Flight Management Systems

This work describes the historical evolution of a critical aspect of aerospace technology—avionics and navigation systems. This history is important to understanding current and future issues associated with aeronautics, space-flight development, and flight management, because avionics is crucial to commerical air traffic control and space flight. Samuel Fishbein provides a historical overview of aviation electronics and instrumentation, the evolution of automated systems and their integration, and the role of the pilot in this environment. In addition, he reviews the major elements comprising the flight management system and the evolution and operation of these instruments, discussing why the instrument panel is configured the way it is, and how ground and space-based components of the systems have influenced the design of airplane components.

." . . Sam Fishbein's new book Flight Management Systems is an important contribution to the aerospace literature. Covering both the historical and technical aspects of the subject, Fishbein has prepared a valuable reference source for workers and students in the rapidly developing and complex field. It is unique, filling a void that has existed in the reference material for this field for years. It should be on the shelves of all people with an interest in flight management systems."- John D. Anderson, Jr. Special Assistant for Aerodynamics National Air and Space Museum Professor of Aerospace Engineering University of Maryland, "Flight Management Systems is a comprehensive, factual coverage of the many facets making up what the author has chosen to designate "Flight Management Systems." It endeavors to integrate the various disciplines involved with the avionics and instrumentation that enables the flight crew to control flight and interface with the equally complex ground air traffic management system. The author has provided a useful and valuable document for not only the engineer but for the researcher, student, and lay reader. Flight Management Systems is also an outstanding reference document on that subject."- William T. Hardaker aviation consultant and pilot, "Flight Management Systems is an invaluable technical guide to the burgeoning and increasingly complex devices that make it possible to operate aircraft in the myriad missions assigned to them regardless of weather conditions. It is also a concise and readable history of the development of these devices. Samuel Fishbein's book will be most welcome to researchers as it fills a long-standing gap in the availability of reference materials."-Donald S. Lopez, Former Deputy Director National Air and Space Museum, "Mr. Fishbein has been in charge of the curatorial work for the National Air and Space Museum's large avionics and instruments collection. This manuscript provides an authoritative treatment of the subject, one that is alert to both historical detail and technical development. As it has been noted, there are few books covering this technical field. This projected book will make an important contribution to the field and I endorse it with enthusiasm."- Von Hardesty, Editor Smithsonian History of Aviation Book Series, ?Fishbein's readable and authoritative survey of flight management electronics provides a welcome insight into a highly technical but vitally essential area of aeronautics. Using a minimum of technical language, Fishbein explains the evolution of avionics during this century and furnishes a glimpse into a future when artificial intelligence becomes part of flight management systems. This fine volume also includes an annotated bibliography of important technical literature. All levels.?-Choice

SAMUEL B. FISHBEIN is a Museum Specialist in the Department of Aeronautics and Chairman of the Aerospace and Technology Committee of the National Air and Space Museum. A senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, he holds degrees from Hebrew Technical Institute and American International University.