Automated Takeoff and Landing

            One system currently being set up for automated takeoff and landing capabilities in manned aircraft is the Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System, or ALIAS. This system was designed be Aurora Flight Sciences in a project funded by the United States military’s research wing, DARPA (Aurora, 2017). The design of this system allows it to be fitted inside nearly any aircraft type, fixed wing or rotary wing. Designed to reduce aircrew operations, the ALIAS system as a fully adjustable level of automation, depending on the needs and preferences of the pilot. It is capable of learning all levels of aircraft operation, from takeoff to landing, and anything in between, including various contingencies.

            The ALIAS system utilizes cameras trained on the cockpit instruments, customizable plugins that can be configured for a wide variety of aircraft, an in-cockpit tablet to serve as a user interface, and AI software to actually learn how to fly the aircraft (Aurora, 2017). To control the aircraft, the system uses robotic manipulation of both primary and secondary flight controls, designed based on customer needs and application requirements to the specific aircraft being operated. The whole point of the system is to augment the human pilot’s capabilities, taking much of the burden of flight off of their shoulders. Depending on the needs of the pilot, the system can simple monitor instruments, or fully take over flight, all on the fly as determined by the pilot (Aurora, 2017).

            An Unmanned Aerial System operating in the skies above Overberg, South Africa recently demonstrated autonomous takeoff and landing capabilities. The UAS, called Sagitta, is a jet-propelled demonstration vehicle developed by Airbus Defense and Space and the German Aerospace Center (Aerospace-Technology, 2017). This system uses a phased approach for the takeoff maneuver: initiation, ground acceleration, rotation, transition and initial climb, and finally waypoint climb and departure (Barker, 2017). Each phase of the takeoff sequence triggers controller modules in the auto flight system in order to provide appropriate commands to perform a successful autonomous takeoff (Barker, 2017).

            I think that autonomous takeoff and landing systems are very valuable tools to the future of aviation. Personally, I see a future where all aircraft are eventually “unmanned” as far as piloting is concerned, and having a system that can operate during these critical phases of flight is vital to their success. I do think that there needs to still be a way for a human operator to take control during certain situations, but that should really only be a rarity, not a commonality. I think that the ALIAS system is a great start for the introduction of this technology into manned aircraft. It is adjustable to the pilot’s needs/comfort level, which makes it a less invasive and less intimidating than simply forcing the pilot to “let go” of control. Because of this, I see it as a more viable solution to autonomous takeoff and landing needs.