Fly By Wire Is No Longer Just For Fighter Jets And Airliners!

This video addresses the subject of active side sticks for aircraft with fly-by-wire control systems. NBAA2014 was the place to get the latest information on this technology, and ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, spent some time at Sagem Avionics Division talking with Phillipe Arnaud, the vice president of sales and marketing, about their entry into this high technology field.

As more aircraft enter the market with fly-by-wire control it’s been typical for side stick controllers to have little feel for the aircraft and limited or no crossover feel between pilots. Arnaud points out that the key advantage to the new technology they are providing is it increases feel for the airplane, and the control sticks move as if mechanically connected. It also provides a feel for what each pilot is doing if both pilots are on the side sticks at the same time.

Original attempts at sinking side stick controllers and providing feel was with a mechanical spring system. The system being developed by Sagem Avionics is computer actuated and driven through electrical motors. Arnaud said they have been flight testing this and using pilot feedback to improve the system.

This video provides an interesting insight of how computer technology can provide the pilot with tactile feel for the airplane.

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