Navigating a plane by touchscreen

I'd be interested to hear what the human factors guys have to say about this. They build cockpits so that switches have unique physical characteristics to them so that when you touch them, you have additional feedback to tell you that you're grabbing the proper knob. The entire cockpit is laid out like this, and I think it's an important aspect of creating multiple layers of safety in the cockpit.

While I don't deny that touchscreens will work their way into the cockpit, I don't think we'll ever lose things such as thrust levers, yokes/sticks, and physical autopilot FMC's.
 
Doest the 787 and A350 have a few touch screen displays? A touch screen option is cool and all but it requires a little more finesse then just flipping a switch or pushing button.

I think it might work well for the generation currently being brought up on touch screen devices but for now the folks currently flying airplanes are button and switch people.
 
jtrain609 said:
I'd be interested to hear what the human factors guys have to say about this. They build cockpits so that switches have unique physical characteristics to them so that when you touch them, you have additional feedback to tell you that you're grabbing the proper knob. The entire cockpit is laid out like this, and I think it's an important aspect of creating multiple layers of safety in the cockpit.

While I don't deny that touchscreens will work their way into the cockpit, I don't think we'll ever lose things such as thrust levers, yokes/sticks, and physical autopilot FMC's.
Click to expand...

That's why I hate touch screen in the cockpit - could never adjust when we switched out our GPS for one.
 
jtrain609 said:
I'd be interested to hear what the human factors guys have to say about this. They build cockpits so that switches have unique physical characteristics to them so that when you touch them, you have additional feedback to tell you that you're grabbing the proper knob. The entire cockpit is laid out like this, and I think it's an important aspect of creating multiple layers of safety in the cockpit.

While I don't deny that touchscreens will work their way into the cockpit, I don't think we'll ever lose things such as thrust levers, yokes/sticks, and physical autopilot FMC's.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure I agree - I would have thought I would have agreed, then I flew it. It really is nice to "point and go." We have a GTN750 in our Pilatus which is touch-screen, it is actually the easiest GPS installation I've ever used. Not only that, but it took about 5 minutes to learn. I like it better than anything else I've ever worked with for a lot of reasons. We have a G1000 in our Caravan which I like very much, and I wish that was touch screen. I find a touch screen GPS way more "user friendly" to navigate through than the 430/530 system by far (and I have several thousand hours behind those).

Murdoughnut said:
That's why I hate touch screen in the cockpit - could never adjust when we switched out our GPS for one.
Click to expand...

Why is that? I find it easier to use than our 430/530 combo when I fly our Navajo, and honestly, I find it easier than the G1000 install in our Caravan?
 
jtrain609 said:
I'd be interested to hear what the human factors guys have to say about this. They build cockpits so that switches have unique physical characteristics to them so that when you touch them, you have additional feedback to tell you that you're grabbing the proper knob. The entire cockpit is laid out like this, and I think it's an important aspect of creating multiple layers of safety in the cockpit.

While I don't deny that touchscreens will work their way into the cockpit, I don't think we'll ever lose things such as thrust levers, yokes/sticks, and physical autopilot FMC's.
Click to expand...

I like physical switches for the same reason. Also, the gear and flap levers are distinct for a reason too (ditto power/condition on airplanes so equipped), as grabbing the wrong handle at the wrong time may have anywhere from annoying to catastrophic consequences.

Incidentally, it can be really tough to use the GTN avionics in anything greater than light turbulence.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
I like physical switches for the same reason. Also, the gear and flap levers are distinct for a reason too (ditto power/condition on airplanes so equipped), as grabbing the wrong handle at the wrong time may have anywhere from annoying to catastrophic consequences.

Incidentally, it can be really tough to use the GTN avionics in anything greater than light turbulence.
Click to expand...


I'd like to rebut this, I thought that would be the case, but in our airplane, it's still pretty easy to use even if things are bouncing around a good bit.
 
jtrain609 said:
I'd be interested to hear what the human factors guys have to say about this. They build cockpits so that switches have unique physical characteristics to them so that when you touch them, you have additional feedback to tell you that you're grabbing the proper knob. The entire cockpit is laid out like this, and I think it's an important aspect of creating multiple layers of safety in the cockpit.

While I don't deny that touchscreens will work their way into the cockpit, I don't think we'll ever lose things such as thrust levers, yokes/sticks, and physical autopilot FMC's.
Click to expand...

I have some time in GA airplanes with them, and I'm suspicious of them in airliners for for the above reasons...and because they aren't great in turbulence. Think about how much of a pain most FMS kkkkkeeeeyyyyyboooarrrddds are anyway, then imagine having to use a touch screen to turn on ignition, ice protection, etc.

I thought even the track pads in the E170's were a little weird, though.
 
I had a panel mounted touch screen GPS for a while. Hated it. Any turbulence and I felt like I was playing Operation trying to get my finger over the right spot.
 
ppragman said:
I'm not so sure I agree - I would have thought I would have agreed, then I flew it. It really is nice to "point and go." We have a GTN750 in our Pilatus which is touch-screen, it is actually the easiest GPS installation I've ever used. Not only that, but it took about 5 minutes to learn. I like it better than anything else I've ever worked with for a lot of reasons. We have a G1000 in our Caravan which I like very much, and I wish that was touch screen. I find a touch screen GPS way more "user friendly" to navigate through than the 430/530 system by far (and I have several thousand hours behind those).



Why is that? I find it easier to use than our 430/530 combo when I fly our Navajo, and honestly, I find it easier than the G1000 install in our Caravan?
Click to expand...

Pushing multiple times before it seems to recognize my input.
 
ppragman said:
I'd like to rebut this, I thought that would be the case, but in our airplane, it's still pretty easy to use even if things are bouncing around a good bit.
Click to expand...
I'm clumsy. ;) And to be fair, I think I tried it twice. A buddy of mine has a (over, really) very nicely equipped light twin that has the new touchscreen stuff.

(You'll get my GNS 430W out of my cold dead hands.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top