Aircraft Auto-Flight GUI Control Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mode control panels in aircraft flight decks are complex, making it difficult for pilots to understand and utilize their full capabilities due to the combination of modes and functions, leading to confusion and inefficiency in controlling aircraft parameters.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface with distinct groupings of controls allows pilots to send commands to the auto-flight system, separating controls for flight management system-generated commands and user-input commands, enabling clear selection and control of aircraft trajectory parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mode control panel with multiple functions and combinations of modes is used, then the capability to control aircraft parameters is enhanced, but the complexity of the control interface increases making it difficult for pilots to understand and utilize
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface is segmented into distinct functional areas: a flight plan area displaying the scheduled flight path, and a control area with buttons corresponding to specific flight parameters (altitude, heading, speed). This segmentation allows pilots to interact with individual parameters without being overwhelmed by the complete system complexity, while still accessing full control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The flight management system acts as an intermediary between the pilot and the auto-flight system. The GUI serves as an intermediate interface that translates simple pilot selections into complex command sequences for the auto-flight system, hiding the underlying complexity while maintaining full functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple controls for different command sources are integrated in one interface, then comprehensive control is achieved, but confusion arises due to the combination of modes and functions
Solution Approach 1:
Different controls in the graphical user interface are designed with distinct visual characteristics and are positioned according to their function. Controls for flight management system commands are visually distinguished from controls for pilot-initiated commands, allowing pilots to quickly identify and operate the appropriate controls without confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface segments controls by source: flight management system-generated commands are displayed and controlled separately from pilot-input commands. This segmentation through visual distinction and spatial arrangement enables comprehensive control coverage while maintaining operational clarity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft system comprising a display system, a graphical user interface, a first grouping of the controls in the graphical user interface, and a second grouping of the controls in the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is configured to display controls on the display system. The controls are for commands sent to an auto-flight system in an aircraft that control flight of the aircraft. The first grouping of the controls is configured to control sending of the commands to the auto-flight system from a flight management system in the aircraft. The second grouping of the controls is configured to control sending of the commands to the auto-flight system from a user input to the graphical user interface.