Method for working out an avoidance path in the horizontal plane for an aircraft to resolve a traffic conflict

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the management of the risks of in-flight collision between aircraft.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background

[0005] Risks of collision between aircraft have been taken into consideration very early in the history of air transport owing to the fact that concentrations of aircraft occur naturally in the vicinity of airports. To avert such collisions, according to the first solution devised, aircraft were required to follow strictly demarcated air corridors in which their progress was monitored from the ground by air traffic controllers belonging to air traffic control (ATC) organizations. Air traffic controllers are responsible for a territory in which they organize the circulation of aircraft in authorized air corridors. For the regulation of air traffic, the controllers on the ground have information available on the movement of aircraft above their territory. This information comes from the flight plans of aircraft communicated in advance, real-time measurements by their surveillance radars dispersed over their territory and sound and data exchanges with the crew and navigation equipment of the aircraft. The risks of collision between aircraft are detected on the ground by the air traffic controllers using data in their possession and also in flight by the crews of aircraft who keep a visual watch. However, except in cases of extreme emergency, the initiative for avoidance maneuvers comes under the sole responsibility of air traffic controllers.

[0006] Traffic density is constantly increasing in the vicinity of certain airports, and the risks of collision are becoming increasingly a matter of concern. This is why the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched a program in the 1960s to create equipment for the automatic detection of in-flight collision risks designed initially for passenger aircraft. This program led to the devising of several successive generations of a system known as the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) specializing in the detection of very short-term in-flight collision risks (i.e. risks of collision within less than one minute)

[0007] A set of TCAS instruments establishes co-operation between aircraft travelling in the same neighborhood by means of another piece of onboard equipment, the transponder, whose use in the meantime, has become widespread on board aircraft for the transmission, to the ground, of information on the aircraft so as to improve their localization by the air traffic controllers.

[0008] A first generation of TCAS instruments that was available towards the 1980s, the TCAS 1 system, worked together with Mode-C transponders originally designed to respond to an interrogation by a special radar placed on the ground, known as an “secondary radar” to give a piece of information on the identity and altitude of the aircraft that carried it and also enable a measurement of the distance between said aircraft and the secondary radar and a measurement of the speed of said aircraft, these measurements being based on the propagation time of the radio-electrical signals and the variation of this propagation time from one interrogation to another. When placed on board an aircraft, a TCAS 1 instrument periodically sends interrogation signals to the mode-C transponders of the aircraft moving in the vicinity. It picks up their responses, processes these responses, and deduces their positions in terms of distance and heading, the speeds and the altitude levels of the different aircraft moving in the vicinity of the aircraft into which the instrument is integrated. It places this information at the disposal of the crew by means of a special screen and generates alarms known as Traffic Advisories (TA) when it is detected that aircraft could come close within far too small a distance. The crew of an aircraft equipped with the TCAS 1 is informed of the risk of collision but receives no advice on the nature of the evasive maneuver to be performed. This evasive maneuver cannot be done without reference to the air traffic controller, and only in the vertical plane and within a limit of 300 feet.

[0009] A second generation of TCAS instruments which is more efficient, namely the TCAS II generation, is currently available. The TCAS II co-operates with mode-C transponders or mode-S transponders and, in addition to the TA alarms, gives Resolution Advisories (“RA”) consisting of instructions to climb or descend at 2,500 feet per minute in order to avoid another aircraft, often with an indication of the descent or climb gradient to be adopted to eliminate the risk of collision. Furthermore, when two aircraft involved in a collision risk are both equipped with TCAS II instruments, their TCAS II instruments work together to prevent any conflict and not give the two aircraft simultaneous and contradictory advice on maneuvers that would not eliminate the risks of collision.

[0010] A third generation of TCAS instruments, namely the TCAS III generation, is not being envisaged. This is a generation with higher precision in the assessment of heading positions, paths and speeds of other aircraft obtained by means of a specific directional antenna and improved mode-S transponders which, in their response signals, give the GPS (global positioning system) position and the speed vector of the carrier of the transponder. These TCAS III instruments would furnish advice on RA maneuvers including lateral evasion instructions in the horizontal plane, made possible by the improved precision that is being anticipated.

[0011] The congestion of air traffic routes over certain territories, for example in Europe, and the improvement of the precision of the navigation means available to the aircraft following the deployment of the GPS satellite navigation systems such as the American GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) or the Russian GLONASS (GLObal Navigation Satellite System) are today leading air-traffic control authorities to consider abandoning the requirement, on certain routes, for aircraft to follow preset air corridors and to consider the granting to aircraft, of a certain degree of liberty in the choice of their route outside airports approach zones and outside certain flight levels. This is the navigation technique known as “Free Flight.” In addition to a reduced concentration of aircraft in the sky outside airport approach zones and, hence, a reduction in the risks of collision between aircraft, this technique of Free Flight navigation is likely to enable the following of the great circles track between points of the globe that are not directly linked by a predefined air corridor and for which the following of predefined air corridors necessitates more or less great detours.

[0012] The Free Flight navigation technique requires not only that aircraft should be equipped with precise navigation means but also that they should be capable, on their own, of resolving conflicts of traffic with other aircraft giving rise to medium-term collision risks, namely risks of collision within about five to ten minutes, whereas this conflict resolution is the task of air traffic controllers during traffic within predefined air corridors. It can be envisaged that the function of medium-term air collision protection will be fulfilled up board aircraft using the Free Flight navigation technique by means of the latest generations of TCAS instruments by augmenting their sensitivity so as to obtain sufficiently early anti-collision warnings, especially as the main problem encountered with TCAS instruments, namely that of false alarms, does not arise beyond a certain distance from airports.

[0013] Although a TCAS instrument with increased sensitivity is able to warn an aircraft carrying using the Free Flight technique of a risk of medium-term collision, namely a risk of collision within five to ten minutes, and warn this instrument that it is up to itself to carry out an avoidance maneuver, it cannot propose the most appropriate modification of the aircraft route and, at most, gives a suggestion of an avoidance maneuver by the top, the bottom, right or left. This simple suggestion of a maneuver, which is well suited to a emergency situation namely that of a collision risk within the next minute, is not suited to the resolution of a traffic conflict where the risk of collision is only a medium-term risk of collision within five to ten minutes.

[0014] When it is informed of a traffic conflict generating a medium-term collision risk, the crew of an aircraft has the time to decide on its own on the route modification to be made in order to eliminate the risk of collision, in searching for the avoidance path whose consequences are the least detrimental to the progress of the aircraft mission. In making this search, it will attach greater importance to the shortest possible path diversion at constant speed in the horizontal plane rather than to a change in speed or a path diversion in the vertical plane, both of which are more difficult to manage for the aircraft and more disturbing for the rest of the traffic.

[0015] This search for the best change in route that will eliminate the risk of collision following a reported traffic conflict is a difficult task implying a sudden increase in the work of the crew at a very time when it has to increase its vigilance and carry out both visual and radio monitoring at the same time to locate and make contact with the threatening aircraft. Assistance from the aircraft flight management computer would then be welcome.

[0016] There are onboard flight management computers capable of making in-flight modifications of the initially planned route. This is done for the avoidance, in the horizontal or vertical planes, of a zone that is belatedly recognized to be dangerous, for example a stormy zone, and it is done at minimum cost in terms of consequences for the mission of the aircraft. However, these flight management computers use methods to determine the avoidance path that are not suited to the circumventing of a zone that is moving at high speed as in the case with the zone that surrounds another aircraft.

[0017] The present invention is therefore aimed at a method for the preparation of an avoidance path in the horizontal plane for an aircraft, with a view to resolving a traffic conflict with another aircraft, this method being efficient while causing the least possible disturbance to the goals of the initially planned mission, especially in terms of delay, comfort and consumption, and being easily integrated into the initially planned route for automatic tracking by the navigation and control systems of the aircraft, in order to simplify the work of the aircraft crew and considerably reduce the increase in workload that the crew undergoes in the event of an warning of a risk of medium-term collision with other aircraft.

[0018] An object of the invention is a method for the preparation of an avoidance path in a horizontal plane, for a first aircraft following a first route called an initial route, in order to resolve a conflict of traffic with a second aircraft following a second route that may be identical to the first route, on the basis of knowledge of a minimum safety distance S to be maintained between two aircraft, and of the positions X₁and X₂and of the horizontal speed vectors {right arrow over (V₁ )} and {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the two aircraft, said method comprising the following steps:

[0019] the determining of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft,

[0020] the determining, in the horizontal plane, of a circle of protection C₁around the first aircraft with the minimum safety distance S as its radius,

[0021] the testing of the intersection of the straight line bearing the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft with respect to the first one, with the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, and

[0022] in the event of the intersection of the circle of protection of the first aircraft by the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft, implying a risk of collision, namely a tendency for the separation distance between the two aircraft to get reduced until it goes below the minimum safety distance S,

[0023] the determining of the angle {right arrow over (α_b )}-{right arrow over (α_c )} at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft,

[0024] the determining of a start-of-avoidance-maneuver point P_SOMlocated on the initial route of the first aircraft and shifted downline from the current position X₁of the first aircraft,

[0025] the determining of at least one value of heading angle {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} and/or {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} to be followed by the first aircraft, without changing the horizontal speed modulus, to bring the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft at most on one of the sides {right arrow over (X₂b)}, {right arrow over (X₂c)}, of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft,

[0026] the determining of at least one collision-risk avoidance path for the first aircraft comprising a first evasive path constituted by a rectilinear segment having the start-of-avoidance-maneuver point P_SOMas its point of origin, one of the new values of heading angle Θ_1bor Θ_1cobtained at the previous step as its heading and having, as its end, a rotating point P_Tchosen beyond a point C_PA1where the separation distance between the two aircraft passes through a minimum value equal to a minimum safety distance S, and, beyond the rotating point P_T, a second homing path to the initial route.

[0027] Advantageously, the step for determining at least one new value of heading angle comprises:

[0028] a test on the oriented angle {right arrow over (φ_c )} existing between, firstly, the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and, secondly, that side {right arrow over (X₂c)} of the sides {right arrow over (X₂b)}, {right arrow over (X₂c)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, whose orientation is at the greatest distance from that of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft:

[0029] {right arrow over (φ_c )}=({right arrow over (V₂ )}, {right arrow over (X_2c )})

[0030] said test consisting in verifying the inequality: $\left|\sin \overrightarrow{{\varphi }_c}\right|<\frac{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_1}\Vert }{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}\Vert }$

[0031] and,

[0032] if this inequality is not verified,

[0033] the determining of a single value of heading angle {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} to be followed by the first aircraft, without changing the modulus of its horizontal speed vector to bring the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft to the side {right arrow over (X₂b)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, whose orientation is the closest to that of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft.

[0034] if this inequality is verified,

[0035] the determining of two new values of heading angle {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} and {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} to be followed by the first aircraft, without changing its horizontal speed modulus to bring the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft to one of the sides {right arrow over (X₂b)}, {right arrow over (X₂c)}, of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, one aircraft on one side {right arrow over (X₂b)}, the other on the other side {right arrow over (X₂c)}.

[0036] Advantageously, if more than one new value of heading angle {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} and {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} to be followed by the first aircraft, without changing its horizontal speed modulus to bring the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft to one of the sides {right arrow over (X₂b)}, {right arrow over (X₂c)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, have been determined during the step for determining at least one new value of heading angle, the step for determining at least one avoidance path consists of the determining of two avoidance paths, one for each of the two new values of heading angle {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} and {right arrow over (Θ_1c )}.

[0037] Advantageously, when the method for preparing an anti-collision avoidance path in the horizontal plane comprises a step for determining at least one avoidance path leading to the determining of more than one avoidance path, the method is supplemented by an additional step for the selection of the avoidance path to be implemented, consisting in making a choice, from among the avoidance paths, of the path that minimizes the lengthening of the initial route of the first aircraft.

[0038] Advantageously, the second homing part for homing into the initial route of an avoidance path starts, from the rotating point P_Tmarking the end of the first evasive part of this avoidance path, with a rectilinear segment following a new heading which, with respect to the heading of the initial route, has an angular divergence opposite to that of the rectilinear segment of the first evasive part of said avoidance path.

[0039] Advantageously, when the second homing part of the initial route of an avoidance path starts with a rectilinear segment, the rotating point P_Tthat makes the transition, within said avoidance part, between the end of the rectilinear segment of the first evasive part and the rectilinear segment starting the second homing part of the initial route, is chosen, on the rectilinear segment of the first evasive part, so that it is sufficiently distant from the point C_PA1where the separation distance between the two aircraft passes through a minimum equal to the minimum safety distance S so that the separation distance between the two aircraft does not go below the minimum safety distance S during the journey, by the first aircraft, on the rectilinear segment starting the second homing part of said avoidance path.

[0040] Advantageously, the modulus of the half-angle or ∥{right arrow over (α_b )}∥ or ∥{right arrow over (α_c )}∥ at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft is deduced from the relationship: $\Vert \overrightarrow{{\alpha }_b}\Vert =\Vert \overrightarrow{{\alpha }_c}\Vert =\arcsin \left(\frac{S}{\Vert \overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2}\Vert }\right)$

[0041] Advantageously, a new value of heading angle {right arrow over (Θ_1j )} to be followed by the first aircraft, without changing the horizontal speed modulus, to bring the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft on one of the sides {right arrow over (X₂b)} or {right arrow over (X₂c)}, called the envisaged side {right arrow over (X₂j)}, of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection of the first aircraft, is obtained by means of an angular relationship that links this new value of heading angle INCORPORER{right arrow over (Θ_1j )} to:

[0042] the heading {right arrow over (ψ)} of the oriented straight line linking the position X₁of the first aircraft to the position X₂of the second aircraft,

[0043] the half-angle {right arrow over (α_i )} at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, oriented from the bisector of the angle constituted by the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂X₁ )} linking the position X₂of the second aircraft to the position X₁of the first aircraft, towards the envisaged side {right arrow over (X₂j)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, and

[0044] the oriented angle {right arrow over (γ_j )} made by the envisaged side {right arrow over (X₂j)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, with the new vector {right arrow over (V_i^j )} sought for the horizontal speed of the first aircraft in order to eliminate a risk of collision,

[0045] this angular relationship being expressed by the relationship:

[0046] {right arrow over (Θ_1j )}={right arrow over (ψ)}+{right arrow over (α_j )}+{right arrow over (γ_j )}+2kπ

[0047] it being known that:

[0048] k is an integer,

[0049] the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel^j)} of the second aircraft with respect to the first aircraft, when it travels through the envisaged side {right arrow over (X₂j)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, is equal to the difference between the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and the vector sought {right arrow over (V₁^j)} for the horizontal speed of the first aircraft which, by assumption, has the same modulus as the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )} of the first aircraft: $(\begin{array}{c}\overrightarrow{V_{\mathrm{rel}}^j}=\overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_1^j}\\ \Vert \overrightarrow{V_1^j}\Vert =\Vert \overrightarrow{V_1}\Vert \end{array}$

[0050] the half-angle {right arrow over (α_j )} at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, oriented from the bisector of the angle constituted by the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂X₁ )} linking the position X₂of the second aircraft to the position X₁of the first aircraft, towards the envisaged side {right arrow over (X₂j)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, has the value: $\overrightarrow{{\alpha }_j}=\pm \arcsin \left(\frac{S}{\Vert \overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2}\Vert }\right)$

[0051] the oriented angle {right arrow over (γ_j )} made by the envisaged side {right arrow over (X₂j)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, with the new vector {right arrow over (V₁^j)} sought for the horizontal speed of the first aircraft in order to eliminate a risk of collision, is expressed as a function of the angle {right arrow over (φ_j )} oriented between, firstly, the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft, and, secondly, the envisaged side {right arrow over (X₂j)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, by the relationship: $\overrightarrow{{\gamma }_j}=\mathrm{arc}\sin \left(\frac{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}\Vert }{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_1}\Vert }\sin \left(\overrightarrow{{\varphi }_j}\right)\right)$

[0052] (An absence of definition of the arcsine signifying an impossibility of determining the new value of heading angle {right arrow over (Θ_1j )} sought.)

[0053] and

[0054] the oriented angle {right arrow over (φ_j )} between, firstly, the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft, and, secondly, the side envisaged {right arrow over (X₂j)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, is expressed by the relationship:

[0055] {right arrow over (φ_j )}={right arrow over (ψ)}+{right arrow over (α_j )}−{right arrow over (θ₂ )}+π+2kπ

[0056] the oriented angle {right arrow over (θ₂ )} being the heading of the second aircraft.

[0057] Advantageously, when the second homing part of an avoidance path starts with a rectilinear segment, the rotating point P_Tlinking the rectilinear segment of the first evasive part and the rectilinear starting segment of the second homing part of an avoidance trajectory is chosen so as to be reached by the first aircraft after a minimum period of time equal to: $t_{\mathrm{cpa}}=-\left(\frac{\left(\overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2}\right)\left(\overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_1^n}\right)}{{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_1^n}\Vert }^2}\right)$

[0058] {right arrow over (V₁ⁿ)} being the horizontal speed vector of the first aircraft when it travels through the first evasive part of its avoidance trajectory.

[0059] Advantageously, when the second homing part of an avoidance trajectory starts with a rectilinear segment, the distance D_CPA1which, on the rectilinear segment of the first evasive part of an avoidance trajectory of the first aircraft, separates the position C_PA1where the first aircraft perceives its distance from the second aircraft reach a minimum equal to the minimum safety distance S, from the position P_SOMof the beginning of the avoidance trajectory is drawn from the relationship:

[0060] D_CPA1=t_cpa×∥{right arrow over (V

[0061] with: $t_{\mathrm{cpa}}=-\left(\frac{\left(\overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2}\right)\left(\overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_1^n}\right)}{{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_1^n}\Vert }^2}\right)$

[0062] {right arrow over (V₁ⁿ)} being the horizontal speed vector of the first aircraft when it follows the rectilinear segment of the first evasive part of its avoidance trajectory.

[0063] Advantageously, when the second homing part of an avoidance trajectory starts with a rectilinear segment, the distance D_PTwhich, on the rectilinear segment of the first evasive part of the avoidance trajectory of the first aircraft, separates the position C_PA1where the first aircraft perceives its distance from the second aircraft reach a minimum equal to the minimum safety distance S, from the rotating point P_Tmarking the end of the rectilinear segment of the first part of an avoidance path, is drawn from the relationship: $D_{\mathrm{PT}}=t_{\mathrm{PT}}\times \Vert \overrightarrow{V_1}\Vert$ $\mathrm{with}\text{:}$ $t_{\mathrm{PT}}=S\times \tan \left(\frac{\overrightarrow{{\chi }_{\mathrm{EOM}}}\times \left(\overrightarrow{{\psi }_{\mathrm{SOM}}}+\pi +\overrightarrow{{\alpha }_{\mathrm{SOM}}}\right)}{2}\right)\times \frac{1}{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_{1\mathrm{SOM}}}\Vert }$

[0064] it being known that:

[0065] {right arrow over (χ_EOM )} is the heading of the relative speed vector of the second aircraft with respect to the first aircraft when the first aircraft embarks on the rectilinear segment starting the second evasive part of its avoidance trajectory,

[0066] {right arrow over (ψ_SOM )} is the heading of the oriented segment linking the position of the first aircraft with that of the second aircraft when the first aircraft is at the starting point P_SOMof the first evasive part of its avoidance trajectory,

[0067] {right arrow over (α_SOM )}, previously named {right arrow over (α_b )} or {right arrow over (α_c )}, is the half-angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft while the first aircraft is at the starting point P_SOMof the first evasive part of its avoidance path, this half-angle being oriented from the oriented segment, linking the position of the second aircraft to that of the first aircraft, towards the side of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, adopted to obtain passage of the trajectory of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft, when this first aircraft describes the rectilinear segment of the first evasive part of its avoidance trajectory, and

[0068] {right arrow over (V_1SOM )} is the horizontal speed vector adopted by the first aircraft when it follows the rectilinear segment starting the second homing part of its avoidance trajectory.

[0069] Other features and advantages of the invention shall appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of an example. This description shall be made with reference to the drawings, of which:

[0070] FIG. 1 is a graph providing a general illustration of a situation in which that is a medium-term risk of collision between two aircraft,

[0071] FIG. 2 is a graph essentially repeating the elements of the graph of FIG. 1, supplemented by the references of oriented angles and by vectors facilitating the understanding of the invention,

[0072] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the shape of an avoidance path according to the invention, enabling an aircraft describing a rectilinear portion of an initially planned route to resolve a traffic conflict with another aircraft and then home in on its initially planned route,

[0073] FIG. 4 is a graph explaining the determining of an avoidance path in the case where the aircraft, which has to make a diversion from its route and follow it, initially had a rectilinear route,

[0074] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the choice of an avoidance path when two avoidance paths are possible

[0075] FIGS. 6aand 6bare graphs showing a practical case of resolution of a situation of traffic conflict between two aircraft when one of them takes an avoidance path prepared by following the method according to the invention, and

[0076] FIG. 7 is a flow chart summarizing the main steps of the method according to the invention.

[0077] There is a risk of collision when two aircraft tend to approach each far too closely. This risk can be accessed by plotting a volume of protection around an aircraft, into which the other aircraft must not stray. The greater the volume of protection, the lower is the tolerated risk of collision. The basis on which the volume of protection is defined is rather the time taken by the protected aircraft to travel the distances that separate it, in the different directions, from the boundaries of this volume. This gives the protection volume a shape depending on the capacities of movement of the aircraft considered. However, it is assumed hereinafter, to simplify the description, that this protection volume has a circular section in the horizontal plane, centered on the aircraft because it is always possible to inscribe the horizontal section of a volume of protection of any shape in such a circle.

[0078] Furthermore, to estimate a risk of intrusion by a second aircraft into the volume of protection of a first aircraft, we consider the fact that aircraft generally follow pre-established routes constituted by a sequencing of straight segments traversed at constant speeds and joined by turn points so that, on the major part of their path, they have a constant short-term and medium-term speed vector. Monitoring the risk of collision therefore amounts to deducing the relative positions, in the near future, of the aircraft moving in the neighborhood, from the knowledge, at each point in time, of the positions and speed vectors of these aircraft, assuming that they maintain the same speed vectors, and then taking action if these foreseeable relative positions lead certain aircraft to penetrate the volume of protection of other aircraft.

[0079] Aircraft if a certain size are being increasingly equipped with onboard equipment for the prevention of imminent risks of collision. This equipment is known as TCAS equipment. The TCAS instruments make short-term forecasts of the air traffic around the aircraft into which they are fitted on the basis of the knowledge that they obtain, by co-operation between aircraft, of the positions and speed vectors of the aircraft moving in the neighborhood, and on the above-mentioned assumption of a short-term constancy of the speed vectors. As soon as a TCAS instrument makes a detection, in the vicinity of the aircraft in which it is installed, of another aircraft whose relative speed vector is oriented so as to cross the volume of protection of the aircraft in which it is installed, this instrument sends out an alarm on the risk of collision with an indication of the heading direction from which the threat of collision is coming and, as the case may be, it carries out a conflict resolution in which it designates that one of the two aircraft that must carry out an evasive maneuver and advises this aircraft on the nature of the evasive maneuver to be performed, namely: climb, descend, veer to the right or veer to the left.

[0080] It is envisaged to release flight at certain levels from the obligation to follow the routes imposed in order to enable an increase in the traffic without increasing the densities of aircraft outside the approach zones of the airports. This is the flight technique known as Free Flight. This Free Flight technique, which allows an aircraft to control its route once it reaches a certain flight level, calls for reinforced onboard anti-collision protection not only in the short term but also in the medium-term since the medium-term route conflicts between aircraft practicing Free Flight are no longer resolved by guidance from the ground. This reinforcement of the anti-collision protection may be carried out by TCAS instruments with increased sensitivity, especially as the main problem encountered by a TCAS instrument, namely the problem of false alarms, is far less acute in the Free Flight technique because this technique is envisaged only outside airports approach zones and above a certain altitude.

[0081] The crew of an aircraft has far greater liberty in the choice of an evasive maneuver to prevent a risk of medium-term collision than for a maneuver to prevent a risk of short-term collision with another aircraft. This enables it to prefer horizontal-plane route diversions rather than vertical-plane route diversions which are more difficult to manage. However, even in the horizontal plane, the possibilities of choice of route diversions are very great in number and it is not necessarily possible to spot the possibility, out of all these possibilities, that is the most advantageous in following the goals of the mission, meeting arrival time schedules, minimizing excess consumption of fuel, ensuring passenger comfort etc.

[0082] When it is warned of a medium-term risk of collision and the need for a route diversion, by an onboard instrument of the TCAS type with increased sensitivity, the crew of an aircraft is faced with a heavy overload of work when it should be carrying out a visual watch at the same time in order to spot the threatening aircraft. Furthermore, once the diversion path has been prepared by the crew of the aircraft, the path must be implemented without delay by manual piloting. This implies the disconnection of the automatic pilot which, normally, under the control of a flight management computer, provides for the automatic following of the initially planned route and can only be reconnected at the end of the diversion maneuver, when the aircraft has come back to its initial route.

[0083] A method is proposed here to prepare an avoidance path, in the horizontal plane, in order to resolve the traffic conflict that dictates a minimum detour from the initial route to stop the risk of collision and can be implemented by a flight management computer so that the crew of the aircraft, in the event of a detection of traffic conflict with another aircraft, always has an available proposal for the modification of its route that eliminates the risk of collision, brings minimum disturbance to the initial flight plan and can immediately be taken into account by the automatic pilot.

[0084] FIG. 1 gives a view, in a horizontal plane, in a relative reference system linked to a first aircraft, of a situation at a given point in time of a risk of collision with a second aircraft, it is being furthermore assumed that the distance between the flight levels of the two aircraft is not enough to eliminate every risk of collision. The first aircraft, to which the orientation reference is linked, has a fixed arbitrary position X₁in the horizontal plane and a horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )} while the second aircraft has a mobile position X₂in the horizontal plane and a horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )}. It is assumed that the first aircraft, to which the horizontal plane of depiction is linked, is the one responsible for the avoidance maneuver, the choice of that one of the two aircraft which must perform the avoidance maneuver being determined by the application of navigation rules which are part of the organization of the air traffic and are not within the scope of the present invention. The first aircraft is surrounded by a volume of protection whose section in the horizontal plane of FIG. 1 is a circle C₁centered on X₁, its radius being a minimum separation distance S for which it is sought to obtain compliance and which is chosen to be greater than or equal to the standard distance dictated by air traffic rules for the security of traffic when such a standard exists.

[0085] The horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft with respect to the first one is equal to the vector difference between the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )} of the first aircraft:

[0086] {right arrow over (V_rel )}={right arrow over (V₂ )}−{right arrow over (V₁ )}

[0087] It is borne by an oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂α)} which intercepts the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft and passes at a distance CD from the center X₁of this circle C₁smaller than the minimum stipulated separation distance S.

[0088] With the assumption commonly made for civilian aircraft having constant horizontal speed vectors in the medium and short terms, the second aircraft keeps the same horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} relative to the first aircraft on a period of time sufficient to make it certain that, if nothing is done, it will follow a path that is the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂α)} and will pass to a minimum distance CD, from the first aircraft, that is smaller than the stipulated minimum distance S. There is therefore a risk of collision greater than the risk that was acceptable when the minimum distance was set at the value S. To avoid this collision risk it is necessary, by a maneuver of the first aircraft, to bring the path of the second aircraft, relative to the first aircraft, outside the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft. Since the maneuver of the first aircraft is limited to a simple change in orientation of its horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )}, the resolution of the collision risk amounts to determining the possible change or changes of heading to be applied to the first aircraft to bring the path of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft outside the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, namely at least on the tangents {right arrow over (X₂b)} or {right arrow over (X₂c)} to the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft plotted from the position X₂of the second aircraft considered at the beginning of an avoidance maneuver.

[0089] It is always possible, by keeping the modulus ∥{right arrow over (V₁ )}∥ of the horizontal speed vector of the first aircraft but by modifying its orientation, to bring the horizontal speed vector of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft to that side {right arrow over (X₂b)} of the sides of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft having the smallest angular divergence with the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft. Indeed, this side {right arrow over (X₂b)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of first aircraft is always intersected by the circle C₂whose center is the end point f of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft linked to the position X₂of this second aircraft and whose radius is the modulus of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )} of the first aircraft because it is closer to the circle C₂than the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂α)} which initially bears the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft relative to the first one and is already intersected by this circle C₂.

[0090] However, it is not always possible, by keeping the modulus ∥{right arrow over (V₁ )}∥ of the horizontal speed vector of the first aircraft invariable but by modifying its orientation, to bring the horizontal speed vector of the second aircraft, relative to the first one, to the side {right arrow over (X₂c)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, which has the greatest angular divergence with respect to the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft. Indeed, the circle C₂whose center is the end point f of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft linked to the position X₂of the second aircraft and whose radius is the modulus of the horizontal speed vector V₁of the first aircraft, intersects this side {right arrow over (X₂c)} only if its distance from this side {right arrow over (X₂c)} is smaller than its radius. This takes place only if the sine of the oriented angle {right arrow over (φ_c )}, between the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and the side {right arrow over (X₂c)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, is smaller than the ratio between the modulus of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )} of the first aircraft and the modulus of the horizontal speed vector V₂of the second aircraft, namely if the following inequality is verified: $\begin{array}{cc}\left|\sin \overrightarrow{{\varphi }_c}\right|<\frac{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_1}\Vert }{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}\Vert }& \left(1\right)\end{array}$

[0091] It will be seen hereinafter that the explicit verification of this inequality is not indispensable because it is done implicitly during an attempt to determine an evasive heading for the first aircraft. This enables the horizontal speed vector of the second aircraft, relative to the first aircraft, to be brought to the side {right arrow over (X₂c)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C of the first aircraft, which has the greatest angular divergence with respect to the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft. Indeed, during such an attempt, if this inequality is not verified, the result is an impossibility of computation.

[0092] FIG. 2 is a geometrical figure illustrating the resolution of a case of collision risk with two possibilities of evasive heading, {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} and {right arrow over (Θ_1c )}, for the first aircraft, both possibilities leading the second aircraft to go outside the angle at which it perceives the circle of security C₁of the first aircraft, either to the side {right arrow over (X₂b)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, oriented most closely to its horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )}, or to the side {right arrow over (X₂c)} of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft oriented at the greatest distance from its horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )}.

[0093] The horizontal speed vector of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft is still equal to the vector difference between the horizontal speed vector of the second aircraft {right arrow over (V₂ )} which does not change since this second aircraft is not supposed to make any maneuvers, and the horizontal speed vector of the first aircraft which keeps a constant modulus ∥{right arrow over (V₁ )}∥ but has its orientation varying as a function of the changes in heading made by the first aircraft to resolve the risks of collision.

[0094] Before an avoidance maneuver by the first aircraft, the horizontal speed vector of the second aircraft relative to the first one {right arrow over (V_rel )} is equal to the vector difference between the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and the initial horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )} of the first aircraft:

[0095] {right arrow over (V_rel )}={right arrow over (V₂ )}−{right arrow over (V₁ )}

[0096] After an avoidance maneuver on the part of the first aircraft by which the path of the second aircraft is made to pass to the side {right arrow over (X₂b)} of the angle at which it perceives the circle of security C₁of the first aircraft, the side that is oriented at the closest to its horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )}, the second aircraft must have, relative to the first aircraft, a horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel^b)} which, firstly, is carried by the side X₂b of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft and, secondly, results from the vector difference between the unchanged horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and the new horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁^b)} adopted by the first aircraft after the avoidance maneuver which is distinguished from the initial horizontal speed vector initial {right arrow over (V₁ )} of the first aircraft only by its orientation:

[0097] {right arrow over (V_rel^b)}={right arrow over (V₂ )}−{right arrow over (V₁^b )}

[0098] The new horizontal speed vector V_rel^bof the second aircraft with respect to the first aircraft, after execution of the avoidance maneuver by the first aircraft, is easily obtained by geometrical construction. Indeed, when it is linked to the location X₂of the second aircraft, its end is necessarily at the crossing point between the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂b)} and the circle C₂centered at the end f of a bound vector {right arrow over (X₂f)} equal to the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and having a radius equal to the modulus of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )} of the first aircraft. The same geometrical construction gives the new horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁^b)} of the first aircraft after its avoidance maneuver.

[0099] In the same way, after an avoidance maneuver by the first aircraft by which the path of the second aircraft is made to pass to the other side {right arrow over (X₂c)} of the angle at which it perceives the circle of security of the first aircraft, on the side that is oriented at the greatest distance from its horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )}, the second aircraft must have a horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel^c)} relative to the first one which, firstly, is carried by the side X₂c of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft and which, secondly, results from the vector difference between the unchanged horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and the new horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁^c)} adopted by the first aircraft after the avoidance maneuver which is distinguished from the horizontal speed vector initial {right arrow over (V₁ )} of the first aircraft only by its orientation:

[0100] {right arrow over (V_rel^c)}={right arrow over (V₂ )}−{right arrow over (V₁^c )}

[0101] The new horizontal speed vector V_rel^cof the second aircraft with respect to that of the first one, after execution of the avoidance maneuver by the first aircraft, is easily obtained by geometrical construction. Indeed, when it is linked to the location X₂of the second aircraft, its end is necessarily at the point of intersection between the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂c)} and the circle C₂centered on the end f of a bound vector {right arrow over (X₂f)} equal to the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and having a radius equal to the modulus of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )} of the first aircraft. The same geometrical construction gives the new horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁^c)} of the first aircraft after its avoidance maneuver.

[0102] The determining of the new headings {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} and {right arrow over (Θ_1c )}, to be taken by the first aircraft after one or the other of the avoidance maneuvers to make the path of the second aircraft pass to one side or other of the sides of the angle at which it perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, can be done by geometrical construction solely on the basis of knowledge of the minimum permissible separation distance S for the two aircraft and the positions X₁and X₂and horizontal speed vectors {right arrow over (V₁ )} and {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the first and second aircraft.

[0103] The information on the position X₁and the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )} proper to an aircraft are given to it by its on-board navigation equipment. The information pertaining to the positions X₂and horizontal speed vectors {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the other aircraft moving in the vicinity of an aircraft may be obtained on board this aircraft by a technique of co-operation between aircraft, each aircraft sending the others its position and horizontal speed vector (or even, ultimately, its time of passage to the next rotating point) as is the case with TCAS equipment, or by a non-cooperative technique using onboard monitoring equipment such as a radar.

[0104] The new heading angle {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} that the first aircraft must take to bring the path of the second aircraft to the side {right arrow over (X₂b)} of the angle at which it perceives the circle of security C₁of the first aircraft, oriented as closely as possible to its horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )}, is by definition the oriented angle ({right arrow over (X₁N)}, {right arrow over (V₁^b)}), made by the new horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁^b)}, acquired by the first aircraft following its avoidance maneuver, with the direction of the geographical north {right arrow over (X₁N)}:

[0105] {right arrow over (Θ_b )}=({right arrow over (X₁N)}, {right arrow over (V₁^b)})

[0106] This oriented angle may be expressed as a function of:

[0107] the heading {right arrow over (ψ)} of the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )} linking the position X₁of the first aircraft with the position X₂of the second aircraft:

[0108] {right arrow over (ψ)}=({right arrow over (X₁N)}, {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )})

[0109] the oriented angle {right arrow over (α_b )} existing between the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂X₁ )} linking the position X₂of the second aircraft with the position X₁of the first aircraft and the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel^b)}, of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft when the collision risks are resolved and when its path follows the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂b)} indistinguishable from the side of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft:

[0110] {right arrow over (α_b)}=({right arrow over (X₂X₁ )}, V_rel^b)=({right arrow over (X₂X₁ )}, {right arrow over (X₂b)})

[0111] and of

[0112] the oriented angle {right arrow over (γ_b )} existing between the opposite −{right arrow over (V_rel^b)} of the horizontal speed vector of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft when the collision risks are resolved and when its path follows the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂b)}, which is undistinguishable from a side of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, and the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁^b)} acquired by the first aircraft following its avoidance maneuver:

[0113] {right arrow over (γ_b )}=({right arrow over (−V_rel^b)}, {right arrow over (V₁^b)})=({right arrow over (bX₂ )}, g_{b f)}

[0114] the point g_bidentifying the end of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel^b)} of the second aircraft with respect to the first aircraft after resolution of the collision risks, when this vector is linked to the position X₂of the second aircraft.

[0115] Indeed, owing to the properties of the oriented angles, we have the relationship: $\left(\overrightarrow{X_{1}N},\overrightarrow{V_1^b}\right)=\left(\overrightarrow{X_{1}N},\overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2}\right)+\left(\overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2},\overrightarrow{X_2{X}_1}\right)+\left(\overrightarrow{X_2{X}_1},\overrightarrow{X_{2}b}\right)+\left(\overrightarrow{X_{2}b},\overrightarrow{b{X}_2}\right)+\left(\overrightarrow{b{X}_2},\overrightarrow{V_1^b}\right)+2k\pi$

[0116] (k being an integer).

[0117] This relationship can also be written as follows:

[0118] {right arrow over (Θ_b )}={right arrow over (ψ)}+π+{right arrow over (α_b )}+π+{right arrow over (γ_b )}+2kπ  (2)

[0119] The oriented angles in the right-hand part of this angular relationship can all be determined from knowledge of the minimum separation distance allowed between two aircraft and of the positions and horizontal speed vectors of the two aircraft.

[0120] The heading {right arrow over (ψ_b )} of the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )} linking the position X₁of the first aircraft to the position X₂of the second aircraft is linked to the slope of this straight line which is known from the very fact that these two positions are known.

[0121] The oriented angle {right arrow over (α_b )} existing between the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂X₁ )} linking the position X₂of the second aircraft to the position X₁of the first aircraft and the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel^b)} of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft when the risks of collision are resolved and when the path of the second aircraft follows the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂b)}, which is indistinguishable from a side of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, corresponds to the half-angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft. With regard the way in which it is oriented, it has the following value: $\begin{array}{cc}\overrightarrow{{\alpha }_b}=-\arcsin \left(\frac{S}{\Vert \overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2}\Vert }\right)& \left(3\right)\end{array}$

[0122] If we take account of the properties of the triangle X₂, g_b, f, the oriented angle {right arrow over (γ_b )} may be expressed as a function of the oriented angle {right arrow over (φ_b )} existing between the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂b)} identified with a side of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft by the relationship: $\begin{array}{cc}\overrightarrow{{\gamma }_b}=\arcsin \left(\frac{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}\Vert }{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_1}\Vert }\sin \left(\overrightarrow{{\varphi }_b}\right)\right)& \left(4\right)\end{array}$

[0123] Now, the oriented angle {right arrow over (φ_b )} which has the following definition:

[0124] {right arrow over (φ_b )}=({right arrow over (V₂ )}, {right arrow over (X₂b )})

[0125] may be expressed as a function:

[0126] of the heading {right arrow over (θ₂ )} of the second aircraft:

[0127] {right arrow over (θ₂ )}=({right arrow over (XV₂ )})

[0128] of the heading {right arrow over (ψ)} of the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )} joining the position X₁of the first aircraft to the position X₂of the second aircraft:

[0129] {right arrow over (ψ)}=({right arrow over (XX₁X₂ )})

[0130] and

[0131] of the oriented angle {right arrow over (α_b )}:

[0132] {right arrow over (α_b )}=({right arrow over (X₂X₁ )}, {right arrow over (V_rel^b )})=({right arrow over (X₂X₁ )}, {right arrow over (X₂b )})

[0133] Indeed, owing to the properties of the oriented angles, we have the relationship:

[0134] ({right arrow over (V₂ )}, {right arrow over (X₂b )})=({right arrow over (V₂ )}, {right arrow over (X₂N )})+({right arrow over (X₂N )}, {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )})+({right arrow over (X₁X₂ )}, {right arrow over (X₂X₁ )})+({right arrow over (X₂X₁)}, {right arrow over (X₂b)})+2kπ

[0135] (k being an integer)

[0136] This relationship can also be written as follows:

[0137] {right arrow over (φ_b )}={right arrow over (θ₂ )}+{right arrow over (ψ)}+π+{right arrow over (α_b )}+2kπ  (5)

[0138] Since the angles in the right-hand part of the above relationship can all be determined from the knowledge of the positions and horizontal speed vectors of the two aircraft, and from the minimum permissible separation distance between two aircraft, the angle {right arrow over (φ_b )} is determined too. Consequently, it is enough to make a trace-back to the previous relationships to be able to determine the value of the new heading {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} that the first aircraft must be made to adopt in order to eliminate the risks of collision by bringing the path of the second aircraft to the side {right arrow over (X₂b)} of the angle at which it perceives the circle of protection of the first aircraft, this side {right arrow over (X₂b)} being the closest in the orientation of its horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )}. This value of the new heading {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} is determined through the simple knowledge of the positions and horizontal speed vectors of the aircraft and the minimum permissible separation distance between two aircraft.

[0139] A similar process of reasoning is used to determine the value of the new heading {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} that the first aircraft must be made to adopt in order to eliminate the risks of collision by bringing the path of the second aircraft to the side {right arrow over (X₂c)} of the angle at which it perceives the circle of protection of the first aircraft, this side {right arrow over (X₂c)} being the furthest in orientation from its horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )}. The value of the new heading {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} is determined through the simple knowledge of the positions and horizontal speed vectors of the aircraft and the minimum permissible separation distance between two aircraft.

[0140] More precisely, the value of the new heading {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} which is defined by the oriented angle:

[0141] {right arrow over (Θ_c )}=({right arrow over (X₁N)}, {right arrow over (V₁^c)})

[0142] may be expressed as a function of:

[0143] the heading {right arrow over (ψ)} of the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )} linking the position X₁of the first aircraft with the position X₂of the second aircraft:

[0144] ψ=(X₁N, X₁X₂)

[0145] the oriented angle {right arrow over (α_c )} existing between the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂X₁ )} linking the position X₁of the first aircraft with the position X₂of the second aircraft and the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel^c)} of the second aircraft relative to the position X₂of the second aircraft when the collision risks are resolved and when its path follows the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂c)} that is undistinguishable from the side of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft:

[0146] {right arrow over (α_c)}=({right arrow over (X₂X₁ )}, {right arrow over (V_rel^c)})=({right arrow over (X₂X₁ )}, {right arrow over (X₂c )})

[0147] and of

[0148] the oriented angle {right arrow over (γ_c )} existing between the opposite −{right arrow over (V_rel^c)} of the horizontal speed vector of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft when the collision risks are resolved and when its path follows the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂c)} which is undistinguishable from a side of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, and the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁^c)} acquired by the first aircraft following its avoidance maneuver:

[0149] {right arrow over (γ)}=(−{right arrow over (V_rel^c)}, {right arrow over (V₁^c )})=({right arrow over (cX₂ )}, {right arrow over (g_cf )})

[0150] the point g_cidentifying, in FIG. 2, the end of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel^c)} of the second aircraft with respect to the first aircraft after resolution of the collision risks, when this vector is linked to the position X₂of the second aircraft.

[0151] Indeed, owing to the properties of the oriented angles, we have the relationship:

[0152] ({right arrow over (X₁N)}, {right arrow over (V₁^c )})=({right arrow over (X₁N)}, {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )})+({right arrow over (X₁X₂ )}, {right arrow over (X₂X₁ )})+({right arrow over (X₂X₁ )}, {right arrow over (X₂c )})+({right arrow over (X₂c )}, {right arrow over (cX₂ )}, {right arrow over (V₁^c )})+2kπ

[0153] ((k being an integer).

[0154] This relationship can also be written as follows:

[0155] {right arrow over (Θ_1c )}={right arrow over (ψ)}+π+{right arrow over (α_c )}+π+{right arrow over (γ_c )}+2kπ  (6)

[0156] The angles in the right-hand part of this angular relationship can all be determined from knowledge of the minimum permissible separation distance between two aircraft and of the positions and horizontal speed vectors of the two aircraft.

[0157] The heading {right arrow over (ψ_b )} of the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )} linking the position X₁of the first aircraft to the position X₂of the second aircraft is related to the slope of this straight line which is known from the very fact that these two positions are known.

[0158] The oriented angle {right arrow over (α_c )}, existing between the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂X₁ )} that links the position X₂of the second aircraft to the position X₁of the first aircraft and the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel^c)} of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft when the risks of collision are resolved and when the path of the second aircraft follows the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂c)} that is indistinguishable from a side of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft, corresponds to the half-angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft. With regard to its direction of orientation, it has the following value: $\begin{array}{cc}\overrightarrow{{\alpha }_c}=\arcsin \left(\frac{S}{\Vert \overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2}\Vert }\right)& \left(7\right)\end{array}$

[0159] If we take account of the properties of the triangle X₂, g_c, f, the oriented angle {right arrow over (γ_c )} may be expressed as a function of the oriented angle {right arrow over (φ_c )} existing between the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )} of the second aircraft and the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₂c)} indistinguishable from a side of the angle at which the second aircraft perceives the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft by the relationship: $\begin{array}{cc}\overrightarrow{{\gamma }_c}=\arcsin \left(\frac{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}\Vert }{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_1}\Vert }\sin \left(\overrightarrow{{\varphi }_c}\right)\right)& \left(8\right)\end{array}$

[0160] It can be seen that the above relationship has no meaning unless the arc-sine exists, namely unless the inequality:

[0161] $\left|\sin \overrightarrow{{\varphi }_c}\right|\frac{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}\Vert }{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_1}\Vert }<1$

[0162] is verified. As we have seen here above (relationship 1) it is the inequality that conditions the existence of the evasive heading {right arrow over (Θ_1c )}. Thus it is possible not to verify the existence of the evasive heading {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} before it is determined since its non-existence naturally leads to a situation where it is impossible to determine the oriented angle {right arrow over (γ_c )} which constitutes an indispensable step of the determining process.

[0163] Now, the oriented angle {right arrow over (φ_c )} which has the following definition:

[0164] {right arrow over (φ_c)}=({right arrow over (V₂ )}, {right arrow over (X₂c )})

[0165] may be expressed as a function:

[0166] of the heading {right arrow over (θ₂ )} of the second aircraft:

[0167] {right arrow over (θ₂ )}=({right arrow over (X₂N)}, {right arrow over (V₂ )})

[0168] of the heading {right arrow over (ψ)} of the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )} linking the position X₁of the first aircraft to the position X₂of the second aircraft:

[0169] {right arrow over (ψ)}=({right arrow over (X₁N)}, {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )})

[0170] and

[0171] of the oriented angle {right arrow over (α_c )}:

[0172] {right arrow over (α_c )}=({right arrow over (X₂X₁ )}, {right arrow over (V_rel^c )})=({right arrow over (X₂X₁ )}, {right arrow over (X₂c )})

[0173] Indeed, owing to the properties of the oriented angles, we have the relationship:

[0174] ({right arrow over (V₂ )}, {right arrow over (X₂c )})=({right arrow over (V₂ )}, {right arrow over (X₂N )})+({right arrow over (X₂N)}, {right arrow over (X₁X₂ )})+({right arrow over (X₁X₂ )}, {right arrow over (X₂X₁ )})+({right arrow over (X₂X₁)}, {right arrow over (X₂c )})+2kπ

[0175] (k being an integer)

[0176] This relationship can also be written as follows:

[0177] {right arrow over (φ_c )}=−{right arrow over (θ₂ )}+{right arrow over (ψ)}+π+{right arrow over (α_c )}+2kπ  (9)

[0178] Since the angles in the right-hand part of the above relationship can all be determined from the knowledge of the positions and horizontal speed vectors of the two aircraft, and from the minimum permissible separation distance between two aircraft, the angle {right arrow over (φ_c )} is determined too. Consequently, it is enough to make a trace-back along the previous relationships to be able to determine the value of the new heading {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} that the first aircraft must be made to adopt in order to eliminate the risks of collision by bringing the path of the second aircraft to the side {right arrow over (X₂c)} of the angle at which it perceives the circle of protection of the first aircraft, this side {right arrow over (X₂c)} being the furthest, in orientation, from its horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₂ )}, through the simple knowledge of the positions and horizontal speed vectors of the aircraft and the minimum permissible separation distance between two aircraft.

[0179] Once the first aircraft has adopted one of the two new heading values {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} or {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} thus determined, it is assured that the second aircraft will pass at a minimum distance at least equal to the stipulated distance S but it moves away from its initial route which it must home into at the earliest possible time without reviving risks of collision with the second aircraft.

[0180] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary full avoidance path by which an aircraft 10, travelling through a rectilinear segment 11 of an, initially planned route, firstly resolves a risk of collision with another aircraft and secondly homes in on this rectilinear segment 11 of the initially planned route at the cost of a minimum detour. This avoidance path consists of two successive rectilinear segments, a first evasive rectilinear segment 12 and a second homing rectilinear segment 13.

[0181] The first evasive rectilinear segment 12 gets detached from the straight segment 11 of the initially planned route at a point P_SOMcorresponding to the position of the aircraft at the beginning of the avoidance maneuver while a route conflict with a second aircraft giving rise to a medium-term risk of collision has been detected, one or two new heading values {right arrow over (Θ_1b )}, {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} have been computed for the resolution of the collision risk and one of them has been chosen. Its heading diverges from the heading {right arrow over (θ₁ )} of the rectilinear segment 11 of the initially planned route by an oriented angle {right arrow over (β)} corresponding to the difference between the new heading value {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} or {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} adopted for the resolution of the collision risk and the value {right arrow over (θ₁ )} of the heading of the straight segment 11 of the initially planned route:

[0182] {right arrow over (β)}={right arrow over (Θ)}−{right arrow over (θ)}

[0183] The second homing rectilinear segment 13 gets detached from the first evasive rectilinear segment 12 at a rotating point P_Tand homes in on the straight segment 11 of the initially planned route at a homing point P_EOM. Its orientation is chosen so that there is a heading difference equal to {right arrow over (−β )} with the heading of the straight segment 11 of the initially planned route.

[0184] Thus determined, the avoidance path follows the sides of an isosceles triangle whose base lies on the straight segment 11 of the initially planned route. It is entirely determined only when the position of the rotating point P_Thas been chosen.

[0185] The choice of the position of the rotating point P_Tmeets the goal of placing the greatest possible limits on the length of the avoidance path without thereby reviving the risks of collision that led to this avoidance path.

[0186] Since the new heading adopted for the evasive rectilinear segment 12 has been determined to bring the path of the threatening aircraft to one side of the angle at which this threatening aircraft perceives the circle of protection of the maneuvering aircraft 10, the distance between the two aircraft will decrease during the routing of the aircraft 10 on the evasive rectilinear segment 12, until it reaches a point C_PA1where its distance from the threatening aircraft goes through a minimum corresponding to the minimum permissible separation distance S between two aircraft. The position of this point C_PA1is easily determined because, to reach it from the point P_SOM, the maneuvering aircraft 10, takes an amount of time t_CPA1. This amount of time, as can be seen in the graph of FIG. 1, corresponds to the time needed to travel the distance X₂X₁with a speed equal to the projection, on the straight line X₂X₁of the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_rel )} of the second aircraft relative to the first one: $t_{\mathrm{CPA}}=\frac{{\Vert \overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2}\Vert }^2}{\overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2}\times \left(\overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_1}\right)}=-\left(\frac{\overrightarrow{X_1{X}_2}\times \left(\overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_1}\right)}{{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_1}\Vert }^2}\right)$ $P_{\mathrm{CPA}}=P_{\mathrm{SOM}}+t_{\mathrm{CPA}}·\overrightarrow{V_1}$

[0187] The position of the rotating point P_Ton the first evasive rectilinear segment (12FIG. 3) must be taken beyond the minimum separation point P_CPA, so as not to recreate new risks of collision with the same aircraft on the second homing rectilinear segment (13 FIG. 3). This is especially true as the aircraft would be in danger of immediate collision since the separation distance between the two aircraft is already close to the minimum permissible. It is determined so that the second aircraft does not penetrate the circle of security C₁of the first aircraft, but is tangential to it when the first aircraft travels through the second homing rectilinear segment (13FIG. 3) of its avoidance path.

[0188] The determining of this position, as can be seen in the graph of FIG. 4, is done from a horizontal plane linked to the first aircraft and already adopted for FIGS. 1 and 2. In this depiction, the first aircraft has a fixed position X₁and the second aircraft has a mobile position. When the first aircraft embarks on an avoidance path (position P_SOMin FIG. 3), the second aircraft is at the position X_2SOMand has a horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_RSOM )} relative to the first aircraft. When the first aircraft travels through the first evasive rectilinear segment (12FIG. 3) of its avoidance path, the second aircraft, moving at a constant relative speed V_RSOM, travels through the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X_RSOMn)} tangential to the circle of protection C₁of the first aircraft since the first aircraft has made the heading change necessary for this at the very outset (P_SOMFIG. 3) of its avoidance path. The second aircraft travels through the oriented straight line {right arrow over (X_RSOMn)} up to the fictitious rotating point P_T′ which corresponds to the point in time when the first aircraft makes a new change in heading to travel on the second homing rectilinear segment (13FIG. 3) of its avoidance path. Beyond the fictitious rotating point, P_T′, the second aircraft has a new relative horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_REOM )} and starts travelling through a new oriented straight line {right arrow over (P′_Tm)}, at constant relative speed {right arrow over (V_REOM )}.

[0189] The point P_Tis chosen beyond the point C_PA1where the second aircraft passes to the minimum permissible distance S from the first aircraft, so that the second homing rectilinear segment (13FIG. 3) whose heading is arbitrarily fixed at the value {right arrow over (Θ)}−2{right arrow over (β)} is in keeping with the minimum permissible separation distance S from the second aircraft. Its position is indirectly accessible by means of the position of the fictitious rotating point P_T′ which is reached at the same time by the second aircraft. Indeed, this fictitious rotating point P_T′ is at a known relative distance D_relPTfrom the point C′_PA1of the path of the second aircraft perceived from the first aircraft, corresponding to the minimum permissible separation distance between the two aircraft, travelled at a speed also known by the second aircraft.

[0190] The relative distance D_relPTis known because it can be deduced from a trigonometric relationship that implements only variables deductible from the knowledge of the positions and horizontal speed vectors of the two aircraft, and from the knowledge of the value S of the minimum permissible separation distance between two aircraft. Indeed, the relative distance D_relPTcan be expressed by the relationship:

[0191] D_relPT=∥{right arrow over (X₁C′_PA1 )}∥×tan({right arrow over (C′_PA1X₁ )}, {right arrow over (P_TX₁ )})=S×tan({right arrow over (C′_PA1X₁ )}, {right arrow over (P_TX₁ )})

[0192] Taking account of the inscribed and excribed angles, this relationship can be put in the following form $D_{\mathrm{relPT}}=S\times \tan \left(\frac{\delta }{2}\right)$ $\text{with:}$ $\overrightarrow{\delta }=\left(\overrightarrow{X_{2\mathrm{SOM}}n},\overrightarrow{P_T^{\prime }m}\right)$

[0193] The oriented angle {right arrow over (δ )}, which is between, firstly, the route {right arrow over (X_2SOMn)} followed by the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft while the first aircraft travels through the first evasive rectilinear segment (12FIG. 3) of its avoidance path and, secondly, the route P′_Tm followed by the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft while the first aircraft travels through the second homing segment (13 FIG. 3), can be expressed as a function of the heading {right arrow over (χ_EOM )} of the route P′_Tm. Indeed, we have the relationship between oriented angles: $\left(\overrightarrow{P_T{N}_3},\overrightarrow{P_{T}m}\right)=\left(\overrightarrow{P_T{N}_3},\overrightarrow{X_1{N}_2}\right)+\left(\overrightarrow{X_1{N}_2},\overrightarrow{X_1{X}_{2\mathrm{SOM}}}\right)+\left(\overrightarrow{X_1{X}_{2\mathrm{SOM}}},\overrightarrow{X_{2\mathrm{SOM}}{X}_1}\right)+\left(\overrightarrow{X_{2\mathrm{SOM}}{X}_1},\overrightarrow{X_{2\mathrm{SOM}}n}\right)+\left(\overrightarrow{X_{2\mathrm{SOM}}n},\overrightarrow{P_{T}m}\right)+2k\pi$

[0194] which is also written as follows:

[0195] {right arrow over (χ_EOM )}=0+{right arrow over (ψ_SOM )}+{right arrow over (δ)}+2kπ

[0196] {right arrow over (ψ_SOM )} being the heading of the oriented segment {right arrow over (X₁X_2SOM )} and {right arrow over (α_SOM )} being the oriented angle ({right arrow over (X_2SOMX₁ )}, {right arrow over (X_2SOMn)}), so that we have:

[0197] {right arrow over (δ)}={right arrow over (χ_EOM )}−({right arrow over (ψ_SOM )}+π+{right arrow over (α_SOM )})

[0198] The relative distance D_relPTbetween the rotating point P_T′ of the point C_PA1in a horizontal plane linked to the first aircraft can therefore be expressed by the relationship: $D_{\mathrm{relPT}}=S\times \tan \left(\frac{\overrightarrow{{\chi }_{\mathrm{EOM}}}-\left(\overrightarrow{{\psi }_{\mathrm{SOM}}}+\pi +\overrightarrow{{\alpha }_{\mathrm{SOM}}}\right)}{2}\right)$

[0199] which enables it to be determined solely from a knowledge of the positions and horizontal speed vectors of the two aircraft, and from the minimum permissible separation distance between two aircraft.

[0200] The time t_PTtaken by the second aircraft to travel the relative distance D_relPTat the speed V_RSOM, can, in its turn, be deduced purely from the knowledge of the positions and horizontal speed vectors of the two aircraft, and from the minimum permissible separation distance between two aircraft since it is equal to: $t_{\mathrm{PT}}=\frac{D_{\mathrm{relPT}}}{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_{\mathrm{RSOM}}}\Vert }$ $\text{with:}$ $\overrightarrow{V_{\mathrm{RSOM}}}=\overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_{1\mathrm{SOM}}}$

[0201] {right arrow over (V_1SOM )} being the horizontal speed vector of the first aircraft on the first rectilinear segment (12FIG. 3) of its evasive path. It is used to estimate the position of the rotating point P_Tbeyond the point C_PA1of the first evasive rectilinear segment (12FIG. 3) since it is reached by the first aircraft animated by a speed V_1SOMfor a period of time t_PTafter the point C_PA1:

[0202] D_PT=∥P_T−C_PA1∥=t_PT×∥{right arrow over (V

[0203] This ultimately gives us the expression used to compute the length of the first evasive rectilinear segment (12FIG. 3) of the avoidance path of the first aircraft and hence the position of the rotating point P_T: $\begin{array}{cc}\stackrel{\_}{X_{\mathrm{PT}}}=-\left(\frac{\left(\overrightarrow{X_{1\mathrm{SOM}}{X}_{2\mathrm{SOM}}}\right)\times \left(\overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_{1\mathrm{SOM}}}\right)}{{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_{1\mathrm{SOM}}}\Vert }^2}\right)\times \Vert \overrightarrow{V_{1\mathrm{SOM}}}\Vert +S\times \tan \left(\frac{{\overrightarrow{\chi }}_{\mathrm{EOM}}-\left({\overrightarrow{\psi }}_{\mathrm{SOM}}+\pi +{\overrightarrow{\alpha }}_{\mathrm{SOM}}\right)}{2}\right)\frac{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_{1\mathrm{SOM}}}\Vert }{{\Vert \overrightarrow{V_2}-\overrightarrow{V_{1\mathrm{SOM}}}\Vert }^2}& \left(10\right)\end{array}$

[0204] In the more general case of the resolution of medium-term risks, it is possible to determine two new heading values {right arrow over (Θ_1b )} and {right arrow over (Θ_1c )} by which the first aircraft can evade the risk of collision by a route diversion, either to one side or to the other side of its initially planned route. It is then necessary to choose between these two possibilities of route diversion which lead to two different avoidance paths. The choice is made by searching for a new heading value which leads to the route diversion

[0205] FIG. 5 illustrates the procedure for making such a choice when the avoidance paths have a homing part consisting of a rectilinear segment of the same length as the rectilinear segment constituting their first evasive part. Indeed, while it is possible to give other forms to the second homing part of the avoidance path, it is preferred to give it this shape which has already been considered with respect to FIG. 3, because it is well-suited to the resolution of medium-term risks of collision encountered while the first aircraft is travelling through the rectilinear section of its initially planned route, which is the case most frequently encountered in the Free Flight technique. Thus, an avoidance path follows the sides (12, 13FIG. 3) of an isosceles triangle whose base rests on the rectilinear segment (12FIG. 3) of the initially planned route.

[0206] FIG. 5 shows the rectilinear section 11 of the initially planned route through which the first aircraft 10 is travelling at a time when there is a medium-term risk of collision. To resolve this risk, it is planned to make a route diversion at the point P_SOMof its original route, either to portside to follow an avoidance path passing through a rotating point P_T1and joining up with the initial route at an end-of route-diversion point P_EOM1, or portside to follow an avoidance path passing through another rotating point P_T2and joining up with the initial route at another point of the route diversion P_EOM2.

[0207] The two avoidance paths, namely portside and starboard, are perfectly defined by their shapes along the sides of an isosceles triangle, by the headings of their first evasive part determined by means of the relationships (2 to 5) and (6 to 9) and by the lengths of the two segments that form them. These lengths are equal to the distances of their rotating points P_T1, and P_T2respectively, from the starting point P_SOMof the route diversion maneuver, determined by means of the relationship (10). The choice between these two paths is made so as to reduce the lengthening of the initially planned route as much as possible. To be able to do this, it is enough to compute the lengths of the two trajectories that go from the maneuver starting point of the P_SOMto the homing point P_EOM1or P_EOM2that is at the greatest distance on the initial route, one trajectory taking the portside avoidance path and the other trajectory taking the starboard avoidance path, and to compute the avoidance paths giving the shortest trajectory.

[0208] In FIG. 5, the criterion of a minimum lengthening of the initially planned route leads to preferring the portside avoidance path P_SOM, P_T1, P_EOM1to the starboard avoidance path P_SOM, P_T2, P_EOM2but this criterion is not an absolute one because cases may arise where the avoidance path leading to the minimum lengthening of the initially planned route is not practicable because it entails risks of collision with a third aircraft or because it passes through a zone to be avoided, for example of stormy zone.

[0209] The graphs of FIGS. 6aand 6bplotted in a horizontal plane with respect to an absolute reference system, show a practical example of traffic conflict resolution. Two aircraft A₁and A_ifollow concurrent initial routes 11 and 15 respectively, one aircraft A₁with a horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )}, and the other aircraft A_iwith a horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V_i )}. While the aircraft A₁is on its initial route 11, at the position X₁, and the aircraft A_iis on its initial route 15, at the position X_i, the aircraft A₁is warned of traffic conflict with the aircraft A_iand of the fact that it has no right of way and that it must resolve this conflict. Indeed, if neither of the two aircraft modifies its route and its speed vector, they will find themselves, on the parts of their routes 11 and 15 represented by crosses, with a separation distance smaller then the permissible distance S identified in FIG. 6aby circles C₁, C₁′. For example, when the aircraft A₁is at the point P_C1, on the part of this route 11 represented by small crosses, the aircraft A₁is at the point P_Tb′ of its route 15, inside its circle of protection C₁′ represented by a dashes. It is assumed that the aircraft A₁has two possible avoidance paths available to resolve this route conflict, one taking a starboard path and the other taking a portside path, that is to say that the situation is one of a conflict of routes verifying the inequality (1).

[0210] FIG. 6aillustrates the portside avoidance path by which the aircraft A₁is made to go behind the aircraft A_i. This is done by curving the route of the aircraft A₁toward the initial position X_iof the aircraft A_i. This portside avoidance trajectory consists of a first rectilinear evasive part joining the maneuver starting point P_SOM1to a rotating point P_Tbplaced to portside of the initial route and a second homing rectilinear part for homing into the initial route 11 joining the rotating point P_Tbto a point P_EOM1of the initial route 11. On the first evasive part, the distance between the two aircraft A₁and A_idiminishes until, in the vicinity of the rotating point P_Tb(to be precise the point C_PA1shown in FIG. 3), it becomes a minimum that remains above the minimum permissible separation distance S. On the second homing part for homing into the initial route, the distance between the two aircraft A₁and A_istarts increasing fairly quickly (to be precise, from a point C_PA2neighboring the rotating point P_Tbshown in FIG. 3) averting any risk of a revival of the conflict of route. The circle of protection C₁plotted in an unbroken line when the aircraft A₁and A_iare at their closest to the aircraft A₁in the vicinity of the rotating point P_Tband the aircraft A_iin the vicinity of the point P_Tb′ shows that the minimum distance between the two aircraft remains always greater than the minimum permissible separation distance.

[0211] FIG. 6billustrates the starboard avoidance path by which the aircraft A₁is made to go ahead of the aircraft A_i. This is done by curving the route of the aircraft A₁in a direction opposite that of the initial position X_iof the aircraft A_i. This starboard avoidance trajectory consists of a first rectilinear evasive part joining the start-of-maneuver point P_SOM1, to a rotating point P_Tbplaced to portside of the initial route and a second homing rectilinear part for homing into the initial route 11 joining the rotating point P_Tbto a point P_EOM1of the initial route 11. This starboard avoidance path also maintains the distance between the two aircraft at a value greater than the minimum permissible separation distance. It appears to be surer than the portside avoidance path since, from the very outset, it further slows down the rate of reduction of the distance between the two aircraft. In fact, it is more dangerous because it implies a bumping race with the other aircraft in order to overtake it. This bumping race can be won only if the test based on the inequality (1) is positive, and it most usually leads to a major detour. It will often be eliminated, during the choice based on the minimum detour but can be chosen all the same when the other avoidance path, although it is shorter, raises problems such as that of passage through undesired zones or the creation of traffic conflict with other aircraft also in the vicinity. In any case, there are times when it is the shortest path, for example, when the geometry of the initial conflict is greatly shifted off-axis to portside with paths that converge more slowly.

[0212] FIG. 7 is a flow chart summarizing the main steps of the method that has just been described during its implementation on board an aircraft A₁, for the resolution of traffic conflicts or medium-term risks of collision with other aircraft A₂, . . . , A_i, . . . , A_nmoving in the vicinity.

[0213] The first step 20 consists in periodically taking account of the flight level, the position X₁and the horizontal speed vector {right arrow over (V₁ )} of the aircraft A₁considered, which are delivered by the onboard navigation equipment of this aircraft A₁, and the flight levels, the positions X₂, . . . , X_i. . . , X_nand the horizontal speed vectors {right arrow over (V₂ )}, . . . , {right arrow over (V_i )}, . . . , {right arrow over (V_n )} of the other aircraft A₂, . . . , A_i. . . , A_nmoving in the vicinity of this aircraft A₁, which may be given by any means but above all by an piece of equipment of the TCAS type with enhanced sensitivity mounted on board the aircraft A₁.

[0214] The second step 21 consists of the detection of traffic conflicts, namely of the aircraft A₂, . . . , A_i. . . , A_n

[0215] located at the same flight level as the aircraft A₁considered which, owing to their relative horizontal speed vectors with respect to the aircraft A₁considered, are liable to approach it at distances smaller than the minimum permissible distance to provide for safety of the traffic. As indicated here above, this detection of traffic conflict is done by examining whether the oriented straight lines bearing the horizontal speed vectors of the aircraft A₂, . . . , A_i. . . , A_nwhich move at the same flight level as the aircraft A₁considered, measured relative to this aircraft, intercept a circle of protection whose center is this aircraft A₁and whose radius is the minimum permissible separation distance.

[0216] The third step 22 consists of the application, as soon as a conflict is detected between the aircraft considered A₁and another aircraft A_imoving in the vicinity, at the same flight level as itself, of the navigation rules in force to find out which aircraft is responsible for carrying out the avoidance maneuver to resolve this conflict.

[0217] The fourth step 23 consists of the determining, as soon as the aircraft A₁considered is assigned the task of performing an avoidance maneuver to resolve traffic conflicts with another aircraft A_i, of whether there are one or two possible evasive headings by application of the inequality (1), and then the determining the values of the heading or of the two headings that are effectively possible for an evasion by means of the relationships (2 to 9).

[0218] The fifth step 24 consists in determining an avoidance path for each heading effectively possible for evasion obtained during the preceding step, this avoidance path enabling both the resolution of the conflict being processed and the homing in on to the initially planned route, this avoidance path being built in two parts: a first evasive part constituted by a rectilinear segment having the possible heading for an evasion considered and going from a point P_SOMof the initial route adopted for the start of the avoidance maneuver to a rotating point P_Tddetermined by means of the relationship (10), and a second homing part that goes from this rotating point P_Tto a homing point P_EOMon the initial route located downline from the start-of-avoidance-maneuver point P_SOM.

[0219] The sixth step 25 consists in making a choice, when two avoidance paths have been determined during the preceding step for the resolution of one and the same conflict, of the path corresponding to the shortest detour, this choice being made on the basis of the comparison of the lengths of the two paths leading from the point P_SOMof the initial route adopted for the start of the avoidance maneuver to the most distant homing point P_EOMon to the initial route, each of these two paths passing through one of the avoidance paths while at the same time meeting certain geographical and traffic constraints.

[0220] The seventh step consists of the presentation to the pilot, at the same time as a warning of the existence of traffic conflicts or shortly afterwards, of a proposal of a preferred avoidance path.

[0221] The eighth step 27 consists of a wait for a validation, by the pilot, of the avoidance path proposed in the previous step with a periodic updating both of the start-of-maneuver point P_SOM, which is moved so as to remain in front of the aircraft on its initial route and of the proposed avoidance path so that it still corresponds to the current situation.

[0222] The ninth step 28 consists of the adoption, after the pilot has validated the proposed avoidance path, of this avoidance path for an operation of tracking by an automatic pilot under the control of a flight management computer.

[0223] As a variant, during the fourth step 23, it is not determined whether there are one or two evasive headings possible but two evasive headings are determined systematically in taking the risk that one of the two determined headings will be aborted.

[0224] The onboard aircraft flight management computer, whose essential function is to give the automatic pilot the speed, heading and altitude instructions by which the aircraft follows an initially planned route, advantageously takes charge of the execution of the method of aircraft traffic conflict resolution just described as a background task. As soon as the pilot validates an avoidance path, he incorporates it into the route to be followed by modifying the instructions that he gives to the automatic pilot accordingly. This avoids the need for manual piloting of the aircraft for the resolution of a traffic conflict.

[0225] In conclusion, the avoidance maneuver described here above:

[0226] Maintains the authorized separation distances between aircraft to the utmost extent, to the greatest advantage of air-traffic safety.

[0227] Minimizes the value of the heading changes for the highest degree of passenger comfort

[0228] Minimizes the number of heading changes to ensure the highest level of comfort for the operators (pilots and controllers in charge of monitoring)

[0229] minimizes the lengthening of the path and hence loss in time and excess fuel consumption

[0230] Minimizes the route diversions with respect to the initial route for the greater benefit of traffic stability (minimizing the risk of the domino effect) and of security with respect to whether or geographical phenomena.

[0231] Can easily be automated because it takes the form of the insertion of three additional rotating points in the initial flight plan of the flight management.

[0232] Furthermore, the determining of the avoidance path proposed to the pilot, which is done explicitly in making use of no iterative process whatsoever, takes a relatively constant execution time. This means that it is easy to guarantee a maximum execution time. This property is a decisive element in the context of operational acceptability of an onboard separation system because the system in charge of the resolution may be sized to guarantee a given ratio between the latency time existing from the detection of a conflict up to the instant when the conflict becomes critical, and the time needed for the resolution of the conflict.