New Technology in Private Aviation
How ADS-B, Autopilot, and new construction techniques provide convenience and safety in private aviation.
Technological advancements in private aviation are cause for celebration. As aircraft are designed, flight procedures are refined, and safety is perfected. The private aviation industry is one where small technical improvements can pay large dividends. In fact, millions of dollars are spent per year on R&D and hardware to enable technical improvements on aircraft.
These can be broken down into two main categories: convenience and safety. Convenience advancements improve the experience and environment for private fliers, while safety advancements are more self-explanatory, providing peace of mind and security for passengers. Both are becoming increasingly important to private flyers, and examples of each are shown below.
Convenience Features in Private Aircraft
One major difference between commercial flights and private charters is the cabin environment. Commercial aircraft typically offer shuttle configurations, meant to be as efficient as possible in getting multiple passengers from one place to another. Granted, commercial passengers now enjoy video screens built into the headrests, along with WiFi capability, in-flight meals, etc. However, those conveniences pale in comparison to a private aircraft’s cabin.
Ever get too cold in an airline seat? Many private charter aircraft allow passengers to adjust their own temperatures and fan speeds depending on where they are seated. These climate “zones” represent a major upgrade over the cabin of an airliner, which remains at a single temperature for the duration of the flight, whether the passengers like it or not.
Another huge convenience of flying privately is new to aviation within the past few years. Using LED lights throughout the cabin, the pilots of a private aircraft can adjust the light’s color temperature to mimic the various stages of sunlight throughout the day.
For example, if a trip occurs in the morning, the crew can adjust the lighting to match the soft and warm glow of the sunrise. This helps the body recognize the time of day and allows passengers to wake up naturally. As the day progresses, the cabin lighting gets brighter and more neutral in color temperature, then darkens with a gradient effect toward dusk and evening. By using light to its advantage, a private aircraft cabin can “trick” the human body into recognizing the time of day and giving passengers a more comfortable flying experience.
Lastly, flight technologies that fall within the convenience category can also be seen in the cockpit, where pilots use various functions to provide a more enjoyable experience for passengers. While not new, Autopilot has proven to be an instrumental tool in an aircraft’s repertoire, enabling the crew to fly more smoothly and faster. Most passengers don’t realize that many of the small adjustments an aircraft makes during flight are handled by the computer, driven by the Autopilot. It maintains the aircraft’s course, altitude, and throttle inputs to keep the plane flying straight and true, and can even compensate for slight turbulence and weather conditions.
Safety Features for Private Aircraft
When discussing tech in the aviation industry, safety is arguably as important as convenience, if not more so. A safe aircraft is a happy aircraft, and the same applies to passengers and pilots. Entire sub-industries have been created in the pursuit of safety, such as the aforementioned Autopilot and ADS-B, which is an incredible technology that makes it almost impossible for aircraft to collide mid-air. Aviation is already one of the safest forms of travel, and these tech advancements only widen the gap even further each year.
One of the biggest changes to private aviation, starting in 2020, is the requirement to use ADS-B in United States airspace. ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, a surveillance technology that automatically transmits and receives aircraft locations to and from each other. Thus, pilots don’t need to see an aircraft to know its location in the air, as the ADS-B radios on each plane can communicate with one another, preventing mid-air collisions. It works by combining satellite navigation data with air traffic control ground stations to form protective areas around each aircraft.
If two planes are flying towards each other, their respective ADS-B modules determine which aircraft is higher and which is lower. This revolutionary new tech enhances safety by allowing aircraft to be visible to one another at all times, in all weather conditions, on the ground or in the air. In fact, it is deemed to be so vital to safety that the FAA requires all charter aircraft to operate with fully functioning ADS-B modules on board.
In addition to providing a smooth ride for passengers, Autopilot also enhances safety and security for private aircraft. It’s no mystery that pilots are one of the most skilled professionals in the hospitality business, but even they can benefit from a system that doesn’t get tired and is always vigilant. While Autopilot was developed in the early 1900s, it has only recently become attainable to almost any aircraft operator, bringing most charter aircraft into the realm of Autopilot use. Using the sensors around the plane and integrating with the flight surfaces, one can think of Autopilot as the perfect mechanized pilot, reducing the stress and fatigue for pilots and keeping the aircraft on a safe course throughout the trip.
Even aircraft frames and construction are benefiting from new technologies, such as stronger lightweight materials that boost rigidity and increase efficiency. Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (or CFRP for short) is a strong material that many manufacturers are incorporating into their designs. These improved design technologies allow aircraft manufacturers to improve the aerodynamic properties of wings, improving efficiency. Even the shape of the body of the plane can make large differences with only millimeters of adjustment.
Summary: New Technology Enhances Both Convenience and Safety in Private Jets
In any industry, technological advancements have the potential to greatly revolutionize products and enhance their impact on customers. In private aviation, this is increasingly true. As the demand for convenience and safety features increases, private aircraft operators and owners will continue to benefit from keeping up with technology.