Innovations in Aircraft Design

The aircraft company called Boeing has collaborated with NASA to develop an advanced aircraft. One of the advantages of this collaboration is the design of a digital light control system for fly-by-wire, light and power application. In developing the digital fly-by-wire system, researchers utilized the Apollo guidance, navigation and control hardware as the primary digital system. Fly-by-wire systems for control of wing and tail surfaces replaced bulkier and heavier pulley and cable systems on the Boeing 777.

The Boeing 777's modern glass cockpit is a system that uses computer technology to integrate information and display it on monitors in an easy-to-use format. Research was undertaken on the challenge of maintaining a pilot's situation awareness during flight operations. The evolution of the highly automated glass cockpit, particularly in commercial aircraft, has roots at Langley Research Center.

Here is the link to Boeing's web site. http://www.boeing.com/flash.html