An aviation navigational system and method for predicting glide range for
an aircraft for specific airports and other potential emergency landing
locations in proximity to the aircraft. Information is presented to the
pilot by complementing a conventional moving map display with symbols
centered on each landing location. GPS altitude, airport elevation, and
the aircraft's glide ratio are factored into an equation to determine
glide range for each airport within proximity to the aircraft. A circular
symbol representing the glide range boundary is displayed around each
airport. Each circular symbol represents a sectional view of an imaginary
inverted cone, having the apex thereof centered on a given landing
location. The size and shape of the cone is based on the gliding
performance of the aircraft and the altitude differential between the
aircraft and the target landing location. As the altitude differential
increases the radius of the circle increases. Conversely as the altitude
differential decreases, the radius of the circle decreases. As long as
the aircraft is anywhere within any one of the three-dimensional inverted
cones displayed, as represented by one or more circles on a two
dimensional display, it can safely glide to the landing location. This
display concept is selectively referred to herein as "cones of safety."