SBIR-STTR Award

ARNAV Systems Inc. (ARNAV) and Research Triangle Institute (RTI) propose the development of a general aviation (GA) Integrated Cockpit Display System, known as Panel 2000 that provides all flight, power plant and airframe information to the pilot in an intuitive, cognitive manner. The Phase I effort will investigate display formats that have been tested in transport category aircraft, and have shown to be more effective in relating the aircraft state to the pilot. This effort will determine if similar benefits can be obtained for the single-engine, single pilot that is prevalent in General Aviation. Symbology display formats from "Highway in the Sky" and Engine Monitoring and Control (E-MACS), both systems previously studied by senior research engineers at NASA Langley Research Center, as well as previous work performed by RTI, "Airborne Graphics Software Support System" (AGSSS), will be evaluated. The technology innovation proposed by ARNAV Systems, Inc. is the synergistic systems integration of the capabilities of its already developed GPS navigation module, a Multi-Function display, a data acquisition unit, and solid state sensors for engine and airframe data collection, with the advanced display concepts embodied by "Highway in the Sky", E-MACS and RTI technology. The key technology that will be investigated under the STTR program will be the systems integration software to control and coordinate the functions of these modules, and the human factors issues related to such integration. The project seeks to demonstrate Panel 2000 feasibility by assembling a prototype system that shall be subjected to verification testing in a ground simulation and in a flight measurements test program. The Panel 2000 innovation has near term commercial potential at a projected cost affordable by most General Aviation airplanes. The long term commercial potential lies in the global aviation market since advancements in cockpit technology will begin a new demand curve for general aviation aircraft. In addition, the Panel 2000 has both "forward fit" application for new aircraft designs, and "retro-fit" application to take advantage of the existing 200,000+ fleet of aircraft.

___(NOTE: Note: no official Abstract exists of this Phase II projects. Abstract is modified by idi from relevant Phase I data. The specific Phase II work statement and objectives may differ)___ ARNAV Systems Inc. (ARNAV) and Research Triangle Institute (RTI) propose the development of a general aviation (GA) Integrated Cockpit Display System, known as Panel 2000 that provides all flight, power plant and airframe information to the pilot in an intuitive, cognitive manner. The Phase I effort will investigate display formats that have been tested in transport category aircraft, and have shown to be more effective in relating the aircraft state to the pilot. This effort will determine if similar benefits can be obtained for the single-engine, single pilot that is prevalent in General Aviation. Symbology display formats from "Highway in the Sky" and Engine Monitoring and Control (E-MACS), both systems previously studied by senior research engineers at NASA Langley Research Center, as well as previous work performed by RTI, "Airborne Graphics Software Support System" (AGSSS), will be evaluated. The technology innovation proposed by ARNAV Systems, Inc. is the synergistic systems integration of the capabilities of its already developed GPS navigation module, a Multi-Function display, a data acquisition unit, and solid state sensors for engine and airframe data collection, with the advanced display concepts embodied by "Highway in the Sky", E-MACS and RTI technology. The key technology that will be investigated under the STTR program will be the systems integration software to control and coordinate the functions of these modules, and the human factors issues related to such integration. The project seeks to demonstrate Panel 2000 feasibility by assembling a prototype system that shall be subjected to verification testing in a ground simulation and in a flight measurements test program. The Panel 2000 innovation has near term commercial potential at a projected cost affordable by most General Aviation airplanes. The long term commercial potential lies in the global aviation market since advancements in cockpit technology will begin a new demand curve for general aviation aircraft. In addition, the Panel 2000 has both "forward fit" application for new aircraft designs, and "retro-fit" application to take advantage of the existing 200,000+ fleet of aircraft.