Future of Electronics In Aviation

In rec.aviation.piloting Dylan Smith wrote:
On 2008-06-19, Le Chaud Lapin wrote:
3. Do you think electronics should retain a peripheral role ? (Garmin,
etc) but not be used in control paths (fly-by-wire)?

Fly by wire is pretty pointless on the kinds of planes we fly, it's
adding complexity where none is needed and steel cables and pulleys are
pretty reliable in airplanes, and pushrods to the swash plate in a
helicopter seem very reliable too. Changing those to electronics would
have pretty much zero benefit in a light airplane or helicopter (and
some significant disadvantages).

Exactly.

Lapin seems to be fixated on using technology simply because it exists,
as opposed to using technology to solve an existing problem or to make
life easier.

He also seems to be incapable of understanding that roughly zero
people will spend extra for something who's cost doesn't provide
the benefits to justify that cost.

Control electronics does exist for GA, it's called an autopilot, and
they've been around for a long time (some more sophisticated than
others). Some engines are also available with FADEC.

Yep, and as in general they aren't needed but rather just make life
easier, there are only a small percentage of people willing to pay for
them.


--
Jim Pennino

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