Autopilot Flashcards
What is the main use of autopilot
To reduce pilots workload
How many axis can autopilot control, what are they
- Roll
- Pitch
- Yaw
- Collective
What are the 5 main components to an autopilot system
- A control device
- signal processor
- servo to flight controls
- control surfaces
- sensors
Are aitopilots often stand alone systems?
No, generally part of a more complex auto flight control system (AFCS)
What are the main components of an AFCS
- flight management
- flight guidance
- flight directors
- auto pilot
- auto thrust
What can a dependency on automation lead to
Loss of SA
What are the 2 main sub systems associated with the pc21 Auto flight control system
- autopilot and flight director system (AFDS)
- TAD
What 2 axis does the AFDS control the aircraft in
Roll
Pitch
What powers the AFDS
Gen 1 bus
At what degrees of pitch and bank will the autopilot disconnect at
+- 22° pitch
+- 38° bank
How are the pitch and roll servos connected to their respective control surfaces
Control Cables
What allows the pilot to manually override servo in the event of mechanical jam
Mechanical slip clutch
What autopilot related switches are mounted on the control column
Pitch and roll trim switch
Tcs
Ap disconnect
Where is the rudder trim switch
Pcl
What is shown on hud when AP us engaged
Asterisk
What supplies the autopilot with power
Gen 1 bus
Batt bus
Within the autopilot system, what does the batt bus supply
AP disconnect warning (AMU)
What components input to the FGC
IRS Front PFD ADC SFD Control column RIOC 3 MCP TRIM/AIL PWR SWITCH Safety monitors
Pressing the AP key on the MCP does what and what symbols appear on the PFD
It connects 2 basic modes (pitch and roll attitude hold)
And
Aircraft reference symbol chnages
Flight director que apprears (both attitude indicator PFD)
What are all the ways to disconnect AP
- Press AP key on MCP
- AP disconnect switch on control column
- Either trim switch is operated for more than 1 sec
- TCS is on. Pitch exceeds +-50° or +-75° AOB
- FGC monitors detect parameters which exceed servo rate limits
- stall
- TRIM/AIL PWR SWTICH OFF
When HDG mode is activated, how is the target heading set?
Rotaty switch on PFD
How can the pilot activate AP to hold current attitude
By selecting AP on MCP
What does the ALT mode allow the pilot to do
Intercept and hold current altitude
How would a pilot activate AP so the current airspeed is held
Pressing P/S (pitch/ speed) button
What visual cue appears to show this has been activated
Cyan bug on PFD ASI at set speed
When in VS (vertical speed) mode is there a safety feature to prevent a stall if PCL position is too low
No, aircraft will stall if there is inefficient power
What visual cues are given to indicate VS mode is active
Cyan bug on VSI and digital readout just above guage
What systems does the TCS switch pause
Pitch and roll
For what duration
Until switch is released
What are the normal operating limits of AP
+- 20° pitch
+- 30° AOB
What is the min height for AP engagement
400ft
What is the min allowed height for AP disconnect in precision approach in GS mode
200ft
What is the minima conditions for AP operation in IFR conditions
CAT 1
Whats the max glideslope angle for an ILS final, in GS mode
4°
If a trim monitor detects a fault what happens
Amber “AP TRIM” on MFD
aural tone
Attn gtrs
What happens if the pitch and roll servos are disconnected
Warning “AP DISCONNECT” flashing on MFD for 5 seconds
