RAPCON-control tower coordination system

Details RAPCON-control tower coordination system RAPCON-control tower coordination system

1976-01-08

1977-02-01

Habecker, Thomas B.

Communications: electrical

Selective

Having indication or alarm

3402131, G08G 112, G08B 2500

Patent

active

040064468

ABSTRACT:
A visual communication system using color coded lights through which the RAPCON facility at an airport keeps the control tower informed as to the status of aircraft under its control. Three approach zones based on distance from the runway are defined by the colors white, amber, and green, green being closest to the runway. Keyboards are provided at the RAPCON and the control tower, each having three illuminated primary white, amber, and green keys and three illuminated secondary white, amber, and green keys, the primary keys representing the lead aircraft in their zones and the secondary keys representing a second aircraft, if any, in the zone. Upon entry of an aircraft into a zone, the RAPCON operator actuates a primary or secondary key for that zone, as appropriate, causing flashing illumination of the key. The control tower acknowledges by momentarily depressing the flashing key, which steadies its illumination. The RAPCON operator can cancel the illumination of a key, either flashing or steady, by redepressing the key. Provision is made for automatic cancellation of primary key illumination when the primary or secondary key of the next zone nearer the runway is actuated, and for automatic transfer of secondary key illumination, either steady or flashing, to the primary key when the primary is cancelled. An additional key, coded red to indicate an emergency situation for the lead green zone aircraft, can be actuated either by the RAPCON or the control tower, but cancelled only by the control tower. Actuation of the red key automatically cancels primary green and prevents further actuation of primary green, or transfer of secondary green, until red is cancelled.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2384352 (1945-09-01), Smith
patent: 2515633 (1950-07-01), Coley
patent: 3193814 (1965-07-01), Foster

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