Device for controlling a cursor of a graphical user interface of a flight unit

A device for controlling a cursor of a graphical user interface of a flight unit that is installed in the cabin of a helicopter, the device comprising:

• a base structure;
• a graspable body shaped to be grasped by a hand of an operator and movable with respect to the base structure by a manual force provided by the operator by his/her hand;
• a force sensor coupled to the graspable body and designed to sense movements of the graspable body with respect to the base structure along at least a first axis and a second axis;
• and
• an interface circuit designed to convert signals provided by the force sensor into a control signal of the graphical user interface of the flight unit in order to move the cursor along a first axis and a second axis of the graphical user interface based on the force provided to the graspable body by the operator;
• wherein the graspable body is provided with a number of control components provided on the external surface of the graspable body and designed to be finger-actuated to provide control for the flight unit or for other units,
• wherein the graspable body has a truncated-conical shape and extends along one axis;
• wherein the graspable body is limited by an external surface provided with a number of protrusions, projections or bumps designed to improve the gripping properties of the graspable body;
• wherein the graspable body is configured to constitute an element that enables a pilot hand to stay in a rest position also in a vibrating environment;
• wherein the graspable body is provided with at least one confirming component placed on the external surface of the graspable body having truncated-conical shape and designed to be manually actuated to enable the control signal to be sent to the graphical user interface of the flight unit in order to move the cursor so that the control of the cursor is possible once the at least one confirming component is manually actuated.