LOUIS HOWARD KNOTTS
Pilots at Upper Mtn Rd, Pendleton, NY

2009022, Sep 3, 2009

Jan 5, 2009

12/348654

Louis H. Knotts - North Tonawanda NY, US
Eric E. Ohmit - Eden NY, US

Calspan Corporation - Buffalo NY

G05D 1/00, B64C 13/20

701 2, 244190

The present invention is directed to a system for converting a man-rated fly-by-wire (FBW) aircraft into a remote controlled unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV). The FBW aircraft includes a FBW flight control system (FBW-FCS) configured to control aircraft control surfaces disposed on the aircraft. The system includes a controller coupled to the FBW aircraft. The controller is configured to generate substantially real-time pilot control data from at least one aircraft maneuver command. The real-time pilot control data is generated in accordance with a predetermined control law. The at least one aircraft maneuver command is derived from at least one command telemetry signal received from a remote control system not disposed on the FBW aircraft or from a pre-programmed trajectory. An FBW-FCS interface system is coupled to the controller. The FBW-FCS interface system is configured to convert the substantially real-time pilot control data into substantially real-time simulated FBW-FCS pilot control signals. The substantially real-time simulated FBW-FCS pilot control signals are configured to direct the FBW-FCS such that the FBW aircraft performs in accordance with the at least one aircraft maneuver command.

2007008, Apr 19, 2007

Sep 27, 2005

11/235829

Louis H. Knotts - North Tonawanda NY, US

G06F 19/00

701014000, 701029000, 340961000, 342036000

The present invention is directed to a virtual copilot system that includes a subscriber aircraft copiloting system configured to obtain at least one aircraft sensor parameter from the aircraft. The copiloting system also is configured to transmit an aircraft identifier and the at least one aircraft sensor parameter via a subscriber data link on a real-time basis. The aircraft copiloting system is further configured to provide two-way voice communications to an on-board user via a predetermined channel. A ground-based communications system includes at least one ground communications component configured to receive the aircraft identifier and the at least one aircraft sensor parameter from the subscriber data link. The ground communications component is also configured to provide voice communications to a ground-based user via the predetermined channel. A computer system is coupled to the ground communications component. The computer system is configured to integrate cockpit instrument panel display data corresponding to the subscriber aircraft and the at least one sensor parameter to obtain a real-time representation of the subscriber aircraft instrument panel. At least one display is coupled to the computer system and configured to display the real-time representation to the ground-based user.

2009001, Jan 8, 2009

Jun 21, 2006

11/425600

Louis H. Knotts - North Tonawanda NY, US
Eric E. Ohmit - Eden NY, US

CALSPAN CORPORATION - Buffalo NY

B64C 13/20

701 3

The present invention is directed to a control system for use on a fly-by-wire (FBW) aircraft. The system includes a controller coupled to the FBW aircraft. The controller is configured to generate a plurality of simulated pilot control signals from at least one aircraft maneuver command. The plurality of simulated pilot control signals are generated in accordance with a predetermined control law. The at least one aircraft maneuver command is derived from at least one command telemetry signal received from a remote control system not disposed on the FBW aircraft. The plurality of simulated pilot control signals are configured to direct the FBW aircraft to perform an aircraft maneuver in accordance with the at least one aircraft maneuver command.