The flight control computer and actuators have lost considerable weight for the Compact Fly-By-Wire system, which Barker attributes to the use of smaller, less power-hungry electronics. “Just a few years ago, it would have taken a flight control computer the size of a bookshelf to offer the same capabilities,” Barker notes. “Its advanced capabilities, light weight and small size enable the application of FBW controls to the Part 23, Part 25 and Part 27 markets, creating safer and smarter aircraft that better handle complex aerodynamics, weather and even pilot error,” Barker says.īy way of comparison, he points out that Honeywell’s Compact Fly-By-Wire system incorporates flight control computers the size of a book. While the AAM market continues to be the focus, Barker says the technology was developed to also have potential application to other aircraft types. “The goal is to bring the safety of FBW to segments of the market that traditional systems would not fit due to size and cost.” “This will bring all of the benefits of larger, more complex systems to these markets at a size, weight, power and cost aligned with the needs of these lighter and more complex aircraft,” says Andrew Barker, vice president for integrated avionics at Honeywell. The Lilium Jet, Vertical Aerospace VX4 eVTOL air taxis and Pipistrel’s Nuuva 300 eVTOL uncrewed cargo carrier are among the other applications previously announced. Swedish startup Heart Aerospace announced in October that it had selected Honeywell’s Compact Fly-By-Wire system for its ES-30 30-seat electric regional aircraft, now in development. The Phoenix-based company introduced its Compact Fly-By-Wire system in June 2019, targeting the weight-sensitive advanced air mobility (AAM) market as well as other electric aircraft types. Honeywell Aerospace is also pursuing the lighter, more compact fly-by-wire (FBW) systems. “Thales is also engaged in uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) applications with ScaleFlyt, which Thales is proposing for lightweight UAVs, with the capability to support even beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights.” AAM Market “Our next-generation flight control products will open a path to application to light business jets under Part 23 as they shift from mechanical flight control to fly-by-wire,” Duval-Destin says.
Certification of FlytRise is planned for 2027. Airbus has selected FlytRise for its CityAirbus electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as has SkyDrive in Toyota City, Japan, for its first eVTOL product. According to Duval-Destin, FlytRise, Thales’ newest FCS, weighs 50% less than current systems, thanks to electronic integration and adapting to urban air mobility constraints. “Also, permanent terrain protection is an interesting function to avoid collision with the ground.” SkyDrive has selected Thales’ FlytRise fly-by-wire flight control system for its first eVTOL aircraft. “Considering single-pilot operations, permanent flight management systems should be the cornerstone for emergency functions,” he says. The autopilot is the natural candidate to enrich FCS functionalities, as it will provide the “permanent autopilot” that aircrews have expected for years, Duval-Destin says. Currently, autopilot systems sometimes disengage because of conditions that evolve out of the autopilot domain.” New capabilities could include unlosable permanent autopilot. “For instance, we see supporting autopilot, navigation or some surveillance functions, which are impossible to do with conventional flight controls. “This will allow aircraft manufacturers to introduce new functions to expand the capabilities and safety of their aircraft,” he explains. Only systems, with their level of automation, will be able to cope with the rising level of complexity and provide the expected level of safety.”ĭuval-Destin adds that flight control system (FCS) technologies have been extended to support functions that are today supported by lower-integrity aircraft systems. “New aircraft designs-envisioned for single-pilot, electric vertical takeoff and landing-are complex and potentially unstable unless controlled using a fly-by-wire system. “The trend toward fly-by-wire is irreversible,” says Marc Duval-Destin, vice president for strategy, product policy and innovation at Thales Group’s flight avionics business line. Both fly-by-wire and electromechanical actuation systems are presenting a two-pronged approach. With a new age of electrically driven advanced air mobility aircraft just over the horizon and net-zero sustainability goals looming, flight control systems are moving toward greater power and smaller packages.