Hello and I have an aircraft software questio
02-27-2018, 04:15 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 3
Hello and I have an aircraft software questio
Hello everyone,
First and foremost, I want to say hello to everyone on this forum. I am not a pilot myself, though I would be if I could afford it (I did have about 2.5 hours logged in a Cessna before I figured out my budget wouldn't allow me to continue my training (that was more of a joke, since I know I can't compare with the hours everyone on here has logged
)). However, I have always loved aviation and grew up with a deep fascination of flying. It was just one of those things I could never afford.
I wanted to ask all of you what gauges/instruments are missing from an aircraft? There's a lot of gauges and heads-up-displays available (depending on your aircraft), but there has to be something missing. If there was a gauge/software piece you wished you had that you believe would ease your workload, what would it be? What would it do?
The reason I ask is I write software and like modding simulators in my spare time (X-Plane, Microsoft Flight Sim, etc.). I think it would be a good exercise to improve my software skills if I had something I could design, rather than follow the functionality/layout of something that already exists.
I'd love to hear some suggestions if you have any.
Thanks for your time and thank you for letting me be part of your forum community!
First and foremost, I want to say hello to everyone on this forum. I am not a pilot myself, though I would be if I could afford it (I did have about 2.5 hours logged in a Cessna before I figured out my budget wouldn't allow me to continue my training (that was more of a joke, since I know I can't compare with the hours everyone on here has logged
)). However, I have always loved aviation and grew up with a deep fascination of flying. It was just one of those things I could never afford.I wanted to ask all of you what gauges/instruments are missing from an aircraft? There's a lot of gauges and heads-up-displays available (depending on your aircraft), but there has to be something missing. If there was a gauge/software piece you wished you had that you believe would ease your workload, what would it be? What would it do?
The reason I ask is I write software and like modding simulators in my spare time (X-Plane, Microsoft Flight Sim, etc.). I think it would be a good exercise to improve my software skills if I had something I could design, rather than follow the functionality/layout of something that already exists.
I'd love to hear some suggestions if you have any.
Thanks for your time and thank you for letting me be part of your forum community!
02-27-2018, 07:01 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: JAFO- First Observer
Posts: 997
How about a real time indicator for climb or descent gradient (flight path vector) combined with Angle of Attack (AOA) information which not only displays where you are going (3D) but also displays percent, angle or feet per nautical mile. That would be #1 on my wish list. The Vertcal Speed Indicator (VSI) is marginally helpful. Few aircraft have a Flight Path Vector (FPV) but most don’t include climb gradient information. Most IFR procedures require a climb gradient (standard is 200 feet per nautical mile) or a descent angle of around 3 degrees.
02-27-2018, 10:48 PM
#3
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by PerfInit
How about a real time indicator for climb or descent gradient (flight path vector) combined with Angle of Attack (AOA) information which not only displays where you are going (3D) but also displays percent, angle or feet per nautical mile. That would be #1 on my wish list. The Vertcal Speed Indicator (VSI) is marginally helpful. Few aircraft have a Flight Path Vector (FPV) but most don’t include climb gradient information. Most IFR procedures require a climb gradient (standard is 200 feet per nautical mile) or a descent angle of around 3 degrees.
Interesting! If I'm following correctly, you are talking about a marker showing the climb/descent gradient with AoA info when flying IFR? Are we talking about glass cockpit or actual mechanical gauge?
02-28-2018, 05:26 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: JAFO- First Observer
Posts: 997
Glass cockpit, I envision a superimposed FPV symbol with small numeric readout integrated with the Primary Flight Display (PFD) [Attitude Indicator] OR HUD. Alternately The Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) information on the PFD could be “selectable” from rate of climb to climb/descent gradient information. It would be useful for VFR flight also. Reference the “Instrument Takeoff or Approach Procedure Charts; Rate of Climb/Descent Table” located in the FAA’s Terminal Procedure Publications or Jeppesen Charts. These have all the numbers/data. If you get rich over this, send me a postcard!
02-28-2018, 09:44 AM
#5
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by PerfInit
Glass cockpit, I envision a superimposed FPV symbol with small numeric readout integrated with the Primary Flight Display (PFD) [Attitude Indicator] OR HUD. Alternately The Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) information on the PFD could be “selectable” from rate of climb to climb/descent gradient information. It would be useful for VFR flight also. Reference the “Instrument Takeoff or Approach Procedure Charts; Rate of Climb/Descent Table” located in the FAA’s Terminal Procedure Publications or Jeppesen Charts. These have all the numbers/data. If you get rich over this, send me a postcard!
I will send you a postcard if I get rich! Unfortunately, I don't think any companies in aviation would pay much attention to a flight sim modder like myself, due to all of the legal and safety aspects. Most likely your idea and my design would get stolen and we would be asking one of the companies to send us both a postcard.
