Speculation: Avionics in 5-10 Years?

[TomVal]

Originally Posted by DaAV8R

Is that the front hole of a PT-22?

Yes, the rear hole did not have a clock.


The student flew and soloed from the rear seat. Communications between the student and instructor was one-way via a gosport (a speaking tube). The instructor would scream at the student via a mouthpiece. The student wore a stethoscope type of headset connected by the speaking tube. All the student could do was listen and comply with the instructions of the usually loud and highly animated instructor and then later get reamed out by the same after landing.





This was "avionics" in its purest form. Just required a pilot, a map, some roads or railroads to follow, a head on a swivel, and an understanding of colored flag or flare signals given for takeoff and landing clearances.

My Cessna 195 had a compartment where flares were ejected from the top of the aft baggage compartment to signal overhead a field for a night landing.

From the 1950's through the early 70's, the rate of change in avionics was relatively slow. Now days every 3 weeks your latest panel upgrade becomes functionally obsolete and has an immediate adverse affect on aircraft valuation. You read about it all the time, some VAF'er is now on his third panel upgrade in a 4 year old airplane. Gads...yes, my cockpit is now glass...but I sure do miss the good old days...you just kicked the tires and lit the fire...now I have to read a manual for about an hour before I fly anywhere.

[Norman CYYJ]

Maybe in a few years we won't have panels, there will be a couple wires going to quick connectors on temples giving the instructions to us directly thus keeping our eyes outside the flight deck watching for planes with the old technology. The next phase will be our autopilot reading the text messages that were mentioned earlier and then acting upon them. By then most of will be already planted and pushing up daisies.

[Steve Melton]

it's going to be heads up display. no more panels to wire and no more cutting square holes in panels. no one really likes to cut square holes anyway. just put the projector on the glare shied and speak into the mic for which screen or gauge you want to see. closest airport, just speak for it. cheapest fuel, just ask what the price is today. best $100 hamburger, just say " OK Google or OK Garmin, I'm hungry", and off you go. and the beauty with HUD is that you might actually look outside from time to time.

[Bill_H]

I mentioned this in another thread, but the way to initially learn formation flying will be with a Google Glass app that will generate the lead plane. You will also be able to do games at altitude like "fly under the virtual power lines until you find a gap" (a recurring nightmare of many pilots!). Or even training things like "CUT POWER and power-off land on the virtual airport glass-rendered at 1000 AGL"

also - Dynon and Garmin - we know you are reading - what say you?

[Jaypratt]

Nah In a few years we will just launch our RVs and send them flying. When they return! we will down load the flight data to see if? ,,, ? we had a fun or were terrified!!

[DaAV8R]

Originally Posted by DAGO

Communications between the student and instructor was one-way via a gosport (a speaking tube). The instructor would scream at the student via a mouthpiece. The student wore a stethoscope type of headset connected by the speaking tube.

I grew up in the front hole of a PT-22. I tagged along on the trip to Texarkana, TX to retrieve the airplane as a basket case. My dad restored the airplane and we attended many airshows in it. We had rigged a couple of leather helmets with a gosport and used them for communication. They worked reasonably well. I'm sure this has much to do with the reason I prefer the old school stuff to this day. All kidding aside, the old airplanes and panels really are timeless.

That seems like yesterday.

[Mike S]

Had a similar thought a few years back.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...light=EFIS+box

[LAMPSguy]

Realistically, why do you need to see any data if it is in the green? I am thinking same real-estate, but a 'pooter pays attention to the engine instruments and really only interjects them if the trend is towards an unpleasant number (some helicopters kinda do this already). If you had google glass type goggles, why put ANYTHING in the panel.

[aerhed]

I think it's an open question because within ten years we are certain to have flying cars. That's what they say.

[DaveLS]

No more talking except for emergencies.

Local VFR fun flights just hit local, and return to base when ready to land.

For trips:

Input trip on the map (aircraft 'knows' it capabilities/parameters), FAA responds with confirmed or suggested alternate routing with virtual road signs that appear, altitude, heading, and airspeeed bugs that are slaved. Autopilot slave optional, but probable. You accept or try again.

Each road sign / instruction is acknowledged with an acceptance or rejection button press. Plus the aircraft is being watched to confirm compliance.

Routing automatically considers weather/wind, airspace restrictions, and issues clearances.

Other aircraft, airports, checkpoints, are highlighted on the moving map and displays.

If control needs to talk to you they can call you direct or send you a text.

Outside of emergencies (and safety overwatch) the only human needed in the loop is the pilot.

For individuals without new equipment just keep doing it the present way, the system will know where you are and possibly your intentions.

Anyway just some thoughts.

-Dave