Story ID: 771AirbusEFanAINParis2015.doc
Airbus unveils E-Fan's “connected” cockpit
By: Thierry Dubois
Caption: Main displays will be tablets, to be used for student pilot briefing and debriefing
Word Count: 193
Airbus Group unveiled a “connected cockpit” for the E-Fan electric two-seater here at the show yesterday. It has been designed to “de-stress” the student pilot, said Jean Botti, the company’s chief technology officer. Airbus expects the main user of the E-Fan, from its entry into service in 2017, will be flying schools.

The two cockpit displays are detachable tablets. The instructor can use one to prepare the flight with the student while the latter will be able to anticipate what to display to the pilot, depending on the phase of flight. For example, the flight pattern can be displayed graphically in advance, with all waypoints clearly associated with the main pilot inputs.

Once on board, checklists are displayed one step at a time–again, to de-stress the pilot. In flight, in case of a low-battery situation, computers can suggest the best flightpath option, factoring in the distance to the closest alternate airfields, the remaining energy and the wind. After the flight, the tablet can be detached for the debriefing.

The E-Fan is scheduled to make a crossing of the English Channel (“La Manche”) on July 10.