Flight Controls

Question 1

All flight controls are fly-by-wire except….?

Answer 1

The Ailerons. Even all the spoilers are FBW.

Question 2

What does the E-PBIT test?

What does the H-PBIT test?

Answer 2

The electrical components of the FBW (Fly-by-wire) system.

The hydraulic components of the FBW (Fly-by-wire) system.

Question 3

On the flight control page, you will see that the Rudder, and Left and Right Elevator each have ___ actuators.
How many actuators for each surface are powered at any one time? Why?

Answer 3

2.
Only one. (normally alternate each day). This allows for even wear and redundancy. Note: Each actuator for the same control surface is powered by a different hydraulic system.

Question 4

What are the two different modes that the flight controls can operate in?
What is the difference?

Answer 4

Normal = FCM's provide High Level Functions (such as pitch limiting).
Direct = FCM's are bypassed. No High Level Functions.

Question 5

What protection logic do the Slats/Flaps have?

Answer 5

Skew Protection (asymmetric flap or slat movement). Strike Protection (Stops movement if force required is too great).

Question 6

Will you get a NO TAKEOFF, TRIM aural if the ROLL or YAW trim is not centered?

Answer 6

No, only the elevator is monitored. It must be in the green band.

Question 7

How do you cycle the FBW system between NORMAL and DIRECT mode?

Answer 7

By use of the Flight Control Mode Buttons.

Question 8

FBW Elevators have Higher Level Functions while in Normal Mode, what are they?

Answer 8

AOA Limiting (helps prevent a stall).
Pitch Stabilization. Helps prevent pitching moment with thrust changes and during configuration changes.
Deflection Limiting (less deflection at higher speeds).

Question 9

What will you loose if the FBW Rudder system is put in Direct mode?

Answer 9

Rudder Deflection Limiting. Yaw Dampers. Turn Coordination.

Question 10

MFS Spoilers and Ground Spoilers have Higher Level Functions while in Normal Mode, what are they?

Answer 10

MFS deflection based on airspeed and speed brake deployment (allows for more precise low-speed control).
Ground Spoilers automatic deployment on landing and automatic stowing when thrust added for go around.

Question 11

As long as the Shaker Cutout buttons are not pressed IN, when will the shakers activate?

Answer 11

When pitched to the PLI (pitch limit indicator).

When airspeed is reduced to the LSA (low speed awareness) region.

Question 12

What does the ACE (actuator control electronics) do?
What does the FCM (flight control module) do?
What does the PCU (Power Control Unit) do?

Answer 12

ACE connects the control column electronically to the control surface providing a direct analogue control.
FCM provides software-based assistance to the ACE’s to provide Higher Level Functions. (operative in Normal Mode only).
PCU uses commands from the ACE and FCM to hydraulically actuate the control surface.

Question 13

Are there trim tabs on the aircraft?

Answer 13

No, the entire surface area is trimmed.

Question 14

Manual Pitch trim is limited to ___ seconds before “TRIM” is announced.

Answer 14

3 seconds.

Question 15

If only half of the pitch trim switch is activated for more than ___ seconds, what happens?

Answer 15

7 seconds, the switch is disabled.

Question 16

What is the Stabilizer Trim Priority?

Answer 16

Back Up Switch.
Captain.
First Officer.
FCM (auto-trim).

Question 17

What is the red button on the yoke?

Answer 17

The AP/TRIM DISC button.
Short Press = Disengages autopilot.
Press and Hold = Both trim channels are disabled.

Question 18

How many spoilers are on each wing? Which ones are ground spoilers and which are multifunction spoilers.

Answer 18

5 on each wing:
3 Multi-function spoiler (outboard),
2 Ground Spoilers only (inboard).

Question 19

Speedbrakes will automatically retract if…

Answer 19

Airspeed is slower than 180.
Thrust near TOGA (70 degrees TLA).
Flaps greater than 1.

Question 20

Ground spoilers automatically deploy on landing as long as spoilers are in ___ mode.

Answer 20

Normal.

Question 21

Roll or Yaw trim can be interrupted by…

Answer 21

Memory item! Pressing and Holding the AP/TRIM DISC button.

Question 22

Does the autopilot trim roll when engaged?

Yaw?

Answer 22

Yes.

No.

Question 23

What are the primary flight controls?

Secondary?

Answer 23

Ailerons and spoilers, elevator, rudder.

Horizontal stabilizer, flaps and slats, spoilers (as speed brakes or on the ground), dedicated ground spoilers.

Question 24

How many ACEs and FCMs are there?

Answer 24

9 ACEs and 4 FCMs:
3 Primary-ACEs (P-ACE): rudder and elevator.
2 Slat/Flap ACEs (SF-ACE).
1 Horizontal Stabilizer ACE (HS-ACE).
3 Spoiler ACEs (S-ACE).
4 FCMs.