Research applicable to commercial aircraft is briefly discussed. Display devices, fly by wire control systems, and systems compatibility are among the topics discussed

Longshore, J. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES 
FOR 
FUTURE COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTS 
J. F. Longshore 
Douglas Aircraft Company 
Long Beach, California 
First Annual NASA Aircraft Controls Workshop 
NASA Langley Research Center 
Hampton, Virginia 
October 25-27, 1983 
511 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19840012526 2020-03-22T08:18:59+00:00Z
MD-100 COCKPIT 
This photo of one of the MD-100 flight deck configurations being discussed with the airlines illustrates the 
flexibility in display formats afforded by today’s CRT technology. All of the formats shown can be 
extensively tailored to phase of flight and aircraft configuration and can be configured to provide unique 
data to the flight crews for special situations. 
512 
MD-100 PRIMARY FLIGHT DISPLAY 
This photo illustrates the typical primary flight display format. Note that this display includes all air data, 
flight control system mode annunciation, radio altitude and decision height, as well as the traditional 
attitude director functions. The navigation display on an adjacent CRT is typical of those found in recently 
certified flight management systems. 
MODE 
ANNUNICATOR 
AIRSPEED 
PREDICTOR - 
SELECTED 
AIRSPEED - 
SELECTED DECISION HEIGHT RADIO HEIGHT 
-VERTICAL SPEED 
SELECTED 
- ALTITUDE 
ALTITUDE 
- PREDICTOR 
- BAR0 SETTING 
MD-100 MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAYS 
These display formats are typical of the MD-100 subsystem displays. A synoptic system display is used 
for the fuel, pneumatic, electrical, and hydraulic systems. These can be called up by the crew. Color and 
symbology changes are used in the synoptics to identify system configuration and annunciate system 
failures. 
ENGINE PARAMETERS IN MFD 1 PHASE-OF-FLIGHT DISPLAY IN MFD 2 
514 
FLIGHT DECK/FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM CONCEPTS 
0 The objective of the ongoing NASA fault-tolerant architectural studies is to identify architectural 
concepts that have sufficient reliability for full-time fly-by-wire applications. Additional effort will 
be required to develop the methodology and criteria to be used in certifying such systems. NASA 
would function as the facilitating agency working with the air transport community and the FAA to 
define these methods and criteria. 
0 The impact of failures and the appropriate corrective action in future highly integrated fault-tolerant 
aircraft systems will be difficult to determine. Artificial intelligence (expert systems) concepts may be 
applicable to the aircraft system management computers required to manage such systems. Expert 
systems require extensive data bases to be effective. NASA research would focus on building failure 
mode and effects and degraded mode data bases and on defining and validating expert system concepts 
for aircraft system management. 
FAULT-TOLERANT CONTROL SYSTEM 
CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGY 
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/EXPERT SYSTEM 
CONCEPTS FOR AIRCRAFT SYSTEM 
CONTROL AND DISPLAY SYSTEMS 
515 
AIRCRAFT/NATIONAL AIR SPACE SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY 
0 The air transport industry has invested considerable effort in the design and development of fuel- 
saving flight management systems. To be effective, these systems must be allowed to control the 
climb, cruise, and descent flight profiles without undue air traffic control interference. The FAA is 
in the beginning phases of defining a national air space system aimed at increasing air space and 
airport capacity through the use of increased automation. This system could potentially increase air 
traffic control constraints to the detriment of efficient aircraft operation. NASA research would be 
directed at achieving maximum synergy between the desires of air transport operators to minimize 
costs and the desires of the FAA to increase air space and airport capacity. 
0 The FAA national air space system plan makes increased use of automation and assumes increased 
aircraft densities in airport approach and departure areas. NASA research would be directed at 
investigating approach and departure route saturation sensitivities to abnormal conditions such as 
weather, in-flight emergencies, etc. 
AIRCRAFT TRAFFIC CONTROL FLIGHT PROFILE 
AND PROCEDURE CONSTRAINTS 
AIRPORT/AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 
APPROACH AND DEPARTURE SATURATION 
SENSITIVITIES 
516 
DISPLAY RESEARCH 
0 The objective of the generic non-airframe peculiar display research activities would be to develop 
standard display formats that would be accepted and used by the air transport community. 
0 The objective of the display format human factors studies would be to develop standards pertaining 
to the use of colors, synoptics, etc., for communicating aircraft status and situation to the flight crew. 
GENERIC NON-AIRFRAME PECULIAR DISPLAY FORMATS 
0 PRIMARY FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS 
0 APPROACH,ROLLOUT,TAXI,TAKEOFF,AND DEPARTURE AIDS 
. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL RELATED DISPLAYS 
HUMAN FACTOR DISPLAY FORMAT STUDIES 
l FORMAT INFORMATION TRANSFER EFFICIENCY 
l WORK LOAD ANALYSIS 
l DATA REQUIREMENTS 
l COLOR STANDARDS 
517 
IL 


Research opportunities for future commercial transports

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