Is there anything you feel could be improved on the planes you fly?
 

Hi,

I'm required to start a project, preferably something to do with aerospace, so I was wondering if those that fly had any thoughts on things that could be improved on, because of their practical experience.

I'd like to try and solve a real-world problem.

Thanks

The seats on the Airbus 320 family. No proper support. Horrendous cushioning. Mystery levers. Not enough recline. Useless inner armrest. Boeing has got that part nailed.

Airbus seats. one would find better in a dentist's waiting room. Awful ergonomics esp armrests.
Boeing light years ahead on this one

Lavatory in front of the locked door.

Seat cushions, no doubt. My Stressless Ekornes is wonderful. €2000. When B767 came out Boeing triumphed there seats as a revolution is design and had been developed by 'the pilots'. They were rubbish. The cushions collapsed in a few months and the companies refused to replace them. Pilots' unions did nothing. B737NG was no better. Airlines trumpet how good their pax seats are. Mega bucks spend on them. The pilots' seats are not important. It is time for a revolt. Tech log the seats and demand new cushions. It is a disgrace. Get rid of the stupid wool covers. Sweat generators.

Thanks for the suggestions. But I was thinking something more 'technical'. As an example, I have tested a new wing design on an rc plane that greatly reduces the take off speed and distance needed. I have yet to run the numbers or work out the practically of the wing, but it would be titled something along the lines of 'Redesign of Bush aircraft wing for STOL'.

As long as the wing has been proven to work for many years before I fly it I don't really care,
On the other hand the seats that were designed badly for 4 hours or less of sitting in are now totally inadequate for the new flight time targets

Sometimes CAP_A330, the real problems are not the sexy problems. STOL wings are great and all, but that's a relatively small market compared to pilot seats. As I type, my back feels like someone put hooks in my muscles and started turning. The industry as a whole does not need more STOL. We need more back support.

Airbus: Mechanically linked sidesticks.

Having flown six types with traditional linked yokes, I really like the Airbus sidesticks. But, from a pilot's point of view, I think not having them mechanically linked was a mistake.

I understand the reasons why they are not linked, but if I was designing a sidestick system, I would have them mechanically linked with a release handle somewhere suitable to unlink them in an emergency.

Otherwise one pilot does not fully know what the other is doing with the controls, and this has led to at least one horrendous and unnecessary crash. Also it is very difficult to train cadets the finer points of aircraft control because they cannot "follow through" on the controls by gently holding their yoke/sidestick while the trainer flies and demonstrates a particular manouever, e.g. flare and landing.

PS, your RC model wing might be a major breakthrough in aerodynamics, but given its increased lift, it might actually be very very draggy - something hard to asses with an RC model - and if applied to an airliner it might limit speed and range unacceptably.:ok:

Cockpit door beeper that can be cancelled by pressing the master caution switch or something. That bloody noise going off every other minute is a right pain.


@Penko, 'mysterious (seat) levers'? not that difficult to work out, surely?

Yes. An angle of attack indicator. I'd also like some harmonised controls (Embraer Ejet); the aileron loading is the worst I've ever flown with.

The A320 Series needs bigger cupholders for the flight deck. Fourbucks Venti cups don't fit well.

I'd like a decent size stand up shower in our freighters.
Also like cup holders that swivel so your coffee doesn't spill allover the circuit breaker panel as you rotate somewhat sporty.
And an espresso machine.
Oh and wifi for those long hours in the bunks.

Re-design the landing gear system on the 737 series so every landing seems smooth with no jarring. If it can be done on the Vickers Viscount which was the most consistently sweetest touch down aircraft I ever flew, surely Boeing could learn from that?:ok:

You're telling us you can't land a 73? ;)
Only took me 200 hrs to get the hang of it lol :)

improve refueling time
 

I think it takes up 30 minutes to completely refuel a Boeing737. The maximum rate is 1,136 ltr/min. The 737 can hold around 23000 liters. For an Airbus A380 that would take a good deal more time. But if the fuel pipe coupling with the tank could be enlarged, then that would presumably allow the refueling time to be reduced, which would improve turn-around times....