THE RAINBOW OPTICAL LANDING AID.

Abstract

The report describes the Rainbow Optical Landing Aid and contains a mathematical analysis of the pilot-aircraftRainbow-geometry loop. The analysis underscores the salient characteristics of the Rainbow display which lead to precise, easily controlled landings. The Rainbow Optical Landing Aid was developed to provide the pilot with quickened glide path information by means of a colorsequence coded signal. A red-white-blue sequence tells the pilot to increase his sink rate; a red-blue-white sequence indicates that a smaller sink rate is required. A steady green informs the pilot that he is within =0.1 degree of glide path. Designed for location on the carrier deck, the Rainbow is strictly an optical-geometrical system requiring no electronics or external inputs. The experimental unit has been used at ranges up to 3.5 miles in bright sunlight, weighs less than 50 pounds, and cost less than $1,000. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0611570

Entities

People

  • Barbour Lee Perry

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Daylight
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Electronics
  • Geometry
  • Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Mathematics
  • Sequences
  • Sunlight

Readers

  • Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
  • Educational Psychology
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics