Aircraft safety is paramount in all aviation operations. At the same time, airline operators have to look at ergonomics and how they influence pilot performance. Although Airbus and Boeing cockpits are largely similar in terms of displays and flight controls, one significant difference exists: Side Sticks and yokes. How do they affect flight safety and pilot experience?
The Airbus uses a Side Stick for its flight maneuvering. Its design allows pilots to control it using a single hand. The Side Stick is usually installed on the side console of the pilotand is operated centrally using one hand. Although each pilot has a sidestick, they are not connected.
Because the Side Stick is single-handed and centered, it allowspilots more space to interact with the information systems in the cockpit. Airbus has taken advantage of the Side Stick to revolutionize its design of cockpits, making pilots have an easy time with flight controls. The Side Stick is not connected with the control surfaces directly using mechanical linkages, and sends electronic signals to the control surfaces.
The yoke was the standard tool to maneuver an aircraft until Airbus designed a Side Stick for the A320 in 1985. It is still used on all Boeing aircraft. The yoke is shaped like a wheel and installed in front of every pilot. Depending on its size, the Boeing yoke might obstruct the pilot from seeing some flight controls and displays. A pilot has to use both hands to control the yoke, with each hand holding each side of the wheel.
Therefore, each cockpit has two yokes, and the two yokes are connected such that action taken on one yoke is reflected on the other. For this reason, it allows for better coordination between pilots. The yoke is connected also connected with the control surfaces using mechanical linkages.
Comparison- yokes require more pilot effort because they are larger in size, making the effort arm movement have a longer arm. However, it gives the pilots better control in case of an emergency and pilots have to manually take control of the aircraft. On the other hand, the Side Stick is more sensitive to maneuver and allows pilots more space to interact with the other controls and displays in the cockpit. More importantly, both the Boeing yoke and Airbus Side Sticks are approved for use by the Internal Civil Aviation Organization.
Bottom line – there is no difference in terms of aircraft safety between the Airbus Side Stick and the Boeing yoke. Also, despite their pros and cons, the level of convenience for the pilot depends on the pilot preference, and varies from one pilot to the next.
By Aeropeep Team