Flight Controls Flashcards
The fly-by-wire flight control system has different modes of operation. What are they?
Normal, Alternate, Direct, Backup, and Maintenance
During taxi, Blue CAS - “FCC Single Channel Fail”.
Can you dispatch?
Yes.
What keeps the flight control surfaces ‘locked’, in the absence of a gust lock?
Damped bypass mode in which hydraulic pressure is trapped to resist movement of surface (up to 60 kts).
An Amber CAS - “Spoiler Panel Fail” illuminates in flight.
What should pilot do?
Any limitation with this failure?
Complete QRH checklist for Spoiler Panel Failure.
Max airspeed of 285 kts/0.90 Mach.
How many ADS must be heated for NORMAL mode on the FCCs?
2
How can pilot(s) select the STBY ADS?
Pilot selection of the STBY ADS is not available. It’s ONLY available to the Standby Flight Display or automatically to DUs 1, 2, 3, or 4 during certain avionics and power failures
Amber CAS - “FCC Alternate Mode”.
What would cause this?
< 2 valid Inertial Ref signals, one of which MUST be from an IRU Or, < 2 valid ADS Or, Loss of comm from FCC to HSCU Or, Yaw Damper Failure
Amber CAS - “FCC Alternate Mode” in flight.
Can Flight Controls be recovered in this Mode?
If so, how?
Yes, if the problem that put FCCs in to the mode is corrected.
Press the FLT CTRL RESET iaw the QRH/AFM checklist
What is the purpose of the A/P DISC Switch?
- Disengages the autopilot
- Stops runaway trim
- Silences the AP DISC warning
How can the pilot disconnect the Auto Pilot, other than with the A/P DISC Switch?
- Physically override the flight controls
- Select AP OFF on the Guidance Panel
- Use and of the pitch trim switches
Name the four flight control modes
- Normal
- Alternate
- Direct
- Backup
What happens if all four FCC channels are invalid?
System reverts to the “Direct” mode.
What happens if all four FCC channels are unable to compute the control law?
Backup Flight Control Unit (BFCU) will activate to provide a ‘get home’ capability.
What’s the function of the FLT CTRL RESET switch?
Used to reset flight control computers and control surface actuators when directed by a checklist.
Removes lockouts for the FCCs
When are automatic ground spoilers not available?
Not selected to ARM, no WOW or wheel spin up.
In DIRECT or BACK UP flight control laws.
What is the return to zero feature of the stab?
When the flaps and stab reach 0° at simultaneously after landing when pilot retracts the flaps.
Name the primary flight controls.
Ailerons, elevators, rudder, and multi-function spoilers (i.e., mid-board and outboard spoiler panels).
Name the secondary flight controls.
Horizontal stabilizer, flaps, and inboard spoilers
How is pitch trim accomplished?
From either yoke mounted switch or center console mounted BACKUP PITCH trim switch
What’s the purpose of A/P DISC switch?
It disengages the autopilot and stops runaway trim in all three axes.
What’s the function of FLT CTRL RESET switch?
Used to reset flight control computers and REUs/control surface actuators when directed by a checklist.
What effect does loss of one hydraulic system have on the flight controls?
Loss of one spoiler pair Airspeed limitation 285/.90
What is common among primary flight control surfaces?
They have two (2) actuators and two (2) REU’s for each primary flight control surface except outboard spoilers. One of the actuators is an EBHA
What are control laws?
Software in the FCC’s that translate electrical commands from cockpit control sensors and aircraft motion sensors (inertial/air data) into flight control surface commands
How many computers control the flyby-wire flight control system?
Three (3) computers: two (2) flight control computers for normal operation and Backup Flight Control Unit in case both flight control computers fail.
What’s the minimum number of FCC channels that can command all flight control surfaces on the aircraft.
One.
What’s the purpose of Backup Flight Control Unit (BFCU)?
It’s designed to provide what Gulfstream calls “get home capability” if both primary FCC’s fail.
What happens once the BFCU becomes active?
It communicates directly with EBHA remote electronics units (REU’s) on separate backup data buses, and is active for the duration of flight.
Describe the Electric Backup Hydraulic Actuator (EBHA).
It’s a special actuator with self contained electric motor/pump and hydraulic reservoir.
What type of sensor input is provided to FCC’s?
Input from IRS’s, AHRS, ADS’s and radio altimeters