Advanced Commercial Cockpit Concepts

This paper analyzes recent trends in commercial aircraft flight deck technology and their impact on cockpit design and testing. The capabilities of the new technology are enumerated along with the risks inherent in its widespread application. The objectives and philosophy of flight deck design which are considered essential to maximize the value of the new technology are presented, and a flight deck development approach designed to effectively apply these objectives and philosophical guidelines is outlined. Implementation of this development process is illustrated by recent advanced flight deck programs at Douglas Aircraft Company, in which design goals, concepts and guidelines are discussed as they apply to specific cockpit functions and, particularly, to the Integration of these functions into an organized, effective work station. The conclusion Is drawn that, through an interdisciplinary, systematic approach to Integrating the new technology, flight deck concepts are being developed which hold high promise for the future.