Highway in the Sky
This is the future of air travel and NASA is already taking the intermediate steps to get us there.
The folks at NASA have built something called "The Highway in the Sky." It's a computer system designed to let millions of people fly whenever they please, and take off and land from wherever they please, in their very own vehicles…
...here’s how it works: In a NASA animation, pilots focus on one main screen. It’s very much like a videogame. Keep the plane inside the box, away from other vehicles, and the plane’s computers automatically guide them towards their destination. They can even follow the highway down to the ground.
This is just a part of NASA's plan. Through the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) program, NASA is working on aircraft computing, advanced flight controls, Highway in the Sky displays that would overlay the windshield, and automated air traffic separation and sequencing.Automatic separation and sequencing is extremely important. A head-up display showing a virtual highway is useful only if the highway is clear.
NASA Contribution
In 1997, the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security created NASA’s Aviation Safety and Security Program (AvSSP) with the aim of sounding the depths of NASA’s cutting-edge aviation advances and history of successes. The AvSSP decided to use NASA technology to cut the rate of fatal aviation accidents that occur because of lowered visibility and spatial disorientation, common problems that arise in poor weather conditions, in the dark, or with inexperienced pilots.
Originating Technology && testing
Aviators in bad climates often fly low, around 200 feet above the ground, to avoid poor visibility and icing conditions in winter, and rely on lighted buoys anchored in lakes to guide their transit. It is the ideal area in which to test weatherproof guidance symbology.
As part of the Synthetic Vision research and development testing conducted at Langley, a display concept replicating the Chelton display system was included in the test matrix and evaluated in simulation and flight-test experiments.
The result of the research is a 3-D display for pilots, which provides clear vision, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. It also replaces the buoys with a series of onscreen markers that draw a virtual highway in the sky, on which the pilots can “drive.” The system creates an artificial, computer-generated view of the surroundings from a series of databases and advanced sensory input, so it gives pilots topographical flight plans, as well as real-time feedback, about the area directly outside of the aircraft. The pilot can program a flight plan into the Synthetic Vision system and the onboard computer will know which databases to access, and then provide the pilot with course markers that highlight the route the plane should take. These markers can even extend into the landing zone and create a trail that the pilot can follow straight through to landing.
First flight
Here it has been installed in a Beechcraft King Air 300.
The simulated tests conducted by NASA, the FAA, and Chelton involved dozens of pilots in a variety of scenarios, with one specifically designed to cause an accident. The testing confirmed that with the Synthetic Vision system in place, fewer accidents occurred.
As a result of this successful and beneficial partnership, Langley, the FAA, and Chelton were presented With NASA’s “Turning Goals into Reality” award for aviation safety.
Product Outcome
EFIS Primary Flight Display™ is a trademark of Chelton Flight Systems.
Fiskalan
IIMCA
This is the future of air travel and NASA is already taking the intermediate steps to get us there.
The folks at NASA have built something called "The Highway in the Sky." It's a computer system designed to let millions of people fly whenever they please, and take off and land from wherever they please, in their very own vehicles…
...here’s how it works: In a NASA animation, pilots focus on one main screen. It’s very much like a videogame. Keep the plane inside the box, away from other vehicles, and the plane’s computers automatically guide them towards their destination. They can even follow the highway down to the ground.
This is just a part of NASA's plan. Through the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) program, NASA is working on aircraft computing, advanced flight controls, Highway in the Sky displays that would overlay the windshield, and automated air traffic separation and sequencing.Automatic separation and sequencing is extremely important. A head-up display showing a virtual highway is useful only if the highway is clear.
NASA Contribution
In 1997, the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security created NASA’s Aviation Safety and Security Program (AvSSP) with the aim of sounding the depths of NASA’s cutting-edge aviation advances and history of successes. The AvSSP decided to use NASA technology to cut the rate of fatal aviation accidents that occur because of lowered visibility and spatial disorientation, common problems that arise in poor weather conditions, in the dark, or with inexperienced pilots.
Originating Technology && testing
Aviators in bad climates often fly low, around 200 feet above the ground, to avoid poor visibility and icing conditions in winter, and rely on lighted buoys anchored in lakes to guide their transit. It is the ideal area in which to test weatherproof guidance symbology.
As part of the Synthetic Vision research and development testing conducted at Langley, a display concept replicating the Chelton display system was included in the test matrix and evaluated in simulation and flight-test experiments.
The result of the research is a 3-D display for pilots, which provides clear vision, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. It also replaces the buoys with a series of onscreen markers that draw a virtual highway in the sky, on which the pilots can “drive.” The system creates an artificial, computer-generated view of the surroundings from a series of databases and advanced sensory input, so it gives pilots topographical flight plans, as well as real-time feedback, about the area directly outside of the aircraft. The pilot can program a flight plan into the Synthetic Vision system and the onboard computer will know which databases to access, and then provide the pilot with course markers that highlight the route the plane should take. These markers can even extend into the landing zone and create a trail that the pilot can follow straight through to landing.
First flight
Here it has been installed in a Beechcraft King Air 300.
The simulated tests conducted by NASA, the FAA, and Chelton involved dozens of pilots in a variety of scenarios, with one specifically designed to cause an accident. The testing confirmed that with the Synthetic Vision system in place, fewer accidents occurred.
As a result of this successful and beneficial partnership, Langley, the FAA, and Chelton were presented With NASA’s “Turning Goals into Reality” award for aviation safety.
Product Outcome
EFIS Primary Flight Display™ is a trademark of Chelton Flight Systems.
Fiskalan
IIMCA
