AA Sys

Runs parallel with a line from wing tip to wing tip and intersects the x-axis at the CG.

lateral axis

On ________, the power to move the control surfaces is provided by the muscles in the pilot's arms and legs.

small light aircraft

On __________, it is physically impossible to move the control surfaces by muscle alone.

larger aircraft

Computes, amplifies, and processes the signal from the detecting and command elements and directs the output element to respond to the pilot's and or system requirements.

computer amplifier

Automatic pilot system flies the aircraft by using electrical signals developed in ___________.

gyro-sensing units

Refers to a system of automatic controls which holds the aircraft on any selected magnetic heading and returns the aircraft to that heading when it is displaced from it.

Automatic Pilot

When was the first aircraft autopilot was developed?

1912

he developed the first aircraft autopilot

Lawrence Sperry

indicators included in the first developed aircraft autopilot

gyroscopic heading indicator and attitude indicator

gives inertial rotation data of an aircraft

LASER gyro

where is laser gyro usually located

CG of the aircraft

Movement within each plane is _______, rather centered on axis.

about an axis

Three principal axes

longitudinal, lateral, vertical

Runs nose to tail through the CG.

longitudinal axis

Runs perpendicular to the other two axes intersecting them at the CG.

vertical axis

The control column is physically connected to the control surfaces by ________.

cables

Wide-bodied aircraft will incorporate some form of _________ to move control surfaces.

power assistance

Consists of units, which move the control surfaces of the aircraft in response to the computer demands.

output elements

Fifth element of many advanced autopilot systems.

feedback or follow-up

Basis for autopilot system operation.

error correction

When an aircraft fails to meet the conditions selected, an _____ is said to have occurred.

error

A _____________ manipulates the aircraft's controls so that any deviation from the desired attitude of the aircraft is corrected.

position-based autopilot

Uses information about the rate of movement of the aircraft, and move control surfaces to counter the rate of change that causes the error.

rate-based autopilot

Basis is "Gyro, accelerometers, and others and other sensor equipment can detect the uncommand attitude changes far more accurately and then provide an electrical output to an actuator or servo."

Fly-By-Wire Principle

When the pilot moves the control column or rudder pedals, an electrical signal from the stick or ________ is transmitted to an electrically operated actuator and the control surface is deflected by pilot's input.

pedals transducer

In this electrically operated system, it is _________, not _________, which control the actuator or servo operation.

electrical signals, mechanical inputs

The _________ of the aircraft provide the flight control computer with inputs of heading, attitude, waypoints, etc.

avionics system

Repositions the actuator with electrical signals to maintain the aircraft on the programmed flight path.

flight control computer

Electrical signals developed in the gyros when the flight attitude or magnetic heading is changed are sent to the autopilot computer/amplifier and are used to control the operation of _________.

servo units

A servo for each of the three control channels converts electrical signals into ________, which moves the control surface in response to corrective signals or pilot commands.

mechanical force

Provide for one, two, or three stabilized planes.

Autopilot systems

To stabilize the aircraft and reduce the pilot's workload

Primary purpose of an autopilot system

Longitudinal axis (X-axis)

Axis running nose to tail through the center of gravity (CG)

Computer amplifier

Component considered the 'brain' of the autopilot system

Created the first autopilot, reducing the pilot's workload

Significance of Lawrence Sperry's 1912 invention

It senses movement of the aircraft and provides data to the computer

Role of the detecting element in an autopilot system

Altitude hold

Autopilot mode maintaining a set altitude during flight

Improved damage tolerance and weight reduction

Major advantage of fly-by-wire systems

Unstable flight paths due to autopilot failure

Problem NOT faced by the Wright Brothers during early flights

It memorizes and returns the aircraft to the original attitude

Action in a position-based autopilot system when aircraft deviates from desired attitude

Automation-induced failures

Disadvantage of autopilot systems

Ailerons

Control surfaces moved by autopilot systems to maintain stability

Command element

Component responsible for moving the control surfaces of the aircraft in an autopilot system

When laser gyro fails

Situation where a backup attitude gyro is most necessary

They detect aircraft speed

Role of accelerometers in an autopilot system

It controlled all aspects of the aircraft's systems automatically

Reason autopilot system initially reduced the fatigue of pilots on long flights

Heading hold

Autopilot system holding the heading of the aircraft on a set course

The autopilot corrects the error to return to the desired flight attitude

Action if there is an error in the autopilot system during flight

It allowed for night and bad-weather flying

Key advancement introduced by Lawrence Sperry's autopilot system

Rate-based autopilot

Type of autopilot most commonly used in large aircraft today

Complacency and reduced alertness

Common result of over-reliance on autopilot systems by pilots

is a system that can significantly reduce workload during phases of flight it also refers to a collection of systems that automate a plane's operations

autopilot

how is frequency difference from laser gyro interpreted

through Analog-to-Digital converter

Where is the backup attitude gyro for laser gyro located?

cockpit instrument panel

advantages of autopilot

1. Reduce manual workload
2. Relief from small errors

disadvantage of autopilot

1. Failures due to false alarms

control inclusions of autopilot

navigation, altitude, speed, engine thrust

flight destination data from autopilot

flight route, destination, navigation

Where is the flight destination information from autopilot is displayed?

Multipurpose Control and Display Unit (MCDU)

This describes a complete flight from departure to arrival.

flight plan

most planes that seat more than ___ people have autopilot systems

20

Despite having autopilot when is the FAA requires pilot to be hands-on?

takeoff and landing

The autopilot technology and newer airport infrastructure allow for more automated landings, which are especially helpful in low visibility or bad weather events. TRUE or FALSE

TRUE

contains the elements from which the flight plan is constructed

Navigation Database (NDB)

NDB required information for building a flight plan.

Airways, Airports, Standard terminal arrival (STAR)

interval for updating the navigation database

28 days

What are the major elements of Automatic Flight Control System?

Detecting Element, Command Element, Computer Amplifier, Output Element

What consists detecting element?

gyro, rate gyros, accelerometer , pitot-static system and air temperature probes

What consists command element?

pilot's control panel, pilot's stick, rudder pedals, navigation

It is considered to be internal controls or inner loop of the system.

Detecting Elements

It is considered to be external controls or outer loop of the system.

Command Elements

This is the brain of the system, processes signal from detecting and command elements

Computer Amplifier

This element consists of units, which move the control surfaces of the aircraft based on the computer demand.

Output elements

how autopilot mode maintains set of operating parameters

through Flight Control Unit

autopilot operating parameters

Attitude Hold, Heading Hold, Vertical Speed Hold, Altitude Hold

basic AFCS loop consists of

detection, amplification, correction, follow up and the aircraft response loop

The function of this signal is to cancel the input signal by applying an opposite signal proportional to the command required to bring the aircraft to the desired attitude.

follow up signal

This signal nulls initial input error signal.

servoactuator feedback

FMS meaning

Flight Management System

RNAV meaning

Area Navigation

MCDU meaning

Multipurpose Control and Display Unit

NDB meaning

Navigation Database

AFCS meaning

Auto Flight Control System

FCU meaning

Flight Control Unit

X-axis

Longitudinal

Y-axis

Lateral

Z-axis

Vertical

stability about the longitudinal axis

lateral stability

stability about the lateral axis

longitudinal stability

stability about the vertical axis

directional stability

The control column on small light aircraft is physically connected to the control surfaces by these.

cables

Power assistance is provided by these on larger aircraft.

actuators or servo

actuators and servo can operate through these inputs

mechanical inputs or electrical inputs

This is the basis for autopilot system operation.

error correction

two basic ways modern autopilot systems do error correction

position based and rate based

manipulates the aircraft's controls so that any deviation from the desired attitude of the aircraft is corrected

position based autopilot

use information about the rate of movement of the aircraft, and move control surfaces to counter the rate of change that causes the error

rate based autopilot

what autopilot system is commonly used by large aircrafts

rate based autopilot

uncommand changes is detected by gyro, accelerometers, etc. which will send electrical signals to an actuator or servo

fly-by-wire

In this electrically operated system, it is electrically signals not mechanical inputs, which control the actuator or servo operation.

fly-by-wire