View Full Version : Bell unveils Aircraft Lab For Future Autonomy FBW
chopper2004
7th May 2024, 21:17
Based on 429
https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/237385-bell-reveals-bell-aircraft-laboratory-for-future-autonomy-fly-by-wire-operations
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x592/img_1653_9038ca517c2486f82fe88e8b006af163b310334d.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x574/img_1654_a13978fe62385d720c122c7e4423879a62c19635.jpeg
cheers
A bit underwhelming from Bell, decomission a Bell 429, give it a new paint job, why I am not Excited?
its also 3 years late:
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-01-airbus-unveils-its-helicopter-flightlab-to-test-tomorrows
https://mediarenditions.airbus.com/deVbxCv9DT0Dc2XYtfHZLxnigqauTV2fi1Ca8LlAtTc/resize?src=kpkp://airbus/38/551/551872-r6pi027gox.jpg&w=608&h=608&t=fit
A bit underwhelming from Bell, decomission a Bell 429, give it a new paint job, why I am not Excited?
its also 3 years late:
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-01-airbus-unveils-its-helicopter-flightlab-to-test-tomorrows
https://mediarenditions.airbus.com/deVbxCv9DT0Dc2XYtfHZLxnigqauTV2fi1Ca8LlAtTc/resize?src=kpkp://airbus/38/551/551872-r6pi027gox.jpg&w=608&h=608&t=fit
Agile,
Nowhere in the Airbus press release does it mention their aircraft will have full authority Fly-by-Wire Flight Controls. There is a photo showing a side stick inceptor, with a note regarding ergonomic studies in 2022. But that is no indication that the aircraft will be FBW.
Airbus has a history of releasing press releases that are equivalent to Popular Mechanics articles on flying cars.
Conversely, Bell keeps their technology development confidential until they actually have something to show. EDAT is a good example.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jJUgmeSYox4&pp=ygUJYmVsbCBlZGF0
Agile,
Nowhere in the Airbus press release does it mention their aircraft will have full authority Fly-by-Wire Flight Controls. There is a photo showing a side stick inceptor, with a note regarding ergonomic studies in 2022. But that is no indication that the aircraft will be FBW.
Airbus has a history of releasing press releases that are equivalent to Popular Mechanics articles on flying cars.
6 months ago -
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1124/_url_http_3a_2f_2fnewatlas_brightspot_s3_amazonaws_com_2fff_ 2ffa_2fb60c96c347ff9aeae09c822a92b2_2fpm_38_643_643791_gtiwg rt8e2_png_e680e5a5d41b02d7f794fb15604c1a45bd2affd3.jpg
Using vision-based sensors, situational awareness and obstacle detection algorithms, and fly-by-wire autonomous systems, plus an advanced human-machine interface, FlightLab was able to carry out all phases from mission preparation, preflight checks, powering up, taxiing, take off, cruising, approach, and landing during a one-hour test flight. Meanwhile, the pilot monitored the flight with a tablet interface and head-worn display and could intervene if the system failed to detect obstacles and recalculate an alternate safe course.
6 months ago -
First, thank you RVDT for the additional information. So three years after the Airbus press release, the aircraft flew in FBW mode.
The Bell ALFA flew in FBW modes last year. So Agile, how is Bell three years behind?
One interesting thing about fly-by-wire (and similarly drive by wire), the technology exist and is fully matured, from the component and maybe system standpoint, you can basically buy it off the shelve.
But it is incredibly expensive!
The only way to make it cheaper is to do it in house (AKA Jason Hill style). That is what I heared from the Tesla reverse engineering of the cybertruck and its drive by wire system.
Encyclo
9th May 2024, 12:25
Some folks in Ottawa have been doing the FBW thing for a couple of DECADES now :D
https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/nrc-facilities/research-aircraft-fleet
https://nrc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2021-01/bell-412.jpg
Fly safe, Always :ok:
Some folks in Ottawa have been doing the FBW thing for a couple of DECADES now :D
https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/nrc-facilities/research-aircraft-fleet
https://nrc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2021-01/bell-412.jpg
Fly safe, Always :ok:
Good point Encyclo. The NRC 412, Airbus Flight Lab, and Bell 429 ALFA all incorporate FBW with conventional mechanical control backups.
To date, there are no civil certified FBW helicopters. The Bell 525 will be the first, hopefully this year.
gipsymagpie
9th May 2024, 22:03
Based on 429
https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/237385-bell-reveals-bell-aircraft-laboratory-for-future-autonomy-fly-by-wire-operations
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x592/img_1653_9038ca517c2486f82fe88e8b006af163b310334d.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x574/img_1654_a13978fe62385d720c122c7e4423879a62c19635.jpeg
cheers
Interesting type to use. The 429 AFCS is not a patch on the equivalent Airbus ones on H135H or H145. Maybe they should focus on making those usable rather than playing with fibre optics. I mean for a start you cannot use the beeper trim to adjust the heading mode, it doesn't recognise a heading change over 180 degree, it takes 6 button presses to do things Airbus does in two (ALT.A Vs ALT.S), you cannot preset airpseed, rate of descent, no hover mode, no automatic transition, and so on