AEROSPACE ergonomics

Eclipse engineers employ 3-D digital human modeling techniques to ensure an ergonomically efficient cockpit for the Eclipse 500 jet.

Three-dimensional digital human modeling has been used extensively over the years in the automotive industry. However, aerospace engineers at Eclipse Engineering have begun applying this tool to the area of aircraft cockpit design. They used Tecmath's RAMSIS software to model and predict probable pilot behavior in a proposed cockpit design for the Eclipse 500 jet. The results were used to detect potential accommodation problems as early as possible, as well as to establish new guidelines and requirements for further design of the cockpit and interior components.

Currently, various guidelines and recommendations exist for aircraft designers to follow in ensuring functional accommodation of pilots. Pilots require an adequate field-of-view external to the aircraft as well as internal; all primary instruments should be placed within a pilot's primary field-of-view.