Re: Future of Electronics In Aviation

On Jun 19, 1:35=A0pm, j...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> In rec.aviation.piloting Le Chaud Lapin <jaibudu...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jun 19, 1:05?pm, j...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> > > In rec.aviation.piloting Le Chaud Lapin <jaibudu...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
>
> > > > Hi All,
> > > > I have noticed that each time this subject is broached, there seem
=
to
> > > > be many who are perturbed by the idea of electronics/software
assum=
ing
> > > > a primary role (control, stabilization, etc.) in GA aircraft.
> > > > There are some who believe that electronics and software are
sorely
> > > > underutilized. ?The electronics that are used are mostly employed
i=
n
> > > > an ancillary role, like providing data to a pilot, etc.
> > > > There are others who feel that electronics should be fundamentally
> > > > integral to the design of the aircraft from the start, meaning
that
> > > > any potential op****tunity for use of electronics should be
employed=
,
> > > > as it is almost always the case that digital version of a
mechanica=
l,
> > > > analog part is better on many axes, including weight, cost,
> > > > reliability, controllability, etc.
> > > > Ken Tucker mentioned a rotary wing aircraft for his project. ?I
hav=
e
> > > > not specified what type of propulsion mechanism I have in mind for
=
my
> > > > project. Both of us feel that electronic, fly-by-wire is the
future=
 of
> > > > aviation.
> > > > What do you think?
> > > > 1. Do you think that current GA aircraft use not enough
electronics=
?
> > > > 2. Do you think that current GA aircraft use too much electronics?
> > > > 3. Do you think electronics should retain a peripheral role ?
(Garm=
in,
> > > > etc) but not be used in control paths (fly-by-wire)?
> > > > 4. What role will electronics play in aicraft designed in the year
> > > > 2108?
> > > > 5. What will the aircraft look like in 2108?
> > > > 6. Any other thoughts...
>
> > > 1. Real things cost real money.
>
> > > 2. If some gizmo in an automobile goes tits up, you coast to the
side=
 of
> > > ? ?the road and call AAA. If some gizmo in an airplane goes tits up,
> > > ? ?the outcome probably won't be as benign.
>
> > > 3. There's an old aerospace saying about certain people that goes
alo=
ng
> > > ? ?the lines of "He always seems to be able to come up the the ten
> > > ? ?thousand dollar solution to the 98 cent problem".
>
> > > 4. Have you seen a current production aircraft?
>
> > > 5. Have you seen the price tag of a current production aircraft?
>
> > > 6. Fly by wire was invented to solve the problems of huge control
> > > ? ?forces in big airplanes and instability in highly manueverable
> > > ? ?aircraft such as fighters. Neither problem exists in GA aircraft.
> > I must ask then, if one were to look at a typical GA aircraft, in the
> > year 2100, in your opinion, will it be as devoid of electro-mechanical
> > controls as it is today?
>
> Since electro-mechanical adds cost, complexity, and weight with no
> advantage, what do you think?

I think the opposite.

> > What will it look like?
>
> Like they do now.

I guess that's reasonable. It is conceivable that typical Cessna willl
look the same in 2108 as it does in 2008.

How about 2508?

Will the typical Cessna (or whatever dominant GA manufacturer make)
look roughly the same in 2508 as it does in 2008, using essentially
the same mechanical controls (wires, pulleys, bellcranks, etc.)

-Le Chaud Lapin-