Does anyone have an iPad??
Posted on 12/18/2014 2:33:38 PM PST by SeekAndFind
If the engine quits in a small plane, it's not the end of the world -- just glide to the nearest airport and make a dead-stick landing. Simple, right? Sure, if the pilot makes perfect, lightning-quick decisions. Since we're only human, there's now an iPad app called Xavion that can connect with a small-plane's autopilot, find the nearest airport and, if possible, fly you to the runway's threshold by itself. It'll even tell you if you can't make it, so that you can find a nearby farmer's field instead. According to Popular Science, the autopilot update will arrive in a few weeks for the app, which currently offers manual pilot assistance in an emergency (see the video below).
CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO
Xavion keeps track of airports near your flight path as you go, along with airplane flight data, the weather and even cabin pressurization, thanks to the iPad's built-in barometer. If something goes wrong, you just tell it to go to the nearest airport. It'll then connect to your autopilot via WiFi and guide the airplane home, while showing a virtual track of the path, simulated terrain and a moving map in case you need to take manual control. It's only during the landing flare that the pilot needs to grab the controls. On top of engine-out situations, the app could also be useful for a medical problem or other emergencies, giving the pilot a second set of "hands" to get to the nearest airport safely.
The Xavion system with autopilot assist will never be certified by the FAA as a primary (or even secondary) flight system, but it can be used by pilots as a discretionary backup since it's not attached to the plane. Some capabilities, like the alert when you can't make a runway, aren't available at all in any commercial systems, even those that cost $10,000 and up. For a bit of extra peace of mind, that makes the app's $199 per year price tag a relative bargain.
Does anyone have an iPad??
Surely, you can’t be serious.
I disagree with your assessment that large commercial aircraft have the aerodynamics of a brick. Two examples: the miracle on the Hudson and the Gimli glider.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Don't call me Shirley. And it's series. This could be Hugh.
No, you just haven't enough imagination to write the new version. Put a seven year old kid on board who wants to play Angry Birds with the iPad. . . and keeps switching Apps from the Xavion auto-pilot to Angry Birds, which somehow has accidentally been linked into the auto-Pilot, and every time he launches a bird, the plane arcs in a similar fashion! They take it back. . . and he always finds a way to snatch it back and play some more Birds. . . WHEE! Fun!
I am working on a video of the experience. I put a video on you tube MaXtanic films of how to do an annual on a 310(and how not to change the oil), also a bunch of trips to Oshkosh.
BTW, how do you post a pic on free Republic?
Interesting.
Whats this auto pilot of which you speak?
It's Air Force fighter jets - especially the old F-4 Phantom - that have the aerodynamics of a brick.
Just proving that even a brick can fly if you have big enough engins. ;)
I watch that movie when it's on just to get a look at that beauuuuutiful Beechcraft Model 18 twin engine aircraft.
[:-)
Hudson pilot was lucky he was over water and never got any altitude before he “crash landed” his brick.
Large commercial aircraft have the aerodynamics of a “large” brick when compared to a smaller aircraft such as the old F-4 Phantom or even worse F-111.
I think you get a bingo!
My thought was, Ok, now I need to fly in only autopilot equipped GA aircraft. In some cases a difficult task since very few small aircraft are so equipped.
Glide ratios for various airliners:
Boeing B707-320 19.4
Boeing 767-200 19.0
Douglas DC-8 17.9
Boeing 747-100 17.7
Douglas DC-10 17.7
Airbus A320 17.0
Lockeed Tristar L1011 17.0
Douglas DC-9 (1966) 16.5
Boeing B727-200 16.4
Douglas DC-3 14.7
And you still they they are bricks?
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