Glass cockpits are like a new user’s interface for pilots. They introduce new concepts like tapes instead of needles, bugs for more parameters and red crosses over failed instruments. Getting used to them takes some time and they also have some drawbacks. I already posted about the G1000 ergonomics compared to a steam gauges panel.
One of the challenges pilots converting to glass-cockpits is to find the right knob to turn or the right button to press. Why is this a challenge ? Because display and control elements are far away and don’t directly relate with each other. Look at the following pictures: they are from a G1000, and Avidyne Entegra and an Airbus 320. I highlighted the position of the heading but and its tuning knob on each of them.
G1000 Heading bug
Avidyne Entegra Heading bug
Airbus 320 Heading bug
Now compare this with the next picture, from a PA32 dashboard using classical instruments. The heading bug is controlled by a knob which is part of the HSI itself. No need to look for the knob for long.
Classical cockpit heading bug
In today’s world touch screens are present everywhere. Telephones, GPS for cars, information systems of all kind, … So why not a touch screen glass cockpit system ? The interaction models are not that complex:
- Drag elements like the heading bug, CDI
- Touch virtual buttons for autopilot modes
- Roll virtual cylinders to dial frequencies (like the iPhone combo-boxes)
- Use a touch keyboard for flight plan entries
This would solve a lot of problems as interface elements (heading bug, altitude selector, CDI, autopilot modes) will be used for both control and display. Touch screen technology is now mature enough and the display elements in a glass cockpit are large enough to be used for interaction. Systems will also become mechanically and electrically simpler.
I see only two possible drawbacks:
- The display can be partly obstructed during the interaction
- Turbulence can reduce usability
I’ll keep a close look at the market to see if some suppliers will go in this direction or not. If you know of some touch products for aviation, let me know.
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I’m not sure where I read/saw/heard this, but I remember hearing that the original design for the flight computers in the A380 was supposed to be touch screen, and after some initial user testing, it turned out to be a bad idea. Personally, I think turbulence would make it unusable–not just a reduction in usability.
@Marc: I checked on the excellent interactive 3D view of the A380 available at http://www.gillesvidal.com/blogpano/cockpit1.htm .
It seems that the screens far on the outside (displaying navigation charts) could be touch screen, but it could also be that they’re operated via the trackball, I’m not sure.
Yeah, the A380 guys tried to go touchscreen at first and decided against it. One test in some light chop probably made it very obvious.
Turbulence would make the touch screen difficult in some instances, but I for one would love to be able to pan and zoom the map on my MFD much the way I pan and zoom on my iPhone. As far as finding the right knob, I think it would be better if the Garmin and other GA guys just put a flight control panel just under the dashboard with clearly labeled knobs. Its easy to find everything right up there instead of hunting and pecking around that screen. Looks better too.
Maybe the solution is to have both types of input–the “normal” buttons with their current functionality combined with some sort of touch interface. In the software world, it’s really easy to have multiple ways to accomplish the same thing.
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