SmartASS Videos

The videos^† on this page are produced using a flight simulator connected to a real SmartASS unit. The simulator sends airspeed and acceleration information to the SmartASS and the resulting audio output from the SmartASS is captured along with the simulation's window.

Using a simulator to drive the SmartASS was initially done while the product was being developed to make the development process quicker and cheaper. New ideas could be thoroughly evaluated using the simulator before being tried in a real aircraft.

To obtain the smoothest playback (and help reduce server bandwidth), please download the video to your computer first and then play the local copy. For most browsers, pressing the RH mouse button above the image will popup a menu. Select the option that says something like: "Save link as...".

Takeoff

This video (7MB) simply shows the SmartASS being used in talking ASI mode during takeoff and the early part of the climb. Nothing exciting happens!

At the start of the video, the aircraft (a C172) is just starting its takeoff roll. The SmartASS is turned on but remains silent until the speed passes 25 Kts.
Good job it's a nice wide runway!
Once circuit height has been reached (or at some point in the climb), the SmartASS can be switched to sleep mode. It will silently monitor the airspeed and G until either the pilot wakes it up or the speed has reduced to the approach speed and then it will wake up in speed director mode.

On Approach

This video (11MB) shows how the speed director mode is used to help the pilot achieve a stable approach. It also shows how the SmartASS quickly detects increased wing loading (in this case due to abuse of the controls.)

At the start of the video, the aircraft (a C172) is on a short final, the speed is decaying and the SmartASS is reporting the speed in talking ASI mode.
When the speed has reduced to the "target speed", the SmartASS automatically changes to speed director mode and reports the target speed. At this time, if the aircraft was fitted with a retractable U/C, the SmartASS would alert the pilot if the wheels were not down. Because the speed is still decaying, the SmartASS almost immediately reports that the speed is slow. After a few seconds the speed recovers to "good".
At around 25 seconds into the video, the yoke is deliberately pulled back very sharply to increase the wing loading and the SmartASS quickly alerts the pilot (even though the indicated airspeed has not changed very much).
The approach speed is stabilised again and from 30 to 50 seconds the speed is "good". Notice how the volume of the voice decreases as the good speed is maintained.
In the flare, the SmartASS grumbles because the speed is so low and then it drops back to talking ASI mode.

† Videos recorded using DemoRecorder.