Learning the Boeing 787 starts here.
It doesn't matter whether you are a mechanic or a pilot, when you're learning about aircraft systems the manuals are in an identical laptop/tablet/EFB, and are based on the same software. So you learn to use the manuals which can, in virtual reality, walk you through the process of system diagnostics, faulty LRU identification and the removal and replacement process.
If you were a pilot on diversion because of a faulty box, you could diagnose which one it was, and if a replacement could be delivered, you could fit and test it.
The same software extends to the flight training device...
... where pilots can familiarise themselves with the flight deck equipment, and and become adept at systems manipulation, but at a fraction of the cost of learning in a full flight simulator. In this picture the head-up displays are superimposed on the external visual screens.
The FFS comes next.
All these training systems were created as a total system for Boeing by Thales, which is why they are integrated and complementary
Today I "flew" the 787 simulator for the first time at Boeing UK Training and Flight Services near Gatwick. Capt Patrick Garrigan, lead flight instructor Boeing 787 training and flight services, was in the right hand seat doing the detailed work while I got to grips with the handling and the HUD.
The 787 is a dream to fly if this simulator is anything to go by. And the simulator's fully electric six-axis motion system is about as good as motion systems get - much less lurchy and upsetting than traditional electro-hydraulic ones.
The 787 feels civilised, predictable, stable, intuitive. And those head up displays: HUDs have never really grabbed me before because I haven't used them much, but these did. Soon we'll wonder why we ever flew without them.
on May 31, 2011 8:14 AM | Reply
Of course it's a dream to 'fly' - what did you expect? I don't think they (Boeing) would let you have a bad experience in a virtual system where they have 100% control...
No offence, but I'll let others fly the real plastic toy for some years, before I'll strap myself into one of them.
on May 31, 2011 12:08 PM | Reply
"Plastic Toy"? Methinks Capricorn has an agenda...
on July 4, 2011 1:00 PM | Reply
Quoting David L,"The 787 feels civilised, predictable, stable, intuitive. And those head up displays: HUDs have never really grabbed me before because I haven't used them much, but these did. Soon we'll wonder why we ever flew without them".
Having rolled out on 07-08-07,illustrating that PR is the inverse square root, of all BS. Then I was doing a B-744 Sim PC myself at NATCO in KMSP. I'm sure my 787 experience would mirror David L's, the jammy bastard !.
Of course, the B-7Latey7,is the new iPod of aviation, quite unlike the A-3Latey. More to the point, in the light of AF-447 and the XL/NZ A-320 stall crash of Nov 27 2008 into the sea near Perpignan, will the competing approaching A-350XWB have an Alternate Law luxury of a sidestick stab trim switch, to mitigate against a death grip full stab travel deep stall,now shown to be open to all altitudes ? That would require admitting a latent design flaw and Airbus does not do humility. Airbus Normal and Alternate Law is too vested in it’s current logic to appeal to such future reason.