1.12 Autopilot

Question 1

What are the 4 components of the Autopilot and Flight Director System (AFDS)?

Answer 1

1) Flight Guidance Computer (FGC)
2) Pitch Servo
3) Roll Servo
4) Mode Control Panel (MCP) - front and rear cockpit

Question 2

What are the 6 functions of the Flight Guidance Computer (FGC)?

Answer 2

1) Control of the dual-axis autopilot
2) Control of the autopilot and flight director engagement/disengagement state
3) Provision of the Flight Director Cues on the PFD and HUD
4) Provision of auto-trim
5) Flap compensation
6) Malfunction signaling through EICAS

Question 3

When the autopilot is engaged, how long do manual trims have to be run for the autopilot to be disengaged?

Answer 3

1 second or more

Question 4

Does FGC provide auto-trimming in pitch AND roll?

Answer 4

No, just pitch.

Question 5

What are the data inputs to the FGC?

Answer 5

1) 3-D inertial navigation data from the IRS
2) Air and navigation data from the IRS
3) Navigation data from the SFD for monitoring purposes.

Question 6

What are the two controls of the FGC on the control column?

Answer 6

• Tactile control steering (TCS)

- Autopilot disconnect switch

Question 7

What safety parameters are included such that if the autopilot exceeds them, the FGC will disconnect the autopilot?

Answer 7

1) Pitch attitude > +-22 deg
2) Roll attitude AoB exceeds 38 deg
3) Pitch rate exceeds +- 4 deg per second
4) Roll rate monitor exceeds 15 deg per second
5) G cutout if G is +1.8g or less than 0.2g
6) Out of trim

Question 8

What are the buttons on the Mode Control Panel (MCP)?

Answer 8

• Autopilot engage and disengage control (AP)
• Flight Director engage and disengage control (FD)
• Lateral Mode Controls (HDG and NAV)
• Approach mode control (APR)
• Vertical Mode Controls (ALT, P/S, VS)

Question 9

What autopilot information is shown on the PFD?

Answer 9

• Lateral Mode Annunciator
• Autopilot Status Annunciator
• Vertical Mode Annunciator
• Armed Lateral Mode Annunciator
• Armed Vertical Mode Annunciator
• Flight Director Cues

Question 10

What is displayed in the HUD when the autopilot is engaged?

Answer 10

Asterisk.

Question 11

What occurs if the autopilot is engaged outside its operating limitations?

Answer 11

It will revert back to its next limit value (I.e. if engaged outside 38 deg AoB it will go back to 30 deg AoB).

Question 12

What are the maximum engagement attitudes of the autopilot?

Answer 12

+-50 deg Pitch

75 deg AoB

Question 13

What are the normal operating limits of the autopilot?

Answer 13

+- 20 deg Pitch

30 deg AoB

Question 14

In what 6 ways will the autopilot be disconnected?

Answer 14

1) The AP key on either MCP is pressed
2) The autopilot disconnect switch on either control column is operated.
3) The pitch trim switch is operated for > 1 second
4) TRIM/AIL PWR switch is selected OFF
5) The stall warning tone sounds
6) The aircraft exceeds 75 deg AoB or +-50 deg in pitch or both while maneuvering