Wired may be one of the first to get inside the cockpit for a dramatic “test-drive” of one of Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliners. Fans of tech, flight, and air travel in general may want to read the article, and take a quick look through some of the photos that include not only the cockpit, but also passenger areas.
The wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner with capacity for 210-290 passengers is a bit of a techno beast. As Jason Paur writes while seated in a jump seat in between two test pilots, “If I’m honest, it’s a bit overwhelming. Five large screens display all manner of flight data, while a panorama of cockpit windows provide a command view of the Midwest passing beneath us.”
One interesting detail that differentiates Boeing’s design from competitor Airbus is its real-time force feedback. Though both utilize fly-by-wire technology, the Boeing requires more or less force depending on the level of control input required. Think of it as using a brake pedal on a newer model car- even though the pedal is electronically controlled the further you depress the stronger the resistance.
Also, after a quick read of the article you’ll find out why (in a Dreamliner at least), “losing an engine during flight is now a non-event.” Hmmm… I’m not so sure I want to be one of the first passengers to put that theory to the test. Airframe anyone?!
