Preflight

These are changing aviation--now

Thanks to technology, however, I can still laugh at Letterman's Top 10 list. The next day I can visit the Late Show's Web site, and it's right there for me to read. In fact, they're archived back to 1993.

In the same way, technology is changing the way we fly--and the way we learn to fly.

What are the Top 10 technologies influencing general aviation? Earlier this year, our sister magazine, AOPA Pilot, surveyed AOPA members online and asked them to rank a list of 10 top technologies, and to suggest significant technologies not included on the list.

The result is a comprehensive report on GA technology published in the August 2006 AOPA Pilot and a new interactive multimedia technology guide on AOPA Online. They list 40 technologies that are influencing general aviation. Let's look at the Top 10:

10. ADS-B. A panel-mounted global positioning system tells you where you are; why not let it tell everyone else? Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) transmits your GPS-derived position to other aircraft, where it can be displayed in the cockpit--and to air traffic controllers on the ground. As a bonus the ADS-B datalink also can be used to transmit weather information into the cockpit. This technology will reduce the chance of midair collisions and could replace some long-range air traffic control radars.

9. Wireless. This technology already allows weather updates or flight-plan filing on your way to the airport. In the short term, expect headsets that don't need cords. Longer-term, look for an airborne Internet.

8. Composites. Aircraft construction evolved from wood and fabric to aluminum; composites--defined as the combination of materials--entered the scene in the 1960s. If carbon fibers are combined with a resin and cured, the resulting structure is half the weight of aluminum. Production aircraft from Cirrus, Columbia, Diamond, and Liberty are built from composite materials. Several business jets also employ composites, and Boeing has announced that it will use composites for its next generation of airliners.

7. EVS. Using infrared sensors that detect very small amounts of heat, enhanced vision system (EVS) technology makes it possible to see through fog, clouds, or even at night. Already being used in some jet aircraft, it's intended to eliminate controlled-flight-into-terrain accidents.

6. FADEC. Computerized full authority digital engine control (FADEC) systems will manage engine power settings, mixture, fuel flow, and propeller pitch in all phases of flight; engine operation will be single-lever simple. Common on turbine aircraft for years, piston FADEC is poised to take off.

5. Internet. The information age has not ignored aviation. Weather and other preflight information is widely available online--as well as online flight-planning services. Interested in buying an airplane? Research the best model for you and then select an available airplane from your computer. For some pilot certificates and ratings, it's already possible to complete your ground school online.

4. WAAS. Available to pilots since 2003, the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) increases the accuracy of GPS signals. It promises an explosion of precision instrument approaches to general aviation airports, including many that don't offer an approach currently.

3. Datalink. Beginning with the in-flight exchange of two-way messages (think text messaging on your cell phone), datalink has developed into a system that can deliver to the cockpit a full array of radar images and other aviation weather data, as well as traffic information.

2. MFD/PFD. In the brave new world of cockpit displays, the primary flight display (PFD) presents the aircraft attitude, heading, and position. It's usually accompanied by a multifunction display (MFD) that serves up navigation, weather, engine performance, and most other types of information.

1. GPS. This is the enabling technology of modern aviation. It's integral to half of the technologies on this list. And it's not just revolutionizing aviation--there may be one in your car, or even in your cell phone.

If you're not familiar with these technologies, take advantage of the interactive technology guide. It provides links to the articles from the August AOPA Pilot if you'd like to learn even more.