Bernard Ziegler was the most influential figure
in developing the cockpit design and fly-by-wire
control system for the Airbus airliners. He
proposed that numerous technological innovations
be applied to Airbus aircraft; for example,
using composites, twin-engine configuration for
the A300, fly-by-wire and many others. He was
the guiding force in the creation of the flight
envelope protection, incorporated in the Airbus
flight-control software.
This innovation allows the pilot to apply the
maximum control forces considered necessary,
while preventing inadvertent inputs that could
place the aircraft outside the safety margin.
This feature is considered by many to be highly
beneficial in avoiding unusual attitudes in
flight and in safely maximizing the
effectiveness of evasive maneuvers in response
to GPWS warnings.
FBW has significantly reduced the overall
accident rate as demonstrated in 24 years of
experience with more than 150 million flight
hours and more than 65 million flights by close
to 7000 a/c in service all over the world.
Fly-by-Wire means that there is an interface
replacing the mechanical systems in an aircraft.
It transfers the pilot’s commands to the
aircraft via electrical signals. Years of
reliable service around the world have validated
FBW’s significant benefits through commonality,
improved flight safety, reduced pilot workload,
a reduction of mechanical parts, and real-time
monitoring of all aircraft systems.
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