Aircraft design: some questions for pilots
I am an amateur designer and currently designing a cockpit design for light aircrafts. I want to know common problems encountered by new and learning pilots when training and using the cockpits of light aircraft. Here are questions that would help in my study and design. Your feedback will be highly appreciated.
1. Number of hours flown? ____________
2. How do you feel about the current cockpit designs on light aircraft?
Very Satisfied Satisfied Neutral Not Satisfied Very Dissatisfied
3. Instruments
A. What instruments do you find using most frequently?
*********************B. Is the current arrangement intuitive or would you change the layout?
YES NO if NO, go to C
C. What important instruments are positioned incorrectly?
4. Have you ever been involved in an emergency situation?
YES NO
5. If YES, did you have enough time and space to exit?
YES NO
6. If NO, what can be done to improve in such a situation?
7. Generally, is there anything you would want to be changed, improved or replaced?
8. Which controls do you prefer?
YOKE STICK other__________
9. If STICK is preferred, which position?
A) On the edge of the seat between the pilots legs?
B) On the left and right hand sides for the captain and first officer respectively?
C) On the centre console for both pilots
10. Which seat harnesses do you prefer?
3 POINT 5 POINT OTHER _____________
11. What displays/instruments do you prefer?
DIGITAL ANALOGUE
12. What type of canopy design would you prefer?
BUBBLE TYPE GULLWING TYPE OTHER ******_______***________
13. Which canopy design configuration do you prefer?
A) Sliding, as a single piece
B) Swinging
C) Doors on each side
14. Which throttle position do you prefer?
Centre console
On the front instrument panel
Over head, (for swinging and door canopy design)
15. Would you be more comfortable with an overhead panel?
YES NO
16. Does anything in the cockpit hinder the external view?
*****************17. Rank 1 to 5 with the most important being no. 1
COMFORT
SAFETY
ERGONOMICS
VENTILATION
EASE OF ENTRY + EXIT
FLIGHT CONTROL POSITIONG
18. Do you prefer to have an adjustable seat to set the perfect flying position?
YES NO
Thank you
Last edited by engineer; 01-04-2011 at 10:09 AM.