Design practice in the translation traditional and glass cockpit based on General Aviation I-31T aircraft

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present the results preparation of a new glass cockpit for a general aviation category airplane with a TP100 turboprop 180 kW engine. All the works were carried out within the framework of the European programme: “Efficient Systems and Propulsion for Small Aircraft” – ESPOSA.

Design/methodology/approach

As a part of the ongoing work, the avionics equipment available on the market were thoroughly analysed. Optimization of choice was defined at the level of costs, ergonomics and development requirements of the engine manufacturer. The paper presents the issues of the realized project and discusses its specific characteristics, such as advantages and disadvantages in comparison to the conventional analogue cockpit and the possibility of adaptation for the plane.

Findings

New avionics, ground and in-flight tests were carried out. The data were collected, which, together with an ergonomics assessment done by the pilot and the observer, confirmed the previously established technical and operational objectives.

Practical implications

Most airplanes, when being modernized, encounter minor or major problems. A new approach to upgrading the avionics, involving the exchange of a piston engine with a turbine engine, which is supported by 3D software, has allowed a significant reduction of working time and costs.

Originality/value

The achieved results allow specifying a plan of changes, necessary to adapt the aircraft to a new avionic system. However, an important value is to show a new development direction of the turbine engine implementation in general aviation aircrafts.

Citation

Dudziak, J. and Guła, P. (2017), "Design practice in the translation traditional and glass cockpit based on General Aviation I-31T aircraft", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 89 No. 6, pp. 749-756. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-04-2016-0058