Inventors:
Eric Gustafson - Tucson AZ, US
Marlyn Zonnefeld - Tucson AZ, US
International Classification:
G01C 23/00
Abstract:
A method, article of manufacture, and a computer program product, are disclosed to control the operation of an aircraft in flight, where the aircraft comprises a database comprising the location of one or more airports, an automated flight control system, a cockpit crew interface, and a first data bus interconnecting the automated flight control system and the cockpit crew interface. Upon detecting either that one or more unauthorized persons have taken command and control of the aircraft or that the flight crew is unable to operate the aircraft, the method, article of manufacture, and/or computer program product, interrupts the first data bus while the aircraft is in flight such that no signals originating from said cockpit crew interface are received by the automated flight control system, selects a diversion airport from the database, causes the aircraft to fly to that diversion airport, and causes the aircraft to attempt to land at the diversion airport.