The Solution:

Aircraft controls in future can only be operated by assigned persons – namely the authorised personnel themselves.

It is t e c h n i c a l l y  impossible from the beginning for unauthorised persons to get control over an aircraft.  This is only made possible since an innovative electronic system is employed that sets all standards.

The greatest risk factor – the human being – can no longer independently and intentionally cause an airplane to collide into anything and/or crash from random flight manoeuvres.   This will be explained closer with examples in the following.

The Binder Card has some striking innovations that after closer consideration of the whole system uncover the impact of this technical design.

The Binder Card function is described in detail in the examples of  Patent DE 100 64 469A l.

Practical Application of Invention Using Example Situations

The Attack:

One or more terrorists want to put an airplane under their control.  With extremely brutal and inhuman force they get into the cockpit – regardless of armoured cockpit door.

As general rule terrorists are perfectly trained for such deadly missions; hence it is quite possible to eliminate attendants and security forces on board.

Even the attempt to take over an aircraft by terrorists will be registered by interaction of the Binder Card with the electronic unit.  Immediately it is noted that no unauthorised person can take control of the aircraft.

An emergency signal is sent to a ground station at once.

·        Aircraft control is given to the autopilot by the board computer.  Flight continues within the specified flight parameters or in a safety zone at a safe altitude.  In this manner time is gained to prepare appropriate steps on the ground to get the plane back under control to stop a greater danger or even catastrophe.  In this case a ground controlled return of the aircraft via satellite (GPS) and autopilot as already today used on unmanned aircraft is possible.

·        Approaching restricted zones or sudden extreme and dangerous flight manoeuvres are technically prevented in advance.

Averting the Danger:

The technical solution offered here in advance prevents potential terrorists from gaining control over aircrafts independent of the personnel on board!

• All pilots intended for flights get person-related Binder Cards.
• Various physical characteristics are stored in the card without possibility of change or manipulation.  Besides that flight parameters can be logged in prior to takeoff, such as start and landing airports, alternative airfields and especially restricted and socalled off limit areas as well as buildings and structures like reservoirs

-         and not to forget nuclear power plants! -

• The Binder Card is inserted in a special scanner of the electronic unit by an authorised pilot and remains there until the plane stops after landing.
• The unit immediately records and compares physical characteristics and releases the aircraft controls only after agreement of set and actual data.  From here onwards the board computer communicates with the Binder Card.
• During the whole flight – among others when moving control settings – and at certain intervals various physical characteristics are constantly checked for instance by touching a scanner for fingerprint on one of the controls or analysis of requested voice sample of the pilots (also during radio communications on board or outside) or also visual check with iris scanner that could be located in any or several control instruments.

The application of the invention does not in any manner interfere with flight safety.

The constant communication between board computer and Binder Card as well as associated programming assures unhampered flight sequence, for instance during takeoff and landing, trouble on board – such as cable burning, engine trouble, etc.

Especially authorised ground facilities (e.g. military) are able to block as well as unblock the system via satellite (GPS).

Results of Invention:

A decisive advantage is that future socalled “conventional hijackers” are foiled even if the authorised pilot at gunpoint should be attempted to be forced to change his route or even crash land the plane.

Intentional crash landings in restricted areas or into structures is automatically prevented in future.

Even socalled “sleepers” who could work for airlines as authorised pilots would not be able to commit their evil work due to preprogrammed parameters.

And also not even if the pilots would be armed and a “sleeper” would eliminate the rest of the crew with his gun.

This all would be foiled by the monitoring control of the Binder Card.

Such horror scenarios as September 11, 2001 shall be unrepeatable with this invention!

Economy:

The technical application of the invention does not involve high expenditure on development work and production costs in relation to the huge use that has not yet become conscious to the people.  The same applies for the related software development.

Equipping aircraft with this technical innovation does not involve large financial investment, on the contrary:  The conversion could bring savings elsewhere.  Alone the costs of armed flight wardens would pay off soon.

When you imagine that a new era of aviation would be introduced with a comparatively low price, all cost arguments with any reasoning whatsoever could not stand as basis of refusal any longer.

The confidence of the people in flying would have an upswing instead that even greatest optimists would not have thought possible.

The technical design offered here is an effective tool against the current omnipresent terrorist threat.