One of the first fly-by-wire (FBY) control laws was developed by Boeing for experimental use on a B-47. It had a sidestick control and was straight stick to control surface. “Stick to control surface” means there is a proportional input to the control surfaces for inputs to the controller, in this case, a sidestick. Boeing named this the C* (C star) law.
Continue reading ‘Human Factors And The Airbus Fly-By-Wire Control Laws’
Monthly Archive for December, 2011
Aerodynamic stall and flight at high angle of attack are discussed with criticism of certain stall recovery training procedures, suggestions of why these procedures were adopted and research proving them to be faulty.
Continue reading ‘Stall and High Angle of Attack’
For many years the FAA has promoted a “See and Avoid” solution to prevent mid-air collisions. To have a mid-air collision there must be zero relative bearing change between the objects (aircraft, birds, missiles, torpedoes, etc.) prior to the collision. Since change of relative bearing is not a cue, something other must cause the eye to notice a threat. It can be as simple as the threat is just very large, or it could be a bright light, preferably flashing.
Continue reading ‘See and Avoid’