pbr6891

On some of the newer IFE the Flight path feature allows to choose different view points .. including the cool cockpit view including heads up display ...


Does anyone knows why some of the views including this one cant be selected during approach/landing (below 10000feet ...) ?

is it because some of the view can cause discomfort for some passenger ... high speed / low altitude .. ?

WineCountryUA

Security concerns?

ryman554

On ANA you can. It's just a graphic anyhow. Not 3D or anything.

But i do like the landing gear one. Is that available on UA?

mahasamatman

I've found that every airline I've flown recently has done this. I'm sure it's all in the name of security.

econ

What's the rationale? Some other carriers have actual cameras that one can view throughout the entire flight.

WineCountryUA

Trying not to go OMNI on this, but some may feel there is much more identifiable info on the provided example.
I have no idea of the objection or agreeing, but rather just threw it out as a possibly. But let's not get into a OMNI debate on security, this is not the place for that.
Please offer an alternative suggestion

econ

Ok fine. I guess I'll consider myself lucky that it's still allowed to keep the window shades open during takeoff/landing.

Actually, it never would have crossed my mind that it was for the reason mentioned. I figured it was because the IFE system didn't have the capability to generate a realistic graphic at low altitudes.

WineCountryUA

Did not think of that, very plausible

DataPlumber

Poorly written software, limited local storage, and limiting the amount data to reproduce the terrain views at various heights of the flight....

naaaaah... The horror if it was true.

Repooc17

You mean outside cameras? Not available on UA.

Say Vandelay

Agreed. The data is way too low res. Flight simulator really heats up my GPU when close to the ground but frame rate soars when above 10k.

bocastephen

Not sure I understand the security concern here other than perhaps clueless bureaucrats? I can easily reproduce the same information on my phone using faster wifi (ok, not on United), google maps satellite view, iPhone compass for altitude, and I'm sure there are other apps that would show more detail to bring everything together in one screen.

The same silliness that causes some crews to refuse Ch9, even though I can just listen on my phone through the LiveATC app

Delta has a similar feature in their IFE, but the views were not disabled - however the information wasn't exactly that accurate.

eng3

Exactly my thought.

Also, the "security" argument is probably more of a "privacy" argument. Though since people can look out the window and satellite and streetview is available online, I don't know about that argument.

I think they just have a satellite map of the world loaded in memory somewhere. The amount of storage needed goes up exponentially as you zoom in. So they cut of off somewhere and then use "digital zoom" to get closer. Ofcourse you can't zoom in forever or it would look terrible so they set a limit.

A video camera (like other airlines) would be much cooler.

I'd happily give up all that if they'd just get working Ch9 again. Thus far, I have not successfully been able to follow a complete flight using liveATC. The map display is something I can easily reproduce in greater detail and accuracy on my phone.

hhdl

DL definitely turns off the cockpit, etc. views at 10k feet. AF likewise, although exterior cameras remain on from gate to gate.

bocastephen

Well 🤷🏼‍♂️ not on the two Delta flights I was on last month. Maybe they need to be turned off manually?

The whole thing makes no sense at all.