Jorj Baker wrote:

Paul,

Pls check the emails you sent. I think I inadvertently deleted one of them
thismorning. Thanks for forwarding the dialogue and the responses.

There are calculations we can do to guestimate angle of bank based on speed
and rate of heading change. We've done that in Playback mode in the past but
pulled it. In flight, the slowness of data input from the GPS makes using a
GPS to calc bank a very delayed, risky and inaccurate move. We can do the
same with pitch, but again, the GPS itself often varies altitude in level
flight because of Selective Availability, which would give us a false pitch.
The solution is to use gyros so we can use real pitch and roll. Free Flight
will currently help prevent CFIT but it will not keep someone from getting
vertigo due to lack of pitch and roll cues. If we had gyro input and a large
display, the pilot would always have a VFR day image and shouldn't have a
vertigo problem. We can't fund the development of hardware and gyro
integration at this time but are bidding on some contracts that may result
in hardware development with gyro integration. We've had designs for
hardware on the drawing board for some time. With gryo input and fast GPS
input, we could come up with a great TAWS (Terrain Avoidence and Warning
System) as well as provide a visible 3d route.

Best,

Jorj

 
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