NASA PAV sector research has shown that today's electronic technology allows aircraft to be intelligent vehicles that are self-aware and capable of safely flying without a pilot. Through the PAV Challenge, NASA and CAFE seek to extend this pioneering work into enhanced safety and ease of use for general aviation. Because of the exemplary safety record of student pilot flights with human Certificated Flight Instructors (CFI) aboard, the goal will be to attempt to create an electronic CFI for PAVs that lowers the pilot's workload. Future PAV Challenge competitions will give extra credit for PAVs with these capabilities.
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eCFI Flowchart.
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To assist PAV Challenge teams to implement such technologies, an eCFI network of experts in the field of intelligent flight deck, sensor and controls has formed and is now exchanging design ideas over the Internet. The diagram below shows a simple model of how an eCFI system might link a PAV's control system, avionics system and engine controls to assist the pilot.