Most modern aircraft have Die-By-Wire flight control systems which duplicate the functions of the old "Standard Panel" flight instruments on extremely sexy high quality displays.
These same aircraft also have video screens embedded in the seat backs.
These displays already allow passengers to view very generalised navigation and speed information.
It would be nice to have the option to call up the flight instrument display (including engine, avionics, hydraulics and fuel status) so that one can see what the aircraft's status actually is.
This option would only be available by prior booking to people who could prove they know what the instrument readings mean, and who sign an agreement not to whimper or indeed scream out loud at what they may deduce, thus alarming the other passengers. The crew would have the option to shut the display off if required.
Such an innovation mght persuade me to travel as a passenger again.-- 8th of 7, Jan 29 2003 Pilot's-eye viewscreen http://www.halfbake...7s-eye_20viewscreenFrom the HB circa Jan 01 - Related, including comments about the O'Hare incident. [bristolz, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004] EFIS/One http://www.bluemountainavionics.com/[click on products and then select the EFIS/One] [Klaatu, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004] Heh. I think it would be pretty darn dull. Also, the flight control system doesn't have much to do with the "glass cockpit.
If you wanted to liven it up and truly take advantage of the fly-by-wire system, you could cede actual flight control of the aircraft to various passengers, provided there were also joysticks in the seat backs.
To liven it up further yet, the system could be designed so that passengers could abruptly hand off control to another passenger. Imagine the hilarity of, during final approach, tapping the shoulder of the sleepy guy in the row ahead of you and saying, "Here, you've got it!" (Of course, given the circumstances I'm not at all sure anyone would be sleepy.)-- bristolz, Jan 29 2003 [bristolz] this could be an obscure form of security, how can you hijack the plane when you can't tell who is flying at any give moment?-- rbl, Jan 29 2003 Good point.-- bristolz, Jan 29 2003 There's a reasonable amount of interplay between the FCS and the displays; the system are tending toward higher levels of integration.
// actual flight control of the aircraft to various passengers //
<Gulp> No. Thankyou, but no. Having sat in the right-hand seat of a 737-200, I appreciate the complexity of the task. The thought that some other passenger with nothing more than a PPL has just had the message "YOU HAVE CONTROL" flash up on his screen would not make for a relaxing journey.
"BingBong. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome on board, the aircraft will be flown today by Nigel in seat 22 C. Nigel is fourteen, has rampant acne, and assures us that he is "quite good" at Microsoft Flight Simulator. Please fasten your seat belts and make sure that your seat backs are in the upright position with the tables stowed. The cabin crew will shortly be distributing pre-printed will forms for your convenience. Thankyou for flying with DIY Airlines and we hope you enjoy your trip with us, however brief it may turn out to be."-- 8th of 7, Jan 29 2003 // Mommy, what does that flashing red 'Say Prayers Now' light mean? //
It means someone just passed control to some half-crazed 'copter-jockey who's forgotten that you can't just stop and look around in a fixed-wing aircraft.-- 8th of 7, Jan 29 2003 I'm afraid it would simply add to passenger anxiety. I don't want to know how close we are to running out of fuel.-- RayfordSteele, Jan 29 2003 You don't have to know. Most passengers wouldn't. Shut up and watch the movie. But if we're down to our last five hundred kilos of JET A-1 I for one would like to know.-- 8th of 7, Jan 29 2003 Re: shutting off the display. I understand that the existing navigation displays were shut off on 9/11 when flights already in the air were re-routed.-- beauxeault, Jan 29 2003 // . I don't fly commercial unless absolutely necessary now. //
I don't fly commercial AT ALL now for exactly the same reasons.
[IVnick8or}, as to your reason for not awarding a croissant, I draw your attention to the paragraph, "only be available .. to people who could prove they know what the instrument readings mean". That takes care of your concern, I believe.-- 8th of 7, Jan 30 2003 Many years ago, the door was broken... and I was seated in the first row of first class. I got to over veiw most of the flight. Fortunately, the weather was pretty decent. The crew couldn't manage to keep on course to even commercial pilot standards, much less ATP. Now granted, there are ATC deviations etc, but on the other hand, this was the classic case of a new private pilot chasing the needles.
When we were cleared for approach, an ILS, they at least kept us above the glideslope most of the time, but the localizer was all over the place. Fortunately, the ceilings were pretty high, but that was my last flight on that airline. I'd feel more confortable with some of my instrument students than that crew.
As such, its probably best not knowing...-- amuron, Feb 02 2003 Kinda baked. Qantas give you basic flight data on all flights from australia to england. You get video of take-off and landing, and throughout the flight you get air speed/altitude readings and maps at different scales showing the exact location of the plane. its fun for about 30 minutes until you realise that a watched pot never boils and you have about 25 hours left to fly.-- sambwiches, Feb 02 2003 That is such a cool idea! I am a pilot myself, and I would find that more entertaining than observing how close small airports are clustered together and not spread out (booooooring.......). I think that is a smart idea.-- slaperoo2, Dec 25 2003 Count me in !
I know almost nothing about flying, but I'd pay extra to ride with Nigel and take my turn....this would take the boring out of any flight....
[the message "YOU HAVE CONTROL" flash up ].....I love this idea....I'd certainly stay sober if I knew that could happen at any moment....I'm imagining the shrieking of the grandma next to me when it happens to her-- normzone, Dec 25 2003 As a pilot, it would make the flight more enjoyable and interesting. I normally take my GPS with me on flights and can watch as we zip along the map. It shows speed and altitude also.
Flights a 'few' years back would normally carry a running commentary from the pilot on landmarks and interesting things. These days it is quite boring.
I think an EFIS/One <link> in every seatback would be interesting for those who wanted to pay extra. Have a credit card slot similar to the airphones. Since I do not drink, it would make another way for the airlines to get my money.-- Klaatu, Dec 25 2003 random, halfbakery