The next question was how to make it practical. Commercial digital computers did not have the reliability of the Apollo Guidance Computer. A DFBW system would require more than just one or even two computers to operate with any acceptable assurance of safety. Draper, meanwhile, was also working with NASA on the guidance, navigation, and control system for an entirely new kind of aircraft: the Space Shuttle.
Employing a quad-redundant digital fly-by-wire system, the shuttle benefited from the work done during the DFBW program, which in one case identified a hardware issue with the flight computers both programs used IBM APs , and in another helped solve a potentially hazardous problem with pilot-induced oscillation that occurred during the final test flight of the Space Shuttle Enterprise.
Today, the technology features in a number of aircraft from both manufacturers. For commercial aircraft, the technology replaces heavy mechanical systems, allowing airlines to benefit from greater fuel efficiency or carry more passengers and cargo. Mechanical maintenance needs are also reduced, saving costs and time spent on upkeep and repairs of the mechanical systems and reducing the chance of failures. Even smaller aircraft are now incorporating the technology; in , the Dassault Falcon 7X became the first business jet with a DFBW system.
One of the biggest contributions to aviation to emerge from the DFBW program is the ability to support entirely new forms of aircraft, says Szalai. The enhanced control capabilities of a DFBW system allow pilots to fly aerodynamically unstable aircraft that could not be controlled otherwise.
While current aircraft are still designed as aerodynamically stable to at least some degree, unstable aircraft promise higher performance—such as increased maneuverability in fighter jets and minimized drag and increased range in civil transport—and future aircraft may capitalize on this benefit.
The F began with an analog fly-by-wire system—the first production aircraft with fly-by-wire—and later switched to DFBW controls. The benefits of digital computer vehicle control systems as demonstrated by the DFBW program are not limited to the skies, however. The electronic cruise control features found in many automobiles are enabled by drive-by-wire technology, as are antilock braking and electronic stability control systems, both of which significantly enhance safety.
Just like the rest of us, pilots rely on computers for a variety of purposes, and this includes the analog flight computers that are essentially circular slide rules used both in flight training and in the actual flying of the plane. We had an in depth analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of all the most popular flight computers used today.
We went through hundreds of user reviews and came up with this list of the best flight computers, categorized by type. The ASA CX-3 flight computer is versatile and easy to use, not to mention extremely accurate and reliable. One of its biggest advantages is that it can be a true miracle-worker when pilots take their exams, in part because the functions are set up in a way that is logical and makes sense. It is well-designed and made just for pilots, which means it knows what you need before you do!
Some of the features of this computer include reciprocal radials, a simple-to-use flight planning section, and buttons that are all in one piece so that the design is flawless and seamless. It is also a very intuitive device and offers a lot of value for the money.
In slide rule style, the ASA color E6B manual computer offers easy readability and is color-coded for ease of use, utilizing colors such as red, black, and blue for your convenience. This is a great device for calculating things such as time, distance, and temperature scales; wind correction angles; weight and volume; and even wind variations.
The color E6B can even be used with a dry erase marker on the wind side, and it makes calculating all types of numbers much easier and faster. Made for both accuracy and durability, the ASA E6B metal flight computer is a must for all students in flight school.
It is recommended by many flight instructors and comes in a slide rule style that makes it both easy to use and fast. It is much heavier and thicker than the paper version of these devices, and there are no pivot wear issues like there were with earlier versions made out of metal. The ASA E6B metal flight computer is also so sturdy that you can carry it around in a flight bag without worrying about breaking it. Most people who purchase it prefer it over an electronic computer, and it holds up well regardless of what you put it through.
In fact, the computer is so well-made that many people never move past it to purchase another type of computer, and it is designed to be with you for quite a while. This E6B computer is lightweight and neutral in color, and it performs the same functions you get when you purchase a much more expensive device. You can use it for pilot exams and in a real cockpit, and it is even sturdier than many of the metal flight computers. It is designed to make your classes and exams much easier, and it is perfect for planning flight plans and many other calculations.
This is a sturdy device that is durable and functional, allowing you to make your calculations with ease and accuracy every time. You can predict times accurately to the minute, and it is easy to read and reasonably priced as well.
Fly-by-Wire "Fly-by-wire" technology translates the pilot's actions into electronic signals, which computers use to manipulate flight controls. The computers constantly monitor pilot input and prevent the aircraft from exceeding its flight envelope, thereby increasing safety. And because fly-by-wire replaces heavy, complex mechanical linkages with lighter electrical wires, it is more efficient. Invented by NASA in the s and first used in fighter aircraft, this technology was a direct spin-off from the space program, which used fly-by-wire systems to maneuver the Apollo lunar module.
The Airbus A revolutionized commercial aviation by introducing digital fly-by-wire technology in civil airliners. Featuring a glass cockpit with a unique side-stick controller to fly the aircraft, the A set a new standard for safety and efficiency. Every new airliner designed since it entered service in has incorporated glass cockpit and fly-by-wire technology.
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