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Gaugeless, Computerized Cockpits
CriX writes "There's been some work on creating a more intuitive airplane cockpit. The idea is to use graphics and symbols instead of gauges and numbers to enhance a pilot's awareness. The data shows that these are a lot easier to read under turbulence and the information easier to interpret for less experience pilots. Sweet, I love human factors engineering."
Another thing to break. Honestly, my computer breaks a lot more then my speedometer does on my car. While this is really neat and it probably set out all the things it is required to do, I'd rehter have a simple, 2-3 part blivit telling me info rather then a highly complex LCD.
Objects in the blog are closer then they ap
who pays for all the pilots to be re-trained?
who pays for all the new cockpit instruments?
thats right... I do! (think airline seat prices)
airline industry is not one that can afford to do something like this. would only be practical for boeing or airbus to do on the new planes coming off of the assembly line.
easier to interpret for less experience pilots.
:).
This is a perfect example of eliminating the need to understand how something works in order to operate it. A pilot that understands how and why his/her plane works will be a better pilot because they will be able to interpret things about their flight that are not told by the gagues. Are we really better of if we make planes that you can fly without a great deal of knowledge, understanding, and experience?
It's like having an idiot lite for your car's oil pressure instead of an oil pressure gague. The light only gives you 30-40 seconds advanced warning that you're about to destroy your engine, while the gague can potentially warn you of an upcoming problem much sooner (even if the problem is probably a broken oil pressure gague
A few comments as a pilot:
This article is SO light on details and substance that I am amazed that it was posted. Instrument flight is difficult, yes, HOWEVER, current guages provide the experiences instrument pilot with a lot of useful information.
A major concern of mine would be that the system designers replace the feedback that the old instruments provide with something that is easier to interpret, but is missing some information content that an experienced pilot would get from the traditional AI,ASI,HI,VSI + Radio Nav / GPS of today.
Flight directors and EFIS displays are excellent today, and, the new large artificial horizon display that can been seen in the Cirrus Designs SR22 upgrade avionics, along with the traditional instrument layout (even if electronic) is a major boon to safety and reliablilty. This also has the advantage of positive transfer of training. Something that the article's system might not have, but who can tell? There wasn't a ton of information in that fluffy article.
People interested in this topic would do well to search for info on the FAA Alaska projects and 'highway in sky' instrument display systems that have been prototyped over the last few years.
As for people who are concerned about failure. Rest assured that even today, aircraft of all sizes that are certified for instrument flight have redundant gauges and systems. Even a B777 has a simple mechanical aritificial horizon and wet-compass hidden in with the electronic instruments.