Flight Control System Flashcards
What does the flight control system do?
Stable control for all parts of an A/C’s flight control surfaces, and gives input assistance for the pilot to overcome the enormous aerodynamic forces acting on the flight control surfaces
Primary FCS for Fixed-Wing A/C: (3)
Pitch - Elevators / Canards
Roll - Ailerons / Flaps
Yaw - Rudder
What is the purpose of extending the flaps?
raise the maximum lift coefficient of the aircraft and therefore reduce its stalling speed.
What is the purpose of trim tabs?
maintain a particular desired altitude without the need for the pilot to constantly apply a control force, thus reducing pilot workload.
Primary FCS for Rotor-Wing A/C: (3)
Main Rotor - Collective Stick (Thrust)
Main Rotor - Cyclic Control (Roll and Pitch)
Tail Rotor - Yaw
What does the collective stick do?
changes the pitch angle of all main rotor blades, thus increasing or decreasing lift
What does the cyclic control do?
enables a helicopter to move in any desired direction
What is the purpose of tail rotor?
Introduces counter-torque rotation
How does the helicopter achieve horizontal flight?
Tilting the axis of the main rotor
What does banking involve?
combination of roll and yaw
The two traditional methods of connecting a pilot’s controls to the rest of the FCS are: (2)
Push-Pull Control Rod System
Cable & Pulley System
