• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
WittySparks Logo White

WittySparks

Ignite Your Thoughts

  • Topics
  • Reviews
  • Newsletter
WittySparks / Technology / Computer Technology and The Aviation Industry
Computer Technology in Aviation

Computer Technology and The Aviation Industry

Technology July 21, 2015 by Nishitha

Computers are an integral part of the aviation industry and have been since the 1950s when aeroplanes featured onboard analogue computers. The computers assisted in controlling the planes, and functioning and were mostly used by fighter pilots.

In aviation, the earliest computers improved radar functioning and offered pilots more control over guns and missiles. Pilots also used a HUD, or heads-up display, to assist them with weapons management.

Today’s aeroplanes use a flight management system (FMS), which is an embedded computer system capable of automating in-flight tasks. The computer uses sensors to navigate the plane and create a fast and safe flight plan which reduces the workload for pilots and the rest of the crew.

Advanced Computer Technology was First Implemented to Save Money in the Aviation Industry

Prior to the 1980s, the aviation industry used wind tunnels to test the aerodynamics of aircraft. These expensive structures weren’t needed after advanced computer programs became capable of performing those tests and conducting computational fluid dynamics (CFD) experiments. This meant a safer, more aerodynamic aircraft without overspending.

According to the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, “Because powerful computers and CFD programs could be bought by any large company (unlike wind tunnels, which could not be bought from a supplier), commercial aircraft designers no longer had to build models to fly in government wind tunnels.”

This saved the aviation industry a lot of money and eventually led to supercomputers being utilized to manage millions of calculations per second (something a human being was never capable of doing).

Supercomputers have resulted in incredible feats of aviation engineering and eventually led to the creation of the Boeing 777, “the first Twenty-First Century Jet.” It was the first of its kind: “100 percent digitally designed using three-dimensional computer graphics.” It is larger and safer than any passenger plane that pre-dated it.

21st Century Aviation is Driven by Computers

Today, companies such as Kontron (a global leader in embedded computing technology) have developed computing systems capable of testing and operating every aspect of aviation, from VPN access to entertainment choices to critical system components. Passengers can book their tickets online, check in faster using on-site kiosks, and enjoy in-flight entertainment like never before.

Imagine gaming on your international flight; this is a possibility with wireless cabin environments. To test this feature, Kontron has developed the Avionics System Integration Lab (SIL), which simulates this environment and allows airlines to make the passenger experience more comfortable by reducing the time it takes to get connected wirelessly.

Moreover, SIL allows airlines to test the system’s ability to work with customer devices prior to and during implementation. For passengers, this means a more rewarding and entertaining flight in a fully connected environment on all of their new-age devices.

The Future of Aviation and Computer

The aviation industry would not be what it is today without the use of computers, but what does the future hold for this industrial coupling?

Auto-pilot is already utilized to fly long-distance planes with little help from a pilot. Imagine if a computer application could do more than take over on long-distance flights. Imagine if a computer application was capable of taking off and landing without human interaction. It’s possible that aviation could become fully automated with little need for pilot interaction.

Automaton technology is a long way off, but “the Airborne Internet” is a technology that is being developed to provide pilots with information on weather and other aircraft in the immediate area. Using a global information system, aviation computers will trade information, including flight plans. This is a technology designed to keep passengers, airline staff, pilots, and cargo safe.

It seems the future of flight will result in fewer accidents, increased safety, and a more entertaining experience for everyone on board.

Image Source: Manage plane air traffic control distribution aircraft

Related Topics

  • Blockchain Technology: How Will It Change the Digital World?
  • Morningscore Review: How does the best SEO tool perform?
  • Why More People Need to Learn AI Skills
Previous Post: « Big Tips for Growing Your Small Business Successfully
Next Post: HiderateMe – A Smart and modern water bottle for a healthy life! »
Profile picture for Nishitha

About Nishitha

Co-founder of WittySparks
WittySparks Staff

I am done with my Physiotherapy Graduation. And I always try to share Health and technology tips with people. Apart from Physiotherapy and being a tech savvy, I do explore more on Technology side and I keep sharing my findings with wider audience.

View all posts by Nishitha

Primary Sidebar

Search

Exclusive Coupons

  • Moqups coupon code: WITTYSPARKS for 20% or PARTNERS50 for 50% discount.
  • WPForms coupon code: WITTYSPARKS for 50% off.
  • Serpstat coupon code: wittysparks_discount for 30% off.
  • SEO Buddy coupon code: WITTYSPARKS for 25% off.
  • Morningscore coupon code: wittysparks for 30% off for 3 months.
  • FlexClip coupon code: WITTYSPARKS for 30% off.
  • Uplead coupon code: “witty” for 30-day free trial.
  • FastestVPN coupon codes: WITTYSPARKS15 or WITTYSPARKS10 or Get up to 93% OFF.
  • Outranking.io coupon code: WITTYSPARKS50 for 50% off.

For more such offers visit our exclusive offers for SEO, Bloggers, Marketers and for Business owners.

Featured Productivity Software

Notion logo
Notion

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a large team, Notion Workspace can help you stay organized and get more done. Get started today and take your productivity to the next level.

Try Notion for FREE

Footer

Affiliate Disclosure

If you make a purchase from WittySparks links, we will receive a small commission. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

Sponsors

Partnered with FreePik to use the licensed images.

turn to dhgate for smartphone

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Copyright © 2023 · Hosting sponsored by Rocket.net (Affiliate link)

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Like
  • Pinterest