Trends in Air Data Equipment

Central air data computers will become widely used on subsonic commercial jets in the near future. Military and SST air data requirements will result in substantial reliability improvements, primarily through the introduction of digital techniques. Improvements in performance, size, and weight will lag until really good digital sensors are developed, at which time air data computers no larger than a common blackboard eraser will be feasible. An important new market will develop through the application of advanced air data techniques to the control of supersonic jet engines and intake systems. Of particular significance to manufacturers of flight control systems is the general trend to widespread application of central air data computers, thereby eliminating the air data functions formerly included within autopilot systems.