High-tech gizmos propel aviation into the future

Many thanks for the interesting article


On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 23:17:04 GMT, "Omega" wrote
in Qbpqe.35320$x96.33077@attbi_s72::


The robot copilot, which listens to voice commands and calls out warnings
when pilots make mistakes, is one of dozens of high-tech innovations that
seem to leap from the pages of a science-fiction novel.

Hmmm... That sounds 'interesting'.

Me: Take me for a $100 hamburger.

SATS: I'm sorry, Dave, I can't do that.

"We are on the cusp of seeing the same revolution we saw with the Internet,"
says FAA Administrator Marion Blakey.

Hundreds of millions of people participate in the worldwide Internet.
I doubt anywhere near that many will pilot SATS equipped aircraft.
Still, it will be interesting to see it deployed...

The FAA predicted this spring that 4,500 microjets will be flying by 2016.
NASA says it will be even higher. It estimates the market at more than 8,000
by 2010.

All those shortsighted municipalities that closed their little
airports to develop strip-malls on the real estate are going to find
it difficult to participate in the coming SATS revolution.

Other systems under development would allow pilots to communicate with
controllers in text messages. Text messages are more precise and don't clog
precious radio frequencies.

Have you ever tried to tune a radio in turbulent IMC? Imagine trying
to touch type. Perhaps that voice recognition software will eliminate
the necessity to type at all.

At least some of the work coincides with long-range efforts to improve
efficiency of airline flights as well, Hansman says. For example, jets could
travel across country more efficiently if pilots could guide themselves
instead of having to rely on the massive network of air traffic controllers
on the ground.

Perhaps it won't be necessary to heir replacements for all the ATC
personnel scheduled to retire soon after all. :-)