Passive inceptor developed for the advanced air mobility market

Sensata Technologies has created a new fly-by-wire inceptor for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and has supplied prototypes to several advanced air mobility manufacturers.

A passive inceptor is a cockpit control device via which pilot inputs are collected and transmitted to actuators through the fly-by-wire system on the vehicle. Inceptors commonly use position sensors like RVDTs (rotary variable differential transformers) to give the inceptor stick’s actual positions to output to the flight control system.

The company combines its world-class position sensors, multi-axis controllers and expertise in other cockpit controls to supply inceptor solutions that meet the strict safety and reliability design necessities to achieve airworthiness certification and are excellent for advanced air mobility, urban air mobility, trainers and other electric aircraft applications. Sensata’s passive inceptor is available in one, two or three axis movement designs, with each axis utilising at least three RVDTs for precise position output.

The most common use of the three-axis inceptor is to control the pitch, roll and yaw of the vehicle and offers self-centering and independently customisable operating force in each axis. The grips that the pilot interfaces with can be tailored to every vehicle’s operational needs, including integrated switch functionality.

“Our decades of expertise in the aerospace sector, together with our wide range of sensing and power solutions that enable electrification, uniquely positions Sensata as a leading supplier in the advanced air mobility space. We’re excited to be a part of the industry’s transformation as we work with innovative companies to develop solutions for new electric aircraft,” explains Stuart Parker, Aerospace general manager at Sensata Technologies.

Farnborough Airshow, July 18-22, Hall 4, Booth 4138.