Re: Future of Electronics In Aviation

On Jun 19, 3:13=A0pm, Michael <usenetrepl...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Jun 19, 2:58=A0pm, es330td <es33...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Go try selling the FAA on the idea of eliminating EGT, CHT, MP, Oil
> Temp, Oil Pressure, and Tach in favor of a computer, and they will
> simply throw FAR's at you. =A0EGT (really TIT) required for every
> turbocharged engine. =A0MP required for engines with controllable
> props. =A0CHT required for engines with cowl flaps. =A0Oil Temp and
> Pressure and Tach always required. =A0By regulation. =A0That's all there
> is to it. =A0You're not going to replace that with a %Power gauge and
> idiot lights, but really you should be able to. =A0Then the idiot light
> could tell you to land and check the engine.

If this is true, then this is a real problem. What is there reason?

If one where computerize the sensor-monitor pair, meaning, instead of
paying $100 each for separate cockpit mechanical monitors, replace all
of them with software winodws on a conventional PC connected to
sensors via cables, would this be considered by FAA? What is
likelihood of rejection outright?

> Yet somehow in the automotive world, you get lots of wanring that your
> computer-controlled engine is failing. =A0Like idiot lights. =A0And
those
> engines are now far more reliable than they were in the analog days.
>
> Actually, I agree with you about FBW - it's not terribly useful for a
> light airplane. =A0Not for reliability reasons, but for cost reasons
> it's not terribly practical. =A0But fully electronic engine controls and
> full time autopilots really ought to be standard on a XC machine.

I agree.

I should also add that, by "electronic", I mean "computer", meaning
that, in fact, there are very little electronics to speak of.  The
sensors and actutors will certainly have electronic aspect, but the
idea is to get away from all kinds of hardware, both mechanical and
electronic, and into the software realm as quickly as possible.

The material cost of software is $0.

-Le Chaud Lapin-