Blunders in aircraft controls

[System Message]

The early days of aviation involved rapid advances in aircraft control. The original Wright Flyer used a cradle actuated by slideing ones hips from side to side to control the roll of the aircraft. While good enough to prove the machine could fly, the invention of fat pilots necessitated the need of a more elegant method of control.

The control stick rising vertically in front of the pilot's seat provided an intuitive and simple mechanism for controling the pitch and roll of aircraft. No further changes are known to have been requested by a pilot.

Not to let a good thing be unscrewed with, aircraft designers began designing control wheels that required separate motions for controlling pitch and roll, or sticks that have wheels at the top like boeing jetliners, or the spitfire that had a different motion for each axis of movement. Others use controllers from computer games like the F16 and Airbus mounted to the side so that they do not interfere with the pilot's lunch tray.

Cessna used a proper stick in the center of the floor in the L19, the C188, and maybe others. The new 162 Skycatcher gave Cessna a chance to correct the mistake of the control wheel in previous aircraft. What they did was use a regular yoke control, and saw half of it off so they could call it a control stick.


Messing with the control stick was was one of the great blunders in aircraft design history.

[slowstream]

Messing with the control stick was was one of the great blunders in aircraft design history.

Just to point out the obvious ................ this is according to you

Keep in mind that there are many people who have adapted and like the side-stick including me.

[iflyforpie]

If you ever flew a large Consolidated-Vultee product, you would appreciate who came up with the yoke..... and the co-pilot....

[niss]

Another blunder would be piper installing them in such a matter that they are prone to coming apart mid-flight and not paying for the repair.

[Panama Jack]

Well, System Message, I took to learning to fly Weight-Shift Control Aircraft a half-year ago and felt that weight shift provides more than adequate control. Bring it back on!

[imarai]

The Chrislea Super Ace had an unusual 'steering wheel' control arrangement which eliminated the conventional rudder bar. The wheel was mounted on a universal joint; turning it applied aileron, moving it vertically applied elevator and sideways the rudder.

http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/images/1004451F.jpg

[grimey]

Well, System Message, I took to learning to fly Weight-Shift Control Aircraft a half-year ago and felt that weight shift provides more than adequate control. Bring it back on!

I can picture this on Boeing's next product. "V1, Rotate. ATTENTION PASSENGERS, EVERYONE RUN TO THE BACK OF THE PLANE!"

[iflyforpie]

I can picture this on Boeing's next product. "V1, Rotate. ATTENTION PASSENGERS, EVERYONE RUN TO THE BACK OF THE PLANE!"

I think that would be the German contribution to the next Airbus project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVBPGZEVRH0#t=0m20s

[Siddley Hawker]

If you ever flew a large Consolidated-Vultee product, you would appreciate who came up with the yoke..... and the co-pilot....

Yes indeed.