Airbus A350-1000’s Project Dragonfly: Advancements in Automated Flight Technology

Title: Airbus Tests Autonomous Technology for Automated Landing and Taxiing

Subtitle: Project Dragonfly aims to enhance autopilot capability on Airbus A350-1000

Date: June 21, 2023

By Shiona McCallum and Ashley Swan, Technology Correspondents

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Airbus, the renowned aircraft manufacturer, is making significant strides in autonomous technology with its ongoing Project Dragonfly. The project, currently in its final testing phase, focuses on enhancing and developing autopilot capability for automated landing, taxiing, and emergency trajectory diversions.

The Dragonfly project, conducted on the Airbus A350-1000, aims to extend the aircraft’s autonomy beyond current capabilities. It specifically focuses on three areas: improved automatic landing, enhanced ground movement using self-propulsion, and automated emergency trajectory diversions.

One of the most dramatic aspects of the project is the development of an automated emergency landing system. This technology is designed to take over in situations where pilots may need to make difficult decisions or become unable to act due to stress. The system allows the aircraft to automatically descend and monitor other aircraft, weather conditions, and terrain. It can also communicate with air traffic control using a synthetic voice generated through artificial intelligence.

The challenge lies in teaching the system to process and make sense of vast amounts of information to come up with appropriate solutions. Miguel Mendez Dias, an automated emergency operations designer, explains that the system needs to retrieve information, listen for airport messages from air traffic control, and choose the most suitable airport for diversion.

Project Dragonfly has already achieved two successful emergency landings during test flights, demonstrating its effectiveness in critical situations. The French air traffic controllers fully understood the situation, and the plane landed safely.

In addition to emergency landing capabilities, the Dragonfly project also focuses on improving automated landing in regular conditions. While most large airports have technology that guides aircraft to the runway, not all airports worldwide possess this capability. To address this, Airbus has explored the use of various sensors, including regular cameras, infrared technology, and radar, to assist in automated landings. These sensors provide the pilot with more clarity, especially in challenging weather conditions.

Furthermore, the project aims to enhance the aircraft’s ground movement using its self-propulsion. This aspect of the project is particularly challenging, especially in busy airports. The technology provides audible alerts to the crew, alerting them to obstacles, advising on speed, and indicating the correct direction.

While the advancements in autonomous technology are promising, some pilots express reservations about relying solely on computers for critical decision-making. Tony Lucas, president of the Australian and International Pilots’ Association, emphasizes the importance of well-trained pilots and their decision-making abilities in complex scenarios.

Airbus continues to push the boundaries of autonomous technology, with Project Dragonfly showcasing the potential for enhanced autopilot capabilities in commercial aviation. As the project nears completion, the aviation industry eagerly awaits the integration of these advancements into future aircraft models, potentially revolutionizing the way planes land and taxi.Airbus Tests New Technology on A350-1000 Aircraft

Toulouse, France – Airbus, the renowned aircraft manufacturer, is conducting tests on its A350-1000 aircraft to enhance and develop autopilot capability. The project, known as Project Dragonfly, aims to extend the aircraft’s autonomy beyond current capabilities.

Over the past 50 years, automation in aviation has transformed the role of pilots, with technology playing a crucial role in the cockpit. The Dragonfly project focuses on three key areas: improved automatic landing, enhanced ground movement using self-propulsion, and automated emergency trajectory diversions.

One of the most significant advancements is the automated emergency landing system. In the event of pilots facing difficult decisions or becoming stressed, the technology takes over and guides the aircraft to safety. It can automatically descend and monitor other aircraft, weather conditions, and terrain. Additionally, the system utilizes artificial intelligence to communicate with air traffic control via a synthetic voice.

The Dragonfly project has successfully conducted two emergency landings during test flights, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness and the ability of French air traffic controllers to understand and respond to the situation.

In addition to emergency landings, the project also focuses on improving automated regular landings. While most large airports have technology to guide aircraft to the runway, not all airports worldwide possess this capability. To address this, Airbus has explored the use of various sensors, including regular cameras, infrared technology, and radar, to assist in automated landings. These sensors provide pilots with more information and clarity, especially in challenging weather conditions.

Furthermore, the Dragonfly project aims to enhance the aircraft’s movement on the ground using its self-propulsion. This aspect presents unique challenges, particularly in busy airports. The technology provides audible alerts to the crew, warning them of obstacles and providing guidance on speed and direction.

However, not all pilots are fully convinced of the benefits of such advancements. Tony Lucas, president of the Australian and International Pilots’ Association, expressed concerns about relying solely on technology for successful landings. He emphasized the importance of well-trained pilots making critical decisions on board. Lucas cited the examples of the two fatal crashes involving Boeing 737 MAX planes, where automated systems played a role.

Airbus acknowledges these concerns and emphasizes that further automation will only occur when it is deemed safe. The company’s goal is not to replace pilots but to enhance safety and efficiency. Fully automated aircraft will only be adopted if they prove to be completely safe and effective in protecting passengers and crew.

As Airbus continues to push the boundaries of aviation technology, the industry eagerly awaits the outcome of the Dragonfly project and its potential impact on air travel safety.

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Effectiveness in critical situations. Air traffic controllers fully understood the situation, and the aircraft landed safely.

In addition to emergency landing capabilities, the project also focuses on improving automated landing in regular conditions. By utilizing various sensors such as regular cameras, infrared technology, and radar, Airbus aims to provide pilots with more clarity, especially in challenging weather conditions.

Furthermore, the project aims to enhance the aircraft’s ground movement using self-propulsion. This technology alerts the crew to obstacles, advises on speed, and indicates the correct direction, particularly in busy airports.

While the advancements in autonomous technology are promising, some pilots express reservations about relying solely on computers for critical decision-making. Well-trained pilots and their decision-making abilities are considered crucial in complex scenarios.

As Project Dragonfly nears completion, the aviation industry eagerly awaits the integration of these advancements into future aircraft models. The technology has the potential to revolutionize the way planes land and taxi, showcasing the possibilities of enhanced autopilot capabilities in commercial aviation.