e-flight-Journal01-2017

e Organizations
The Early Days of a Revolution:
Increased Electrification & Automation
tTraditionally, technology flows into aviation once it has matured
in other sectors because the level of safety we all expect
and the time and resource investments to bring aviation
innovation has required a methodical approach to development.
Over the last decade, developments in micro-electronics,
software and battery capacities have resulted in significant
societal changes which are beginning to take shape
within the aviation domain. Two general technology vectors
seem to be oriented in a manner that will have a profound
impact on aviation as we know it: increased automation & increased
electrification. These technological advancements
along with new efficiencies gained as EASA implements
the new CS-23 are resulting in beneficial alignment like we
haven’t seen since the early days of aviation.
Increased Automation
Increased levels of automation which are becoming common
in everyday life (smart home technology, simplified
weather information, navigation with traffic information,
smart cruise control, drone stability control, etc.) are beginning
to find their way into integrated aviation applications. A
major shift in society is expected as all the major car manufacturers
have indicated plans to include significant levels of
automation in the next 2-3 years.
As any certified flight engineer could tell you, aviation has pioneered
automation since the early days. The levels of information
and technology in light general aviation and business
jets has grown tremendously in the last several decades but
for the most part, these systems are always supplementary
and backed up by the pilot or flight crew. In most of
these modern aircraft, the takeoff and landing are nearly always
flown manually while the climb, cruise and approach
are typically flown by automation based on pilot or crew
Pete Bunce, President and CEO
of GAMA, with a business delegation
from Shenyang / China.
31 e Flight Journal