Sun, Dec 03, 2006
Autopilot Autolands Aircraft For Incapacitated Crew
A new "uninterruptible" autopilot
developed by Boeing and patented in Canada purportedly flies and
lands the aircraft in case the crew is incapacitated.
An autopilot that can fly and land an airliner isn't new, but
one that activates itself when it senses excessive force on the
cockpit door is (the crew may also activate it manually).
Even that feature isn't as controversial as this: once
initiated, the system may not be disengaged by anyone aboard the
aircraft.
Once engaged, Boeing's system will accept directions from
ground-based controllers. The controversy stems from concerns over
what might happen should the system malfunction -- or worse, should
terrorists gain control of an aircraft from the ground.
A less-controversial system is under development in Europe.
Called Security of Aircraft in the Future European Environment
(SAFEE), the design incorporates microphones and cameras in the
cabin allowing pilots to monitor passenger activity. It also
includes digital fingerprinting and iris scans for cockpit access,
and a function tied to sensors and the flight controls preventing a
terrorist from flying an aircraft into a building.
Several companies are working together on SAFEE. Airbus has
already tested the threat detection element of the system. Pilots
may easily monitor activity in the cabin with sensitive microphones
and video cameras. The company plans a full simulation in January
of 2008.
European electronics giant Thales is developing the
anti-collision element of the system and plans to test it next
month.
Dutch firm NLR will develop biometric sensors for fingerprinting
and iris scanning. Its system will be tested next August.
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