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Abstract

Computer based cockpits typically interact with the pilot through glass covered displays, and are called glass cockpits. Glass cockpits came first to military aircraft and then to commercial aircraft. Most recently, they have become available for general aviation aircraft. However, price remains a significant barrier for low cost aircraft. At the same time, the price of computers suitable for embedded applications has dropped precipitously. The Raspberry Pi 3B is an example of just such a computer, and can be purchased for $35 to $40. This paper seeks to evaluate the suitability of this single board computer for use in an experimental glass cockpit solution. The required functionality of such a solution is detailed – both in term of functionality and in terms of internal workings. The Raspberry Pi 3B computer is then evaluated for potential suitability to drive such a solution. This evaluation is based on mathematical analysis and on the experiences of the world’s hacking community – which has embraced the Raspberry Pi with open arms. Finally, the paper discuses programming techniques and software that the author has evaluated for creating such an experimental glass cockpit. It is the author’s hope that this solution can be implemented in the near future, and that 2Fly with RPi becomes a fully functional open source experimental aircraft situational awareness aid.

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