One for the Boeing/Airbus jockeys
Discussion
Do any modern airliners utilise touch screens or haptic controls in their cockpits or is it still good old fashioned toggle and ker-chunk-a-chunk rocker switches? Maybe not for critical things but lesser controls like cabin lighting hvac controls, delving three menus in to lower the landing gear may not be ideal I’m guessing.
Flown a lot of both types, and the answer is nope!
Bear in mind - a lot of tech on aircraft is a good twenty years old from the drawing board, and for the design of safety-critical bits of kit, requires many many years of testing and approving, don't expect to see anything come in anytime soon. Maybe on light aircraft where there's a lesser requirement for certification, but on larger/commercial aircraft, might see it coming in with the next Gen of aircraft, but for now, it's not a thing.
Bear in mind - a lot of tech on aircraft is a good twenty years old from the drawing board, and for the design of safety-critical bits of kit, requires many many years of testing and approving, don't expect to see anything come in anytime soon. Maybe on light aircraft where there's a lesser requirement for certification, but on larger/commercial aircraft, might see it coming in with the next Gen of aircraft, but for now, it's not a thing.
https://youtu.be/38ox-7MOESQ?si=v38SD9v7jJlu1hc7 may be of interest
48k said:
Don't know about Boeing but the Airbus A350 has touch screen capability.
Didn't know that! The A380 and A350 also both have trackball controllers to move and click a cursor on some of the screens.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyctm0as-Eg
5150 said:
Flown a lot of both types, and the answer is nope!
Bear in mind - a lot of tech on aircraft is a good twenty years old from the drawing board, and for the design of safety-critical bits of kit, requires many many years of testing and approving, don't expect to see anything come in anytime soon. Maybe on light aircraft where there's a lesser requirement for certification, but on larger/commercial aircraft, might see it coming in with the next Gen of aircraft, but for now, it's not a thing.
China Eastern took delivery of A350s with touch screen capability 7 years ago now. Only enabled on the Electronic Flight Bag as I understand it.Bear in mind - a lot of tech on aircraft is a good twenty years old from the drawing board, and for the design of safety-critical bits of kit, requires many many years of testing and approving, don't expect to see anything come in anytime soon. Maybe on light aircraft where there's a lesser requirement for certification, but on larger/commercial aircraft, might see it coming in with the next Gen of aircraft, but for now, it's not a thing.
Edit - shown in the Airbus video posted above by Peter tdci from 1min 50
Edited by 48k on Friday 30th January 11:41
I'm on the A320 which is refreshingly free of any touchscreens! Save for the flight attendant panel (in the cabin), everything is operated with a nice clicky button or sturdy switch.
Interestingly, Boeing has been testing touchscreen Flight Management Computers in their new 737 Maxes. Can't see this being a great idea, but when have they ever lead us astray
Interestingly, Boeing has been testing touchscreen Flight Management Computers in their new 737 Maxes. Can't see this being a great idea, but when have they ever lead us astray
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