What an informed response!
Thank you all very much for your replies, it is much appreciated.
However I fear that I have not explained my idea properly. The aim of my project is to design a product, a device that could be used within a light aircraft be it a Cessna 150 or a Seneca. The idea is that the product would be used by an individual pilot for the particular type of aircraft they fly. One element of the system is that the product is to work in real time and advise the pilot immediately that the aircraft is flown in a manner that may lead to a stall/spin. It would also advise on any other event out with normal operations. This could be making them aware of approaching airspace boundaries, danger areas etc.
The pilot would be able to download or purchase a file with their aircraft limitations such as stall speed, fuel and range etc, and install that into the computer. This computer would monitor the information coming in from the GPS for speed and position and the gyro for attitude information. I was thinking that if the GPS updates once every second that it could provide at least time to issue a warning to the pilot if the speed was decaying in order for the correct action to be taken. Not all aircraft are fitted with stall warning devices.
I am aiming to create a product that is a form of HUD, which would be much the same size as a conventional GPS that could be installed on the top of the instrument panel. The projection system itself is probably going to be a form of TOLED, a Transparent Organic Light Emitting Device that projects images and text onto a clear film. I could apply this directly to the Perspex or an extending sheet much like the screens for overhead projectors. So now I am looking at intuitive ways to get this information across and capture the pilots attention in times of stress.
Of course this brings me back to the post topic. I have never used a GPS and am at this point trying to understand exactly what they can and cant do! I believed that the GPS gives you ground speed, position, limited height information depending on satellites acquired and could work out eta’s and so on. All this information if organised and screened through a computer into an easily understood display would surely enhance situational awareness for new and inexperienced pilots? This is my market at the moment, to help build confidence and offer another level of backup almost like a safety pilot. Part of the inspiration for this project as well as my own experiences is a book I read many years ago that was part of what inspired me to learn to fly. The Shepherd by Frederick Forsyth is a story about a young RAF pilot who loses all his instruments whilst out over the North Sea. The weather has also closed in and he is unable to see a way out of this situation. It’s about that terrifying feeling of isolation and how panic can build up and quickly consume your thoughts and actions. It really is a fantastic story that epitomizes the thinking behind my project. Suffice to say, if my product could in some provide a back up of instrumentation and provide a voice to both verbally and graphically watch over the pilot I will be a very happy man!
What I am asking is, are the technologies I am proposing to use able in your opinion to provide the type of speed and accuracy to warn the pilot in sufficient time, as a conventional stall warning device would.
Once again thanks you for your time, this type of feedback from professional engineers and pilots is really invaluable to my project and a great help for my own understanding.
Many thanks again, and I look forward to your replies,
Your Buster,