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View Full Version : The future of autopilots...


Pandalet
12th Jun 2008, 09:14
http://www.rockwellcollins.com/news/video/damage-tolerance.html

Probably more useful for military aircraft at this stage, but still quite impressive!

DECUFAULT
12th Jun 2008, 09:43
Great on a model...

Overdrive
12th Jun 2008, 12:09
Halfway-house-ing it in the sales pitch, "manned & unmanned" repeated several times. Final intention: totally unmanned.

Jiff
12th Jun 2008, 18:02
Extremely impressive in my opinion.

It would be interesting to know exactly how the AFCS dose this.

1. Either changing the gain or other parameters associated with that axis, i.e. roll as a result of continued response testing monitoring.

2. In the event of a response problem, an intelligent dynamic test, 3D twitch, then all axis are modified accordingly.

Jiff

Dan Reno
12th Jun 2008, 18:43
Years back, Sikorsky was rumored to be designing a full authority system for a VVIP S70 that was rumored to have been funded by a mid east customer. After basic start-up, it would fly hands-off to any pre-surveyed LZ but could RTB from any location hands-off. Anyone know the validity of this rumor?

malabo
12th Jun 2008, 20:20
The proximity of this thread to the AW139 crash in Dubai without a qualified flight crew at the controls is surely a coincidence.

Modern fighters using integrated autopilot systems are equipped with a "lifesaving" logic where they will avoid a crash by adding power and climbing. This was done to deal with the potential incapacitation of the pilot from high "G" forces during combat.

It is no large step for an automated aircraft like the AW139 to benefit from the same software. Interface with the EGPWS, and utilizing the same combination of parameters - airspeed, ROD, power settings, gear up or down, etc.- and before the aircraft hits the water the autopilot takes control and commands a climb to 2000' at Vy and levels off, maybe even takes up a heading towards the nearest airport.

It's just a few lines of software away.