The future of autopilots...
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 608
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From: Land of damp and drizzle
The future of autopilots...
http://www.rockwellcollins.com/news/...tolerance.html
Probably more useful for military aircraft at this stage, but still quite impressive!
Probably more useful for military aircraft at this stage, but still quite impressive!
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 58
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From: Corvallis, Oregon
Impressive
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
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
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Western MA
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?
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 768
Likes: 45
From: Montreal
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.
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.
