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" ELECTRONIC ATTITUDE DIRECTOR INDICATOR " 1970s BOEING EADI PROTOTYPE FILM 707 AIRCRAFT 72772

4,165 views · Published 27 May 2015 · 13:17 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: PeriscopeFilm · 2015 · Education

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This Boeing film dates to the early 1970s and explains the company's new Electronic Attitude Director Indicator then under development.  The EADI incorporated cutting edge computer technology and was an early form of "glass cockpit" technology.  The EADI was developed in part through work on Boeing's Supersonic Transport or SST.  The flight test program used a Model 80 outfitted with cameras that picked up ground images. Includes shots of Boeing aircraft including the 747 and 707 models.

Boeing's development of the Electronic Attitude Director Indicator (EADI) stems from air traffic growth and the need for better pilot information and control capabilities. Originating from flight control issues identified in Boeing's supersonic transport research in 1965, the EADI was created to address the limitations of existing instruments, particularly for monitoring auto land systems in low visibility. Using a visual flight simulator and prototype testing in the 707 (Dash 80), Boeing refined the EADI, incorporating features like pitch increment lines, thrust management indicators, and radio altimeters. The system was tested in various locations, leading to improvements based on feedback from airline representatives. The EADI also holds potential for integrating advanced sensor outputs like radar or micro vision. As a result, several avionics firms are now developing similar systems for future airline use.

0:12 - Air traffic growth stimulates the development of larger, faster aircraft and increased pilot information/control capability.
0:43 - Boeing's research is focused on advances in computer fields for navigation and control.
1:03 - Boeing's technical staff developed a new concept for attitude director and landing situation information: the EADI.
1:24 - The EADI concept evolved from flight control problems in Boeing's supersonic transport research in 1965.
1:37 - Pilots requested a gross expansion of the pitch indicator scale during test missions.
1:51 - Pilots reported limitations of existing instruments for monitoring auto land systems in low visibility.
2:09 - Development of the EADI concept began on a visual flight simulator at Boeing's Kent, Washington facility.
2:26 - A breadboard instrument was mounted in the 707 prototype, known as the Dash 80.
2:35 - The display screen occupies the top center position of the pilot's basic T panel.
3:06 - Control panel for symbol display; explanation of the symbol format.
3:11 - Basic attitude display: fixed miniature airplane, bold black horizon line, sky, and ground.
3:26 - Pitch increment lines: 10 degrees and 5 degrees.
3:44 - Roll commands: right and left.
3:53 - Computer-driven flight director symbols: fly right, fly left, fly up, fly down, and zero commands.
4:29 - Airspeed error display: too fast, too slow, and on reference.
4:44 - Actual flight path angle display: climbing, level flight, and descending.
4:59 - Thrust management indicator: potential flight path bar indicating thrust adequacy.
5:33 - Radio altimeter with a range of 780 feet; altitude displayed in 10-foot increments down to 90 feet.
6:00 - ILS window for displaying raw localizer and gliding information.
6:15 - Excessive deviation from the localizer and glide slope.
6:52 - Crabbed approach problem handled with drift sensors.
7:36 - TV input for viewing approach terrain with flight path and pitch scale displays.
8:00 - EADI tested in various locations and in connection with other programs.
8:32 - EADI demonstrated to airline representatives in Wichita, Kansas, leading to improvements based on feedback.
9:16 - EADI evaluated for use in steep angle noise reduction approaches.
9:44 - Night landings tested under turbulent conditions in Kansas.
10:38 - Simultaneous with breadboard testing, Boeing invited bids for prototype EADI systems.
11:03 - Prototypes delivered to Boeing's developmental center for extensive bench testing.
11:12 - Altimeters follow the same pattern as the breadboard instrument.
11:40 - Adjustable pitch reference line added for visual approaches.
12:00 - Potential for displaying advanced sensor outputs like radar or micro vision.
12:31 - Several avionics firms developing similar EADI systems for airline service use.

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