The EFAICTS project proposes to develop and integrate in Active Side-Stick Units (ASSU), optimised coupling and haptic functions for both Pilot/Co-pilot and Crew/Autopilot interactions. The concepts will be validated through modelling and evaluation on a simulation bench with experienced pilots.

For dual pilot configuration, ASSU technology can provide intuitive tactile cueing in the cockpit — all resulting in increased situational awareness, safety and improved ergonomic, performance and opens a new mode of communication between the pilot and the co-pilot. In addition, with passive inceptors, the principal information transfer from the aircraft to the pilot still remains visual cueing or alarms. Through ASSU, haptic cueing is an efficient and intuitive communication mode with the crew.

EFAICTS project proposes a Human-Centred Design approach, in which the end-users are at the heart of the development, from the beginning to the final evaluation phase. This approach will be applied in the four technical work packages about the flight scenarios definition and evaluation; the PF/PNF/AP interactions and transition phases definition; the specification and development of haptic feedbacks and ergonomic requirements; the evaluation of haptic feedback and ergonomic recommendations. The project will focus on a Tiltrotor aircraft and its specificities since operating as both rotary and fixed wing aircraft and as hybrids in the unique conversion corridor.

The activities and proposed solutions will lead to situational awareness improvement, crew coordination, workload reduction, better performances and weight reduction. All these benefits will result in more competitive aeronautic Industry in Europe a safer and greener aeronautics transport.

The proposed project is lead and conducted by the ONERA and will run over a period of 36 months, with a grant request is of 594,985€. EFAICTS will deliver a TRL6 level ASSU configurations optimised with intuitive coupling and haptic function.