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.
Just the thing for your iPad!
When you consider the relative computing power needed aboard the Lunar Excursion Module, this isn’t so profound. Damned cool, though.
So, it can’t actually land the plane for you, it is just an enhancement to the autopilot to work better with no engine power?
I used my yoke mounted garmin 296 in my 172 for an ILS approach into BFL in IMC when my localizer quit on approach, worked just great. not much new here. that was 5 years ago
Rut-roh!
J/K...
The auto-rotation procedure was a bumpy, abrupt landing, but no one died.
Possibly just the thing to help searchers find the smoking hole in the ground.
Haahahah!
I was thinking the same thing. I barely trust my I pad for proper directions
So what light general aviation aircraft is equipped with WiFi enabled autopilot?
How about an app that pays your bills when you’re broke?
“Embezzler” for iPhone and Android.
Sounds like a huge seller!
Well then, technology just killed any chance of a remake of It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. Buddy Hackett and Mickey Rooney would have no emergency to deal with now with Jim Baccus konked out in the back. Maybe the NORKs could disable the WiFi in the remake.
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Please note that this app is only for small planes. Large commercial aircraft, when the engines quit, have the aerodynamics of a brick which will preclude safely landing; however, your iPad can quickly locate an “Oh Sh!t Prayer” in the religion or non-religion of your choice.
My uncle`s Piper Cub quit right after takeoff. He glided it back but wasn`t gonna make the runway. The fields were furrowed for miles around. So he gently landed it on the top of a tall tree and climbed down.
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