Aircraft precision approach control system

Claim 1

A precision approach control system for an aircraft during landing, comprising: a said aircraft having a plurality of operating control surfaces thereon; b. on-board strap down inertial sensors on the aircraft for generating or allowing the derivation of flight path parameter information required by the precision approach control system, including a measurement of V the velocity vector of the aircraft, a measurement of NZ the acceleration of the aircraft normal to the velocity vector V of the aircraft, and a measurement of the aircraft flight path angle γ; c. an autosystem, responsive to output signals from said on-board strap down inertial sensors and angle of attack, for maintaining the aircraft at a predetermined angle of attack during landing thereof; d. a control system, responsive to output signals from said on-board strap down inertial sensors, for maintaining the inertial flight path angle of the aircraft constant during landing thereof; and e. a controller, operated by the pilot, for adjusting said control system for controlling the rate of change of the flight path angle of the aircraft, with the magnitude of movement of the controller being proportioned to the rate of change of the flight path angle γ of the aircraft, such that a given magnitude of movement for a given period of time results in a given change in the flight path angle γ, and after the pilot releases the controller back to a trim or neutral position, the aircraft maintains the flight path angle γ constant at the changed flight path angle, despite gusts and turbulence surrounding the aircraft which might otherwise influence its flight path.