AAWSAP DIRD, Cockpits in the Era of Breakthrough Flight, November 2010

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extended arm is likely to waver. This would induce significant errors in the gesture
system.
Voice Commands
Voice commands are promising for hands-free and parallel task initiation. 45 By the time
that propulsion breakthroughs become viable, it is likely that voice-command
technology will have solved the problem of voice recognition (including when stressed)
and the problem of accommodating the myriad of ways to ask for the same thing. That
having
been
considered,
voice
commands are
projected to
be
an
excellent
augmentation to the set of other cockpit controls, particularly with the more complex
and varied instruction sets, such as navigating within gesture-based systems.
Based on lessons from human-to-human communication, however, it is advised to have
the pilot's commands repeated back to them as a form of confirmation.
Brain-Machine Interface
Although research is currently in the initial stages, 46 this study of far-future cockpits
assumes that this technology is fully matured, such that the pilots can issue commands
with their thoughts. A limiting constraint here is that only non-invasive techniques are
used (avoiding the need to modify the pilots).
Regardless of the sophistication of the technology, a weak link in these systems is the
human mind itself; that is, thoughts can wander. Much more study is required to
determine the implications of distractions, loss of concentration, fright, levels of mental
discipline, and many others.
CONTEMPORARY AIRCRAFT COCKPITS
For comparative reference, some features of contemporary aircraft cockpits are
examined next. Key displays and controls are becoming standardized, although the
placement still varies across manufacturers and models. 47 Regardless of differences,
the functions are representative of similar functions to consider for breakthrough-era
cockpits.
The layout of the Airbus A380 Flight Deck, shown in Figure 10, has major flight
functions located in specific areas.
There is a combination of fixed and adaptable
displays. The following items of interest are identified:
•
Primary flight display.
•
Navigation display.
•
Flight mode control.
•
Vehicle status indicators.
•
Joystick, throttles, and keypads.
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