Automatic Takeoff and Landing Aircraft


Research: Automatic Takeoff and Landing

The two aircraft in this research have the capability of performing automatic and takeoff and landing maneuvers. The two types of aircraft being discussed are a manned Hawker-Siddely Trident and the Predator B unmanned aircraft system with complementary automatic systems.

The Hawker-Siddey Trident is able to perform the automatic maneuvers thru the installation of a system which enabled the aircraft to land automatically. The system is described by Century of Flight (n.d.) “An interesting feature of the Trident was its use in the development of a completely automatic blind landing system. This allowed the plane to land itself in conditions that would cause other planes to divert to other airports” (Century of Flight, n.d., para. 11). Conditions which would be detrimental for aircraft landing are high crosswinds, or low visibility weather. The automatic system used in the Trident was a beneficial technology used by the pilots for landing in inclement low visibility weather such as when fog was present.   

Additionally the capabilities of the system enabled aircraft operation in situations in which a pilot is not able to operate the aircraft due to a medical or physical condition which renders the pilot unable to land the aircraft. Maltby (n.d.) further states approval of the system by the United Kingdom “The automatic landing system, developed with Smiths Industries, was finally given full CAA approval in 1972” (Maltby, n.d., para. 6).  Upon retirement from passenger transport service the Trident was used in other types of duties. According to Maltby (n.d.) “Many of the retired Tridents were used as fire training aircraft at airports around Britain and some can still be seen in various states of disrepair” (Maltby, n.d., para. 8). 

Limitation of the system induced hard landing as described by Century of Flight “Although it was not known at the time, the somewhat less accurate flares led to the aircraft making rather hard landings, which led to premature fatigue in the spars of many aircraft” (Century of Flight (n.d. para. 11).   
The Predator B unmanned aircraft system is able to perform autonomous landing and takeoff as well as other maneuvers described by Kasitz (2012) “During the landings, the aircraft tracked the centerline, decelerated smoothly, and applied reverse thrust and full brakes at the appropriate ground speeds to a complete stop” (Kasitz, 2012, para. 2).

Some limitations initially included takeoff and landing during high winds, weight constraints, and terrain situation avoidance. Safety operation effects include issues derived from sense and avoid, and communication link interruptions. However, the issues of sense and avoid would not be an issue unless the Predator B is in close proximity to other aircraft in shared airspace.
Recommendations for future system upgrades would include the inclusion of a sense and avoidance system to be used in conjunction with each system. The systems currently allow automatic takeoff, landing, and in flight maneuvers. However, if sense and avoid technology could be incorporated into either system, the pilot would then have time to perform other necessary tasks such as flight plan deviations in case of inclement weather.

Additionally, the option for each system to maneuver the aircraft once the landing sequence has been performed and completed (using its sense and avoid capabilities), and (ALIAS) Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System which according to Drozeski is described as “a tailorable, drop-in, removable kit that would promote the addition of high levels of automation into existing aircraft, enabling operation with reduced onboard crew” (DARPA, 2017, para. 2). around the taxiway and into a hangar, or storage location would further be ideal for a pilot or ground control station crew in order to focus on other aircraft being controlled during flight.


References

 Drozeski, G. (2017). Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System, DARPA. Retrieved fromhttps://www.darpa.mil/program/aircrew-labor-in-cockpit-automation-system

Hawker-Siddeley Trident. (n.d.). Airlines and Airliners. Century of Flight, Retrieved from
http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/coming%20of%20age/Hawker-Siddeley%20Trident.htm#r

HS121 Trident History. (n.d.). DM Flight Sim. Retrieved from http://www.dmflightsim
.co.uk/hs121_trident_history.htm

Kasitz, K. (2012). The Predator B Demonstrates Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability.General Atomics, Retrieved from http://www.ga-asi.com/predator-b-demonstrates-automatic-takeoff-and-landing-capability

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