Cockpit Design

The cockpit may be considered the most vital part of the airplane, for in its all function of the airplane and its
power plant are coordinated and directed by the pilot and his sides.

The cockpit for an airplane should be constructed to give the maximum possible comfort, adequate vision, and
accessibility to all controls. In a cabin plane, consideration must be given to headroom, ventilation and vision.

SUGGESTED PROCEDURE IN COCKPIT DESIGN:

The pilot must be comfortably seated – and it is desirable that his legs make an angle of not greater than 45
degrees with the floor to assure comfort in flight.

The windshield should not be curved in more than two directions because distortion of scene may result.

All switches and controls which pilot must operate should be located as close to him as possible. Those
instruments which do not have to be operated manually may be farther away, BUT MUST BE GROUP
ACCORDING TO FUNCTIONS. The more important functional group is located in front of him.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

a. Windshield Outline
b. Angles and field of vision
c. Instruments and their location
d. Power plant controls and their location
e. Pilot’s and co-pilot’s seats
f. Primary control systems
g. Brake System
h. Hydraulic controls for brakes, flaps, tabs, etc.
i. Automatic-pilot equipment
j. Radio instrument
k. Lighting
l. Heating and ventilating
m. De-icing equipment and controls
n. Oxygen equipment
o. Accessibility; emergency exits.

NOTES:

The cockpit and primary control units should be located with respect to the propellers that the pilot or controls are not in the region
between the plane of rotation of any propeller and the surface generated by a line passing through the ce nter of propeller hub and
making an angle of 5 degrees forward and aft of the plane of the rotation of the propeller

If the airplane carries less than five passengers, the pilot/s are located in a compartment separated from the cabin. Entrance to the
cockpit from the cabin is permitted, nut passage through the cockpit should not be considered as an emergency exit.

When the pilot is entirely separated from the passengers, suitable means for communication between the pilot and passenger is
necessary.

Oxygen suppky or a supercharged cabin is required for the crew and passenger above 18,000 ft. altitude or when operation for more
than 15 minutes above an altitude of 14,000 ft.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (Windows and Windshield)

1. Satisfactory forward vision under all conditions.

2. Suitable protection under all conditions.
3. Windshields should be easily opened in flight.
4. Windshields should be so arranged that the air stream and snow or rains are deflected across the
opening when the windshields are opened.
5. The windshield arrangement should be such as to give minimum interior reflection and glare which
might interfere pilot’s vision.
6. Leakage into the compartment during rain or snow should be avoided.
7. Windshields fronting on the sides of the cabin may be kept of ice by means of a rotary windshield
wiper that operates at relatively high speed.
8. The glass (windshield) should not lie too flat. An angle between 0 and 45 degrees between the vertical
and plane of the glass when the airplane is horizontal is recommended.
 9. The thickness of the glass depends upon the type and size of the plane. In general, nonshatterable
glass, at least 3/16 inch thick should be used.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (Seating)

1. The pilot’s seat should be adjustable vertically, as well as fore and aft and angularly. The back of the
seat should not be too high.
2. The seat should be provided with arms, so designed that the inside arm can be swung out of the way
when getting in or out of the seat.
3. When a wheel control is used, the height of the wheel should be such that it will clear the pilot’s legs
with the seat in its highest position so that the range of seat adjustment will not be limited.
4. The range of distance from the centerline of the seat and the rudder pedal bar is 35.5 to 41.5 inches
or a total variation of 6 inches.
5. The seat to eye height, with pilot inclined 13.5 degrees back, has a range varying from 26.9 inches to
34 inches.
6. Desirable clearances in the cockpit for the pilot who is clothed with full operational equipment:
a. Above head, atleast 2.5 inches
b. Across shoulders, 24 to 26 inches
c. Across elbow, 26 to 28 inches
d. Across each knee, 6 to 8 inches

EMERGENCY EXITS

a. If the cockpit is not accessible from the cabin, a separate door should be provided for the cockpit.
b. If the windshield is large enough when opened, it may serve as an emergency exit.
c. An opening for an emergency exit should be atleast 17 x 24 inches when rectangular in shape or 24
inches in diameter if circular.

PROTECTION FOR PILOT

In order to lessen or prevent injury, surfaces against which the pilot might hit his head in a crash should have
the following characteristics:

a. Should be flat or have large radii for curvature

b. Should be rigid enough to help support the head but should deflect under contact
c. Should be smooth, with no sharp edges to cause local high pressure intensity
d. Should be made for absorbing a relatively large amount of impact or kinetic energy.

CONTROLS

a. The distance from a control wheel in its rearmost position to the back of the pilot should at least 12
inches.
b. The height of the wheel should clear the pilot’s leg with the seat in its highest position.
c. The maximum movement of the controls should correspond to the maximum movement of the control
surfaces.
d. In a small airplane, seating 2 to 5 passengers, for example, it is customary to place a passenger
alongside the pilot. In such case, the control column or stick should be not located between the pilot
and passenger unless the “throw-over” type of wheel control is incorporated.