Fast Jet Display Safety
Whilst watching a video of the tragic fatal loss in September 2017 of an Italian Air Force Typhoon at an air display, I wondered if there could be a system developed for use during display flying that could have avoided such a crash and fatality. The crash does not appear to be a failure of the aircraft but due to pilot incapicitation or error. In watching this tragedy a couple of things came to mind: -
1) The aircraft systems had data that if utilised would show that the crash was approaching.
2) A fast jet pilot on the ground would probably have seen that crash coming a significant time before it happened.
3) A ground based system comparing the intended display with the actual display (e.g. via radar or onboard GPS data, inertial, etc.) would be able to spot significant deviations from the intended display and generate warnings.
With all of todays technology could not a system be produced around these points that could have avoided the crash and fatality? Both onboard and ground based systems. * I stress that these systems would only be used for display flying *.
A)
ONBOARD SYSTEM (Automatic initiation of crash avoidance or of crew escape)
The aircraft systems know what the aircraft is doing and what it is capable of doing. Put this data together with knowledge of where the ground is and that is the basis of a ground avoidance system.
Once the aircraft detects that a crash inducing position is fast approaching, would it be acceptable to have automatic initiation of recovery to a safe attitude?
If a crash is unavoidable, is it acceptable to have the aircraft automatically initiate ejection at the last second?
B)
GROUND BASED SYSTEM (Monitoring of air display and generation of warnings)
Pilot on the ground acts as observer and can command the display pilot to abort any manoeuvre.
This could be assisted by utilising point 3), a ground based system displaying warnings of deviations from the intended display (height, speed, etc.).
I have no experience of flying or of air display procedures and requirements. It just seems doubly tragic to see a pilot killed in such a way while surrounded by technology that potentially could have been utilised to have saved him.
The history of pilots staying with a doomed aircraft in a bid to save it goes back to the dawn of aviation and will continue until the end.
With advanced fast jets being both highly sophisticated and immensely expensive is it now not viable to spend the money to utilise the technology to make an advanced safety system to avoid these tragedies.
It would be of great help to get comments from fast jet pilots on the viability of such systems.