First used in a test research aircraft from 1972 to 1985, NASA revolutionized the business of commercial and military airplanes by developing the F-8 digital “fly-by-wire (FBW)” system.
FBW involves a series of wires connected to the hydraulic system of an aircraft that checks for diagnostics involved with the stability of the plane. The pilot is connected and aware of this system by a computer which they control, rather than using the older traditional method of flying with a manual steering wheel. The main benefit of the digital system compared to the manual is the increase in aerodynamic efficiency. Essentially, you can better maneuver the aircraft more accurately without the sacrifice of losing natural stability. Stability is of utmost importance when operating an aircraft, because if it is disturbed by an outside force such as a gust of wind, the flight path can diverge drastically, increasing the “g-forces” pressed upon the the aircraft, which can result in the failure of the structure of the aircraft, causing it to fall apart and crash.
What FBW control provides is a “high-integrity automatic stabilization of the aircraft.” This type of faultless control allows aircraft designers more freedoms to create aircrafts that are lighter, and have better aerodynamic structure. Overall efficiency is the key word.FBW controls were first introduced into military aircraft with the redesign of McDonnell Douglas’ (now Boeing) YF-17 into the F/A-18, flying first in 1980.
In 1988, Airbus became the first commercial company to incorporate FBW into their airplanes with the introduction of the A-320. Other companies followed suit, such as Boeing who first used FBW technology in their 777 model in 1993, and then produced the airplane first with United Airlines in 1995. It should be stated that while FBW does offer many modern conveniences, it is also another case of technological advancements causing the manuals jobs of humans to become obsolete, as the system limits the autonomic actions of the pilot. However, the efficiency of FBW is undeniably a great step towards making modern transportation faster and more convenient.
Posted By: Rob Goodman
Sources:
Collinson, R.P.G. (1999). Fly-by-wire Flight Control. Computing and Control Engineer Journal. 10 (4), pp. 141-152.
Sabbagh, Karl. (1996). 21st Century Jet. New York, NY: Scribner.
Curry, Marty ed. (2009). Past Projects: F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire. NASA. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/F8/index.html.
Image retrieved October 26,2009 from http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/F8/index.html
FBW involves a series of wires connected to the hydraulic system of an aircraft that checks for diagnostics involved with the stability of the plane. The pilot is connected and aware of this system by a computer which they control, rather than using the older traditional method of flying with a manual steering wheel. The main benefit of the digital system compared to the manual is the increase in aerodynamic efficiency. Essentially, you can better maneuver the aircraft more accurately without the sacrifice of losing natural stability. Stability is of utmost importance when operating an aircraft, because if it is disturbed by an outside force such as a gust of wind, the flight path can diverge drastically, increasing the “g-forces” pressed upon the the aircraft, which can result in the failure of the structure of the aircraft, causing it to fall apart and crash.
What FBW control provides is a “high-integrity automatic stabilization of the aircraft.” This type of faultless control allows aircraft designers more freedoms to create aircrafts that are lighter, and have better aerodynamic structure. Overall efficiency is the key word.FBW controls were first introduced into military aircraft with the redesign of McDonnell Douglas’ (now Boeing) YF-17 into the F/A-18, flying first in 1980.
In 1988, Airbus became the first commercial company to incorporate FBW into their airplanes with the introduction of the A-320. Other companies followed suit, such as Boeing who first used FBW technology in their 777 model in 1993, and then produced the airplane first with United Airlines in 1995. It should be stated that while FBW does offer many modern conveniences, it is also another case of technological advancements causing the manuals jobs of humans to become obsolete, as the system limits the autonomic actions of the pilot. However, the efficiency of FBW is undeniably a great step towards making modern transportation faster and more convenient.
Posted By: Rob Goodman
Sources:
Collinson, R.P.G. (1999). Fly-by-wire Flight Control. Computing and Control Engineer Journal. 10 (4), pp. 141-152.
Sabbagh, Karl. (1996). 21st Century Jet. New York, NY: Scribner.
Curry, Marty ed. (2009). Past Projects: F-8 Digital Fly-By-Wire. NASA. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/F8/index.html.
Image retrieved October 26,2009 from http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/F8/index.html
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