Glass panels have replaced steam gauges, that's a fact. Will composite really make metal structure obsolete?

Question

Read the first answer, and have to say that Cirrus, Diamond, and Columbia seem to be outselling Cessna, Mooney, Raytheon, and Piper in the single engine piston market.
I guess my question is will this trend continue and eventually make aluminum obsolete.

John B : Ain't noth'n coming out of the plant factory new with a six-pack these days. That's what I meant

O.K. guys, I'll be even more specific.
The engine mounts, etc. are steel, not aluminum. Same with some hinges and things.
The OMF Symphony had composite skins over steel tubes, but never went into production.
What certified plane has that type of structure?
Also, with dual batterys and dual alternators powering independent busses, the back up steam gauges are already disapearing. I think you need multiple screens that can each display all functions though.
Nano is coming, and nobody knows what the future holds.
Cessna put a bid in for Columbia, now in chapter 11.
I predict that Mooney will cease to exist, and thA

that Raytheon will abandon the Bonanza.
Cessna will slowly phase out the labor intensive metal high wingers as they add composite airframes through their overseas Columbia division.
The most popular plane in the history of aviation - the Skyhawk- will continue on in name, but will be a composite low winger.

Answer 1

80 years ago they all used wood and cloth.

80 years from now is anybody's guess.

I'm betting on self-healing nano-machine composite materials.

But for now, I want a steel chassis on my car.

Answer 2

Well, glass panels have not completely replaced the older style guages. Most general aviation aircraft and even some of the larger business jets still have some standard guages as a supplement, or back up. I don't think composites will make metal structures completely obsolete. There are some things that metal is still better for, like engine mounts that deal with a lot of vibration. And Metal is still cheaper, though heavier. So it will be a long time before composites replace metal as a structural material.

Also, important to note, many of the aircraft you mention still have metal structure, with composite skins.

Answer 3

C'mon baby...that's "steam gauges", no longer "steam, powered gauges", and the term is a euphemism for analog flight gadgets as adversarial to digital flight reflects. the two maximum excellent instructors interior the worldwide are Embarrassment and Failure. you in common terms had a lesson from Mr. Embarrassment. Steam powered gauges...pshhhawww!!!!

Answer 4

Doubtful, there aren't enough out there yet for the technology to be proven. the composits have had alot of failures. There aren't alot of glass panels yet either, not enough to say they have replaced steam gages.
Alot of people still buying new Cessnas.

Answer 5

normal panel is always gonna stay even though glass panels are superior but then in a way its just for the safety , coz say u have a batt fail , glass systems will turn off and u wouldnt know where u are and where ur flying , thatway u have a normal device to look upto

Answer 6

In certain categories, yes, but I believe that most GA aircraft will be at least partly metal because it can be repaired and composites cant. Thats not a problem for large aircraft that are rarely ever damaged.

Answer 7

It's a fact that glass panels have replaced steam guages? Damn wish somebody'd let my boss know that on our 727 executive jet. If they ain't round we ain't got em.

Answer 8

i think the aluminum airframe will be around for years to come..i think composite will only go as far as replacement panels..

Answer 9

Like someone just said, they are making nano-composites, which are supposed to be extremely strong.

Answer 10

Not for many years as the technology is still in it's infantsy.