Daedalean AI System Aims to Increase Safety and Reduce Pilot Workload

Eclipse Aerospace, a manufacturer of very-light jets, recently took Daedalean AI visual awareness systems for a trial run. The company aims to use AI to improve flight safety and reduce pilot workload through traffic detection, landing guidance, and runway incursion avoidance.

“Eclipse Aerospace pioneered the single pilot very light jet category, enabled through a high degree of automation and system integration designed to significantly reduce the pilot workload in a high-performance twin-engine aircraft,” commented Jerry Chambers, VP of engineering at Eclipse Aerospace. “We are constantly on the lookout for technology that we can test and integrate to further reduce the pilot workload to increase safety.”

Daedalean technology builds Situational Intelligence: the ability to comprehend the current environment and react accordingly. It uses machine-learning AI paired with real-time transmitting, aircraft-mounted cameras that can assist in landing, locating nearby aircraft, and navigating in non-GPS areas.

To evaluate Daedalean AI’s capabilities, Eclipse installed two cameras on its new 550 twin-engine jet. It is now performing detect-and-avoid flight tests above its Albuquerque, New Mexico headquarters.

Following recent advancements, the presence of AI in all aspects of business aviation has grown significantly. It has been introduced as a method to enhance efficiency, safety, and customer experience. It is used in predictive maintenance, where AI analyzes data from aircraft systems to predict potential mechanical failures, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. It can also be used in flight training to prepare pilots for various unexpected scenarios in business aviation operations.

This topic was a popular discussion point at the National Business Aviation Administration’s 2024 Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). Dr. Yemaya Bordain, President of Daedalean’s Americas business, was a speaker in several of these AI-related panels.

“Daedalean is pioneering the development of AI systems which not only offer unprecedented new capabilities but do so within regulators’ stringent guidelines,” explained Dr. Bordain. “We believe our systems are poised to be the first certified for safety-critical applications.”

FMI: www.daedalean.ai, www.eclipse.aero