Regarding automation of the three Insitu UAS, an operator is required for set up and recovery, but the flight is operated from a GCS with either direct pilot input, or via pre-programmed route of flight.

References

Insitu. (2015). Mark 4 Launcher. Retrieved from https://insitu.com/images/uploads/pdfs/Launcher_Mark4_INT_ProductCard_PR041615.pdf

Insitu. (2015). Mark 3 SkyHook. Retrieved from https://insitu.com/images/uploads/pdfs/SkyHook_Mark3_ProductCard_PR051915.pdf