MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / TOULOUSE
Major changes include addition of keyboard cursor control unit, with a QWERTY keypad
Customer pilots have responded positively to the new features of the Airbus A380 flightdeck, after recent human-machine interface (HMI) trials on the development simulator in Toulouse. The manufacturer is gearing up for full trials of the A380 iron-bird test rig, which will be linked to a flight simulator.
The A380 development simulator, which uses a CAE visual system, has been running at Airbus France's Toulouse site since earlier this year. Designated "Aircraft -1" (Minus 1), the mock-up is being used for early verification of aircraft handling qualities and tuning of control laws. It has a representative layout of the new flightdeck displays and controls, but some switches, such as the overhead panel, are represented by a touch-screen display.
"We have had a number of pilots from customer airlines sample the flightdeck and provide HMI feedback in recent months," says vice-president A380 customer programme Chris Stonehouse.
Capt Roy Byway, an A340 pilot with Virgin Atlantic who is involved in the A380 flightdeck customer focus group, recently undertook some HMI trials on Aircraft -1 and says the general feedback was positive.
"Myself and one of our Boeing 747-400 first officers spent two days at Airbus, during which we were in the simulator for around 5h, and operated three 'flights' between European airports," says Byway. He adds that "the new multifunction displays are excellent, they seem very clear and logical".
While the fundamental philosophy for the Airbus fly-by-wire cockpit has not changed with the A380, Byway says there are new elements that provide good functionality, but may take some getting used to.
One of the major changes is replacement of the standard multi-purpose control and display unit alphanumeric key pad on the forward pedestal, which is used to input data into the flight management system (FMS), with a keyboard cursor control unit (KCCU) which incorporates a "QWERTY" keypad for the first time.
"The KCCU is very comfortable to use, and the FMS uses the same logic as the A340," says Byway. "The ergonomics have been improved by incorporating certain 'hard keys' to take you directly to commands rather than requiring several key strokes."
Byway says he will be attending the next HMI group meeting in Toulouse this week, where pilots will be shown the flightdeck incorporating changes from feedback from earlier sessions.
Three definitive cockpit integration simulators are now being completed at St Martin that will feature visual and motion systems. One of the simulators can be linked up to the A380 iron bird, located nearby, which will create what Airbus calls "Aircraft Zero" - a full-scale hydraulic, electrical and avionics systems rig that will become operational early next year.
Source: Flight International
