Posted on 02/22/2011 4:13:50 PM PST by KeyLargo
Aircraft
DATE:18/02/11 SOURCE:Flight International Vibrating cockpit seat proposed for pilot alerts By David Kaminski-Morrow
Boeing has floated the possibility of using vibrating cockpit seats as an alternative mechanism to visual and aural indicators on the flightdeck.
Its suggestion is contained in a newly published patent document that details a proposal for a module mounted beneath the pilot's seat which, once triggered, would provide a tactile signal to the crew.
While the document mentions various types of alerts requiring immediate pilot action - such as terrain-avoidance or stall-warning alarms - it says there are several other instances during flight where the crew may need to act in a less-urgent manner, to maintain safety.
These include making position reports by voice or datalink or reporting to air traffic control before top-of-descent.
"Certain physiological factors may have an effect on the ability of the flightcrew to remain alert to perform such flight interaction tasks," it says.
It mentions the risks associated with fatigue as well as the requirement for crews to control rest periods during non-critical stages of flight.
"There exists a potential need for a system and method for alerting a flightcrew of the need to perform a task by increasing the level of stimulation that is provided to the flightcrew," it adds, although there is no indication of any immediate plans for application.
The 27 January patent document, whose authors include Boeing chief test pilot Frank Santoni, describes a mechanism comprises two travelling probes capable of vibrating at various amplitudes, frequencies and durations, depending on the nature of the required alert.
This could be pre-programmed to ensure timely intervention at specific points in the flight. But the document also shows that it could be activated, if necessary, by external interaction from air traffic control.
Boeing's document suggests the mechanism may provide overflight prevention capability. The system could also be used to obtain the attention of pilots who are not responding to radio calls.
AVIATION PING
“Talk to me, Goose.”
One more really unnecessary mechanism to malfunction during flight. I don’t want this thing stuck in the “on” during approach and landing and having the now pissed pilots trying to turn off their vibrator and taking their attention off the landing.
I agree with you. If the lights and sirens don’t get either pilots attention a seat vibrating is a waste of time, money and effort.
Use the time and effort and money for better software and hey, maybe in flight service.
Real seat-of-your-pants flying...
“Honey, this is the 8th time the plane has nose dived, I wonder if the pilot is OK.”
It doesn’t have to be a complicated affair. What my late buddy Louie did was to simply employ the stick-shaker by arc-welding the stick to the seat.
“...describes a mechanism comprises two travelling probes capable of vibrating at various amplitudes, frequencies and durations, depending on the nature of the required alert. “
There’s the butt-pilot mode and the butt-pirate mode.
I remember as a kid there was a movie that involved some theaters placing electric buzzers in the seats to scare the patrons.
Percepto: “Scream for your lives!”
“Percepto!” was a gimmick where William Castle attached electrical “buzzers” to the underside of several seats in movie theaters where The Tingler was scheduled to be screened. The buzzers were small surplus vibrators left over from World War II. The cost of this equipment added $250,000 to the film’s budget. It was predominantly used in the larger theaters.
During the climax of the film, The Tingler was depicted escaping into a generic movie theater. On screen the projected film appeared to break as the silhouette of the tingler moved across the projection beam. The film went black, all lights in the auditorium (except fire exit signs) were turned off, and Vincent Price’s voice warned the audience “The Tingler is loose in THIS theater! Scream! Scream for your lives!” This cued the theatre projectionist to activate the buzzers and give several audience members an unexpected jolt.
Don’t forget “RETARD, RETARD, RETARD!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixCxqdwcJTY
“Make me wonder how I survived flying DC-3’s...”
There was a time, not too long ago, when the flight crew took pride in their mastery of their skills and the efficient management of their flight.
Now everything is pre-programmed into the computer, and the human crew has become a back up system for the flight director.
This is progress? Sounds to me like the first casualty in flight automation is always the natural passion for flight by the crew. Your time in the DC-3 was probably a whole lot more enjoyable...
With all respect, this is a bad idea. In recent incidents, such as the Quantas 380 engine explosion, pilots complained of too much information, distracting them from their primary duty of “simply flying the plane.”
Remember to do these things IN ORDER!
Aviate
Navigate
Communicate
Cogitate !
Yeah, and a joystick controller on an airliner just ain’t right. I learned to fly seat-of-the-pants stick and rudder. I guess I’m just old school.
Not such a radical advance to employ "d*** shakers" to focus pilot's attention on the task at hand.
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