AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR APPROACH STABILIZATION

An enhanced flight management system and flight management method directed to improved guidance in unstable approach scenarios is provided. The method includes receiving a published arrival procedure (PAP), a published glide path (PGP), landing parameters, and real-time aircraft sensor data. These inputs are processed to determine a reference approach profile and an actual approach profile, and whether the aircraft is following the reference approach profile. Approach stabilization criterion are determined, including, (i) a wind corrected air mass flight path angle (WC FPA) at the IMC; (ii) a vertical speed at the wind corrected air mass flight path angle (VS IMC); (iii) a wind corrected air mass flight path (WC FPA) angle at the VMC; and (iv) a vertical speed at the wind corrected air mass flight path angle (VS VMC). The approach stabilization criterion is used to determine, whether (a) an IMC criterion profile stabilizes the actual approach and whether (b) a VMC criterion profile stabilizes the actual approach. A display system is commanded to display the approach stabilization criterion; and, when conditions (a) and (b) occur concurrently, user selections responsive to the displayed approach stabilization criterion are processed to update the actual approach profile.