Flight Controls

Question 1

What are the primary flight controls?

Answer 1

Aileron elevator and rudder

Question 2

What are the secondary flight controls?

Answer 2

Flaps, spoilers horizontal stab (and gust lock)

Question 3

What do each of the Flight Control Electrical (FCE) systems control

Answer 3

FCE 1 controls pitch trim backup and flaps

FCE 2 controls normal pitch trim and spoilers

Question 4

What are the flap position degrees and airspeed limitations?

Answer 4

Flap 1 is 8 degrees, 180 kts

Flap 2 & 3 are 26 degrees, 170 kts

Question 5

What are the 3 functions of the spoilers?

Answer 5

1. Roll spoiler - when flaps are at any position other than 0, and the control wheel is rotated more than 30 degrees left or right, the spoiler on the respective side deploys, providing increased roll authority
2. Ground spoiler - increases drag and dumps lift on landing/RTO to reduce required stopping distance
3. Speed brake - increases drag and dumps lift while in the air; only works with flaps retracted

Question 6

What conditions must be met for ground spoilers to deploy?

Answer 6

1 - aircraft on the ground
2 - thrust levers IDLE
3 - ground spoilers armed

Ground spoilers deploy to 35 degrees in approx. 1.2 seconds

Question 7

Will the speed brakes function in conjunction with the flaps?

Answer 7

No. The spoilers will not extend if the flaps are beyond 0 degrees. if open, the will retract if flaps are commanded to extend.

Question 8

What prevents the spoilers from opening further than their original position in the event of a loss of hydraulic fluid?

Answer 8

A hold-down lock valve. Traps hydraulic fluid in the retract chamber of the PCU in the event of a hydraulic fluid loss. It shuttles to the by-pass position allowing the check valve to close and block fluid from exiting the retract chamber or the PCU, thereby preventing the control surface opening further than its original position.

Question 9

If extended, at what airspeed will the speed brakes retract?

Answer 9

110 kts

Question 10

Will the speed brakes retract if the power is advanced?

Answer 10

Yes, if the speed brakes are deployed, or open, and you advance the power, they automatically retract. An EICAS message confirms speed brake retraction. Placing the speed brake switch to CLOSED (up) extinguishes the message.

Question 11

Describe the flaps.

Answer 11

Four-position, four-panel trailing edge fowler flaps mechanically actuated by jackscrews that are powered by a DC electric motor. The flight control electronics (EFC) operates one power drive unit (PDU) which drives 6 flexible shafts, which operate the flap actuators.

Question 12

What is the purpose of the spring loaded rudder booster (SLRB) system?

Answer 12

It provides force assistance to the pilot in case of thrust assymetry by controlling the spring preload of two tension springs.

Question 13

How is the SLRB actuator commanded?

Answer 13

The FADEC sends a signal to command the SLRB actuator when the thrust assymetry between the engines is greater than 500 lbs and the airspeed is greater than 60 kts. The system only activates if at least one of these two conditions is met:
1 - asymmetry between the engines equal to or lower than 250 lbs
2 - airspeed equal to or lower than 50 kts

Question 14

What besides the aircraft yaw damper provides yaw damping capability?

Answer 14

Ventral Rudder Surface.
Ventral rudder is automatically activated via air data inputs once airspeed reaches 60 KIAS on the takeoff run and any time the primary yaw damper is OFF. When the yaw damper is operating, the ventral rudder locks in trail.

Question 15

Which trims are commanded by the trim actuation system (TAS) through the trim panel?

Answer 15

Aileron and rudder trim.

Question 16

Describe the three second timer on the roll trim and rudder trim.

Answer 16

After 3 seconds of continuous trimming the actuator will not move, it is necessary to release the switch before commencing trimming.

Question 17

Where is the roll trim actuator installed?

Answer 17

On the left wing tip.

Question 18

How would roll or rudder trim failure be detected?

Answer 18

Switch activation will not move the trim tab; it will not function. There is no EICAS message to indicate its condition.

Question 19

Where are the auto-tab surfaces and what do they do?

Answer 19

The auto-tab surfaces are installed in the elevator surface trailing edge. The auto-tab surfaces are automatically deflected whenever there is an elevator surface deflection.