FR3014233A1 - AIRCRAFT SYSTEM FOR SIGNALING THE PRESENCE OF AN OBSTACLE, AIRCRAFT AND OBSTACLE DETECTION METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aircraft system (5) (1) for signaling the presence of an obstacle during a visual flight, this system (5) comprising at least one onboard unit (10) to board an aircraft (1). ) to equip, said embedded unit (10) including an onboard database (15) which lists at least one obstacle to avoid in flight. The onboard unit (10) has an interface (20) to embark in said aircraft (1) whose function is to authorize the addition and removal of obstacles in said onboard database (15), said interface (20) ) being in communication with the on-board database (15).

Description

The present invention relates to a system for indicating the presence of an obstacle, an aircraft equipped with this system and a method for avoiding the presence of an obstacle. obstacle. The invention is therefore in the technical field of obstacle detection on board an aircraft. The simplest and freest way to fly is to fly an aircraft observing the outside environment to steer the aircraft and to avoid obstacles if necessary. The term "visual flight" qualifies this mode of piloting. A visual flight is classically authorized under certain conditions of visibility and cloud cover. Such visual flight is regulated by rules known by the acronym VFR or Visual Flight Rules in English. During a visual flight, however, a pilot may not see an obstacle or see it early enough to avoid a collision, which may lead to an incident. These obstacles may include, in particular, electrical pylons, antennas, cables such as electric cables, antenna stays, or skidding cables for example. The pilot's low awareness of the presence of these obstacles is a recurring factor of accident during visual flights. Systems are known for determining the presence of obstacles. However, these systems can be expensive and are not arranged on aircraft intended for visual flights. Indeed, the instrumentation on such aircraft can be reduced to reduce the cost of the aircraft, which does not seem compatible with the arrangement of expensive instruments to report obstacles. Conversely, aircraft are instrumentalised to allow a so-called flight instrument flight in accordance with rules known by the acronym IFR is "Instrument Flight Rules" in English A pilot performs an instrument flight in accordance with these rules IFR with the help of the instruments and possibly an air traffic control center, in order to: - maintain its aircraft in a flight-specific configuration in terms of altitude and speed, - follow a trajectory imposed by the air traffic organizations, - comply with published regulations and procedures.

An aircraft may be equipped with a system known by the acronym TAWS as "Terrain Awareness and Warning System" in English. Versions of TAWS systems specifically dedicated to be worn on rotary wing aircraft are sometimes referred to as "HTAWS".

This TAWS system is used in particular for instrument flights. A TAWS system can enable a predictive mode of operation based on the use of a terrain database and possible obstacles. The system determines the presence of an obstacle using this database, and if necessary indicates an obstacle to a pilot.

"Land" means the surface of the planet. The development of a field database can lead to the assimilation of certain obstacles on the surface of the planet, these obstacles not being considered as an obstacle but as a terrain. Therefore, "obstacle" means an object located on the surface of the planet that is not identified as not part of that surface. A TAWS system optionally allows a reactive mode of operation using sensors of the aircraft to probe the external environment and detect a potential obstacle. The detection of an obstacle triggers an alert to a pilot. These sensors may include a variometer, a radio altimeter, or a device called "glide slope" in English. TAWS systems are therefore designed primarily for use during IFR instrument flight. A TAWS system is intended to alert the pilot of an estimated collision risk based on relatively short notice. Thus, the objective of the TAWS system is not to provide a long-term anticipation to help a pilot acquire and maintain visual contact during a visual flight on the potentially most dangerous obstacle. The terrain and obstacle database is sometimes split into a terrain database providing topographic information, and a database of obstacles listing potential obstacles. The obstacle database (s) used in TAWS systems are subject to quality requirements and an expensive traceability process, particularly in view of their use during IFR instrument flight. Their updating is then carried out by competent organizations. On the other hand, aircraft are sometimes equipped with an active detection system known by the acronym OWS, or Obstacle Warning System in the English language. An OWS system may be based on the use of a sounder device probing the area of the outside environment at the front of the aircraft. This sonar device may comprise a radar, a "scanning" laser, or a laser remote sensing system known by the acronym "LIDAR" or "Light Detection and Ranging" in the English language which implements a laser light. The echoes by the sonar device make it possible to reconstruct the obstacles located in the detection zone. Consequently, the TAWS and OWS systems have the disadvantage of being expensive because of the devices and / or databases to be used. These TAWS and OWS systems can therefore hardly be implemented on an aircraft intended for visual flight. In addition, and in order to fight against wired obstacles of the cable type, a rotorcraft may be equipped with one or more cable cutters. Cable cutters are interesting and inexpensive passive solutions to avoid an accident following a collision with a cable. Cable cutters, however, are not effective against any type of obstacle, such as a crane for example. Mapping-only display systems can be used to visualize the position of topographic features and obstacles with respect to the position and orientation of the aircraft. However, these mapping systems do not necessarily have a warning means signaling an obstacle, and require an analysis of the display may take several seconds to the pilot. The document FR 2, 780,701 proposes to include measurements of the position and the instantaneous speed of an aircraft in messages broadcast by radio. A device fitted to a given aircraft flying at sight analyzes the messages broadcast by radio and the trajectory followed by this given aircraft to identify a risk of collision. A potential collision risk is reported in voice form. The document FR 2, 893,158 describes a method of constructing an obstacle database comprising topographical obstacle information from heterogeneous sources. Among these sources, document FR 2, 893,158 lists commercial databases containing topographical data on obstacles or information from various organizations responsible for listing obstacles. Document US Pat. No. 7,994,902 B2 proposes an anti-collision system in which land vehicles transmit and receive GPS information for anti-collision purposes. The present invention therefore aims to provide an innovative system and if possible inexpensive to indicate the presence of an obstacle in an aircraft, and possibly in an aircraft performing visual flights. According to the invention, an aircraft system for signaling the presence of an obstacle during a visual flight with an aircraft comprises at least one onboard unit to be loaded onto this aircraft to be equipped, this onboard unit including an onboard database which lists at least one obstacle to avoid in flight, the onboard unit includes an interface to board an aircraft whose function is to authorize the addition and removal of obstacles in the onboard database, this interface being in communication with the embedded database. In the context of a visual flight, the on-board database is not subject to the requirements applicable to an obstacle database used during an instrument flight, for example by a TAWS system. Indeed, a visual flight does not require the presence of an obstacle detection system. Therefore, the invention proposes an obstacle detection system to improve safety during a visual flight that can be inexpensive without being linked to binding requirements. In order to meet low cost objectives, this system relies in particular on the use of an on-board database. Updating a database by certified offices can be expensive. However, the invention proposes to implement an on-board database updated in flight by a pilot for example. This manual update reduces the cost of the system, and complements or corrects the onboard database. Indeed, the interface allows a crew to interact with the system by giving him the opportunity to complete the embedded database.

Advantageously, a crew can focus on the obstacles usually not listed in the usual obstacle databases. In particular, a crew can memorize in the onboard database temporary obstacles such as mobile cranes, hoisting ropes, antennas with their stay cables, or even obstacles in construction such as towers. This information comes in addition to the frozen database that can list known obstacles. Since the system relies on information contained in the onboard database to draw the attention of a pilot to an obstacle, the invention thus provides a means for improving the quality of the onboard database. The interface makes it possible, for example, for a pilot to mark the current position of the aircraft when he is near an obstacle which has not been indicated by the system, in order to memorize this obstacle in the onboard database. . This step increases the completeness of the database. In a similar way, the invention allows the pilot to remove an unduly reported obstacle. The information entered by a flight crew may be analyzed on the ground, for example by cross-checking the information entered with an aeronautical chart or a satellite image to specify the coordinates of an obstacle. This step increases the integrity of the embedded database. On the ground, an operator may for example confirm the removal of an obstacle, or may modify the coordinates of an obstacle added in flight to improve the accuracy of the onboard database. For example, these confirmation operations are performed using the embedded system.

The system offers a potentially inexpensive solution, easily integrated into an aircraft to assist a pilot during a visual flight by listing obstacles in a database that can easily be updated. The embedded database is possibly collaborative by sharing these data between several users which makes it possible to increase its completeness. It is understandable that near an obstacle, the system can signal the obstacle to a crew to draw their visual attention to the potentially most dangerous obstacle. The system then helps the pilot to gain visual contact with the potentially most dangerous element. Therefore, the system helps the pilot to maintain the obstacle in his visual journey, possibly using synthetic information relative positioning of this obstacle. In addition, the system helps the pilot adjust his course if necessary. The system may further include one or more of the following features. Thus, the embedded database may comprise a fixed database that can not be modified by said in-flight interface and a scalable database that can be modified by said interface. The frozen database is optionally updated on an ad hoc basis, while the scalable database can be updated in flight by a pilot for example. The system thus has two databases, a so-called "frozen" database updated a priori by the authorities or an authorized company, and a scalable database updated in flight in particular.

Obstacles added or removed in flight in the evolving database may be limited to opportunity obstacles such as mobile obstacles (cranes, antennas, skidding cables) or unlisted obstacles (antennas with their shrouds, tower under construction. ..). Furthermore, said embedded database includes for example a field database and / or a database of obstacles. According to the previous variant, the frozen database can therefore comprise a terrain database and / or a database of obstacles. Furthermore, the on-board unit optionally comprises a processing unit communicating with the on-board database as well as a signaling unit communicating with the processing unit and a positioning unit communicating with the processing unit. positioning unit whose function is to determine the position in the space of the aircraft equipped with the system according to the invention, the signaling unit having the function of signaling an obstacle when the processing unit 20 determines the proximity with the aircraft of an obstacle listed in the on-board database. Therefore, the system makes it possible to list obstacles in the on-board database and to determine whether the aircraft is approaching such an obstacle using the positioning unit. If necessary, synthetic information indicating the proximity of an obstacle is provided to a crew by the signaling unit. For example, the signaling unit provides a visual indication of recovery of the most dangerous obstacle located in or near the primary field viewable by a pilot in a cockpit, or oral messages describing the relative position of the obstacle by report to the aircraft. A message of the type "Obstacle at two o'clock, below" can be generated. As a result, the system is equipped with a positioning unit. This positioning unit comprises for example a positioning module known by the acronym "GPS" or "Global Positioning System" in English or any other device for positioning an aircraft in space.

The system is also equipped with a processing unit communicating with the positioning unit and the onboard database. The processing unit may for example comprise a non-volatile memory and a calculation means executing instructions stored in the non-volatile memory, such as a processor. Any device for performing a sequence of operations may be used. Thus, the processing unit has the function of determining the positioning of the obstacles listed with respect to the aircraft and its trajectory, to estimate their level of danger by taking into account the position and the trajectory of the aircraft to determine the most dangerous obstacle. In addition, this processing unit communicates with the signaling unit by usual connection means. Therefore, the processing unit informs the signaling unit of the presence of a potentially dangerous obstacle situated in the field of view of a pilot during a visual flight, so that this signaling unit informs this pilot . This signaling unit may then comprise a visual warning means and / or an audible warning means.

The information provided to a pilot is then transmitted either exclusively orally, or exclusively visually, orally and visually. The visual warning means may comprise a dedicated display screen, or not dedicated to this application. In addition, the sound medium optionally includes an embedded telephone. For example, the signaling unit includes a display that can receive and process the display requests of the processing unit, and a connection to the on-board telephone for oral indications. This display can be physically combined with the user interface. The display can then include a screen and a series of means operable by a driver constituting the interface. Buttons on the interface can be located on the edge of the screen. The screen may have a graphical representation giving the bearing of the most dangerous obstacle with respect to the orientation of the aircraft and an indication in site. Furthermore, the onboard unit may comprise a computer, this computer uniting in the same body the processing unit and the embedded database, the computer being connected to the positioning means and the interface and the signaling means. The calculator is an organ dedicated or not dedicated to this application. The computer may include a storage means storing the on-board database and instructions enabling a calculation means of the computer to update the on-board database by order of the system interface via a wired or non-wired link, and transmit signaling commands to the signaling unit via a wired or wireless link. The calculator can be a fixed computer or a mobile computer known as the "tablet" or the expression "smartphone" in English for example. The computer can also be integrated in a so-called "smart display" equipment in English, or in a partition of a modular avionics installation. An on-board unit may alternatively comprise a mobile equipment uniting in one and the same unit the processing unit as well as the on-board database, the interface and the signaling unit, said mobile equipment being connected to the positioning means. For example, the mobile equipment is a tablet comprising a memory storing the database and instructions executable by a calculation means such as a processor. The tablet is also provided with a screen and means of connection to the positioning unit and, if necessary, an on-board telephone.

The processing unit as well as the interface and the signaling unit may respectively comprise separate instruction segments. Thus, an instruction segment may require the display of a window on the display screen to materialize buttons of the interface for example. These segments may correspond to separate applications for example. In addition, the interface may comprise adjustment means for adjusting the sound volume of a signaling unit and / or a system ignition means, and / or a system test means, and / or a means for controlling the system. inhibiting at least one alerting means. An operator may, for example, manipulate the inhibiting means to inhibit visual and / or audible warning means after having required the removal of an obstacle having generated an alert. The system may further include a confirmation means for confirming on the ground the deletion and / or addition of an obstacle in the onboard database. This confirmation means can be arranged in the onboard unit. Thus, the removal of an obstacle can be final after confirmation on the ground.

An operator can consult maps to make sure there is no obstacle removed in flight. Thus, the pilot reports in flight an obstacle to be removed, and confirms the cancellation on the ground. Similarly, an operator can confirm on the ground the presence of a new obstacle, by refining the coordinates of this obstacle for example. In addition, the system may include an unembedded database that can be updated by the embedded database of an onboard unit, and that can update the embedded database of an onboard unit.

This non-embedded database may be the exclusive possession of a user, but will be preferentially shared between a plurality of users in order to make it collaborative and thus increase its completeness. The non-embedded database is then shared by being able to communicate with a plurality of separate embedded databases of a plurality of onboard units. Therefore, when the system comprises an equipment or a mobile computer, this equipment and this mobile computer can interface with the non-embedded database, and for example on a computer storing this non-embedded database. The system may also include transfer means for transferring data from an onboard database to the non-embedded database and vice versa. The transfer means makes it possible to recover the obstacles added or deleted during the flight, and to transmit or process this information with a view to updating a non-embedded, possibly non-collaborative database. An operator then connects the transfer means to the onboard database, through the processing unit for example, to allow an update of the non-embedded database. The transfer means optionally comprises a computer and a communication means communicating said onboard database and said computer, as well as said non-embedded database and said computer. The system may further include a wireless connection 20, during flight or on the ground, to exchange information between the onboard database and the transfer means or the non-embedded database. Furthermore, an onboard unit optionally includes an onboard obstacle detection device in communication with the onboard database to update the onboard database. Optionally, an onboard unit may be supplemented with an active obstacle detection device of a known type, such as a previously described device or an optical device with image analysis. This obstacle detection device is then advantageously coupled to a means of updating the onboard database, the processing unit for example. The obstacle detection device may include: - at least one camera and an associated image processing device, - an OWS device using a radar, - an OWS device using a laser, or a LIDAR, - any combination of these devices. This update can be done in real time in flight, in real time by sending the collected information to a means of transfer to the ground, or delayed time on the ground by updating the non-embedded database, for example.

In addition, the system may include a plurality of onboard units to be arranged in multiple aircraft and a single unembarked database. Furthermore, the system may comprise several onboard units, each onboard unit comprising a communication device for signaling the addition and / or removal of an obstacle to another onboard unit. In this variant, the system is also equipped with communication means between aircraft, for example a device operating by radio frequencies. This communication allows an aircraft to transmit obstacles added or removed by a crew using a user interface to another aircraft. This results in an immediate update of the equipment of the surrounding aircraft.

In addition to a system, the invention is directed to an aircraft comprising this system. The invention also relates to the obstacle detection method used. According to this method: - one embarks on board an aircraft at least one embedded unit including an onboard database that lists at least one obstacle to avoid in flight, - it allows the addition and removal of obstacles in said base embedded data in flight.

It is possible to confirm on the ground the addition and / or removal of obstacles in the on-board database 15. For example, an operator operates an add button near a new obstacle. The position of the obstacle and the date of the addition can be memorized in flight. Therefore, the obstacle is added temporarily and approximately in flight to the embedded database. On the ground, an operator can confirm the presence of the obstacle, and his coordinates for updating the embedded database and the non-embedded database where appropriate. Similarly, an operator can operate a delete button near an obstacle that is unduly reported. This delete command may be stored in flight in the onboard database, and may be accompanied by the inhibition of alerts if necessary. The position of the obstacle not observed and the date of the deletion can be memorized in flight.

On the ground, an operator can confirm the absence of the obstacle for the update of the onboard database and the non-embedded database if necessary. The invention and its advantages will appear in more detail with reference to the following description with examples for illustrative purposes with reference to the appended figures which represent: FIG. 1, a view of a system equipped with a computer and FIG. 2 is a view of a system provided with mobile equipment. The elements present in several separate figures are assigned a single reference. Figures 1 and 2 show an aircraft 1 equipped with a system 5 according to various embodiments to indicate the presence of an obstacle. The elements not belonging to the system are not shown in Figures 1 and 2. Regardless of the embodiment, the system 5 is provided with an onboard unit 10 to board each aircraft to be equipped. FIG. 1 thus shows two aircraft each equipped with an onboard unit 10, but only one onboard unit is detailed. Such an onboard unit 10 is provided with a database arranged in an aircraft, and denominated "embedded database 15". The embedded database 25 lists at least one obstacle and possibly the topology of the terrain overflown. In addition, the on-board unit 10 is provided with an interface 20. This interface 20 communicates with the on-board database to allow the addition or the removal of an obstacle in the on-board database 15. Consequently, interface 20 may comprise an add button 21 to add an obstacle in the on-board database 5 and a delete button 22 to remove an obstacle from the on-board database 15. In an innovative manner, the invention thus proposes to embark on an aircraft a database that can be modified in flight. For example, the database 15 comprises a fixed database 16 that can not be modified by the in-flight interface 20 and a scalable database 19 that can be modified by this interface 20. This fixed database 16 includes for example, a field database 17 and / or an obstacle data base 18. In addition, the on-board unit 10 is provided with a processing unit 30 connecting the on-board database 15 and the data base. 20. The processing unit 30 may include calculating means 31 executing instructions 36 stored in a non-volatile memory. This processing unit 30 is also in communication with a positioning unit 50. The positioning unit may comprise a GPS device. When an operator operates the add button 21, the interface sends an order to add an obstacle to the processing unit 30. This processing unit 30 interrogates the positioning unit to determine the spatial coordinates of the aircraft, then stores in the embedded database 15 a new obstacle associated with these coordinates.

In addition, the processing unit 30 is in connection with a signaling unit for signaling to an operator the presence of an obstacle in his field of vision. The signaling unit 40 then comprises a visual warning means 41 and / or an audible warning means 45. Such an audible warning means 45 may comprise an on-board telephone 44 and / or a connection means 43 for such a device. embedded phone. This connection means 43 may comprise a socket and / or a wired link and / or a non-wired link to the on-board telephone. The visual warning means 41 may comprise a display screen 42. By "display screen" is meant a screen as such, or a screen portion for example, or a visual indicator based on electroluminescent diodes for example. Therefore, the processing unit determines whether at least one of the obstacles stored in the embedded database is present in the field of view of a pilot for example. If so, the processing unit requests the signaling unit 40 to signal the most dangerous obstacle to a pilot. Possibly, the most dangerous obstacle is the closest obstacle to the aircraft. If the pilot does not visually identify this obstacle, the reported obstacle may no longer be physically present. An operator, including the driver, can then manipulate the delete button to require the removal of the obstacle of the embedded database. In addition, the interface may include other buttons.

Thus, the interface 20 optionally comprises a means 23 for adjusting the sound volume of an audible warning emitted by the signaling unit 40, and / or an ignition means 24 of the system and / or a test means 25 of the system. system. These means issue an order, for example, to the processing unit, this processing unit possibly communicating with the signaling unit. In addition, the interface may include an inhibiting means 27 for inhibiting at least one alerting means 41, 45. This inhibiting means may include an inhibit button operable by an operator. When an operator operates the inhibiting means 27, the interface sends an order to the processing unit 30 to inhibit the alert means.

Therefore, if a pilot does not visually identify an obstacle, an operator can then manipulate the delete button to require the removal of the obstacle of the embedded database. In addition, if an alert has been triggered, the operator can manipulate the inhibit button to inhibit the alerting means. Alternatively, the delete button and the inhibit button are merged into a single button. Furthermore, the system may comprise a confirmation means 28 for confirming on the ground the deletion and / or the addition of an obstacle in the on-board database 15. This confirmation means may comprise at least one member that can be maneuvered by a pilot, for example integrated in the interface 20.

In addition, the system 5 includes, according to the examples shown, an unembedded database 70 that can be updated by the on-board database 15 of an on-board unit 10 and to update the on-board database 15 with an onboard data base. As a result, the embedded and non-embedded databases can communicate with each other for their matching. The embedded and non-embedded databases have favorably identical structures. Thus, both embedded and embedded databases may include a fixed terrain database, a frozen obstacle database, and a scalable obstacle database.

An operator can choose the direction of information transfer, from the embedded database 15 to an unembarked database 70 or from the non-embedded database 70 to an on-board database 15. Therefore, the system may be provided with a transfer means 75 for transferring the data from an on-board database 15 to the unembarked database 70 and vice versa. This transfer means 75 comprises for example a computer 76 and a communication means 77 placing the onboard database 15 in communication with the computer 76.

The computer is then connected by usual communication means to an on-board unit, for example by sockets 78 and wired links 79 and / or wireless links to download the information from the on-board database.

This computer can also store the non-embedded database in its memory and update the databases. However, the non-embedded database can be hosted on a server that can communicate with the transfer means. Therefore, the non-embedded database 70 is favorably shared between different aircraft by being able to communicate with a plurality of separate embedded databases 10 of a plurality of on-board units 10. Therefore, the system 5 is for example provided with an aircraft unit equipped with the invention, and a single non-embedded database 70. In addition, each onboard unit 10 is optionally provided with a communication device 90 for signaling the addition and / or the removal of an obstacle to another unit 10 in flight. This communication device may be a means of wireless information transfer usual, operating by radio frequency for example. Furthermore, an on-board unit 10 may have an on-board obstacle detection device 80 in communication with the on-board database 15 for updating this on-board database 15. According to the embodiment of FIG. 25 comprises a computer 55 grouping together in the same unit the processing unit 30 and the on-board database 15. The processing unit 30 may include calculating means of the calculator and instructions stored on a storage means of the calculator . Similarly, the embedded database 15 is stored on the storage means. The processing unit communicates with the on-board database when the computing means accesses the data of the on-board database to use or modify them. This computer 55 comprises a usual communication means for communicating with the interface 20, the signaling unit 40 and the positioning means 50. Such a communication means may comprise sockets, wired links and / or non-wired links. The calculator can be an organ dedicated to this application or a non-dedicated organ. In addition, the computer can be arranged permanently on the aircraft or be mobile. The calculator of an on-board unit may optionally include a wireless communication device for communicating with another on-board unit, and / or a means of communication with an obstacle detection device. The computer 55 is furthermore connected to the positioning means 50, to the interface 20 and to the signaling means 40. Moreover, the interface 20 and the positioning means can be at least partially fused within a interface equipment. According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, an onboard unit 10 comprises a mobile unit 60 grouping together in the same unit the processing unit 30 as well as the on-board database 15, the interface 20 and the signaling unit 40.

This mobile equipment may be a tablet, or equivalent, provided with a computing means 61, a storage member 62 and a screen 63. The mobile equipment 60 is connected in particular to the positioning means 50, or the mobile equipment is provided with its own positioning means. Therefore, the processing unit is embodied by the calculating means 61 and an instruction segment 36 of the storage means. Similarly, the interface 20 is embodied by the calculating means 61 and an instruction segment 26 of the storage means.

The calculating means 61 executes this segment of instructions 26 to display a representation of the various buttons of the interface on the screen 63. The signaling unit 40 is embodied by the calculation means 61, an instruction segment 46. storage means, a window displayed on the screen 63 and a connection means 43 to an on-board telephone 44. Finally, the on-board database is stored on the storage means. If a user actuates the add button of the interface, with the aid of a pointer controlled by a finger moving on the screen for example, the calculating means 61 communicates with the positioning means via a link usual. The calculating means 61 communicates with the on-board database by requesting the storage means. If an obstacle is present in the field of view of a pilot, the computation means 61 of the processing unit executes the instructions of the instruction segment 46 of the signaling unit 40 to trigger an alert.

The mobile equipment of an onboard unit may optionally include a wireless communication device for communicating with another onboard unit, and / or a means of communication with an obstacle detection device.

Naturally, the present invention is subject to many variations as to its implementation. Although several embodiments have been described, it is well understood that it is not conceivable to exhaustively identify all the possible modes. It is of course conceivable to replace a means described by equivalent means without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (21)

REVENDICATIONS1. System (5) for an aircraft (1) for signaling the presence of an obstacle during a visual flight, this system (5) comprising at least one onboard unit (10) to be boarded in an aircraft (1) to be equipped, said embedded unit (10) including an onboard database (15) which lists at least one obstacle to be avoided in flight, characterized in that said onboard unit (10) has an interface (20) to board said aircraft (1) having function for authorizing the addition and removal of obstacles in said embedded database (15), said interface (20) being in communication with the embedded database (15). 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said embedded database (15) comprises a fixed database (16) that can not be modified by said interface (20) in flight and a scalable database (19). ) that can be modified by said interface (20). 3. System according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said frozen database (16) includes a terrain database (17) and / or a database of obstacles (18). 4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said onboard unit (10) comprises a processing unit (30) communicating with said on-board database (15) and a signaling unit ( 40) communicating with the processing unit (30) and a positioning unit (50) communicating with the processing unit (30), the positioning unit (50) having the function of determining the position in the space of the aircraft (1) equipped with the system (5), said signaling unit (40) having the function of signaling an obstacle when the processing unit (30) determines the proximity with the aircraft (1) of an obstacle listed in the embedded database (15). 5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that said signaling unit (40) comprises a visual warning means (41) and / or an audible warning means (45). 6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that said sound alert means (45) comprises an on-board telephone (44). 7. System according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that said visual warning means (41) comprises a display screen (42). 8. System according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said onboard unit (10) comprises a computer (55), said computer (55) grouping together in a same member said processing unit (30) and said embedded database (15), said computer (55) being connected to the positioning means (50) as well as to the interface (20) and the signaling means (40). 9. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said onboard unit (10) comprises a mobile equipment (60) grouping together in said same unit said processing unit (30) and said database embedded device (15) and said interface (20) and said design unit (40), said mobile equipment (60) being connected to the positioning means (50). 10. System according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said interface (20) comprises a means (23) for adjusting the sound volume of a signaling unit (40) and / or means for ignition (24) of the system and / or test means (25) of the system and / or means for inhibiting at least one warning means (41, 45). 11. System according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said system (5) comprises an unembarked database (70) that can be updated by said onboard database (15) with a embedded unit (10) and for updating said embedded database (15) of an onboard unit (10). 12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that said system comprises a transfer means (75) for transferring the data from an on-board database (15) to the unembarked database (15) and vice versa. The system of claim 12, characterized in that said transfer means (75) comprises a computer (76) and communication means (77) communicating said on-board database (15) and said computer (76). ). The system of any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said non-embedded database (70) is shared by being able to communicate with a plurality of onboard data bases (15) distinct from a plurality of on-board units (10). 15. System according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said onboard unit (10) comprises an obstacle detection device (80) embarked in communication with said on-board database (15) for putting update this embedded database (15). 16. System according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said system (5) comprises several onboard units (10) to be arranged in several aircraft and a single non-embedded database (70). 17. System according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said system comprises several on-board units (10), each on-board unit (10) comprising a communication device (90) for signaling the addition and / or or the removal of an obstacle to another onboard unit (10). 18. System according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said system comprises confirmation means (28) for confirming the ground removal and / or addition of an obstacle in said database embedded (15). 19. Aircraft (1), characterized in that said aircraft comprises a system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 18. 20. A method of detecting obstacles, characterized in that: - one embarks on board an aircraft at least one onboard unit (10) including an onboard database (15) which lists at least one obstacle to avoid in flight , - the addition and removal of obstacles in said on-board database (15) in flight is allowed. 21. An obstacle detection method according to claim 20, characterized in that it confirms the ground addition and / or removal of obstacles in said embedded database (15).