Flight Controls

Question 1

What is the only primary flight control that is not FBW (Fly-By-Wire)?

Answer 1

• Ailerons

Question 2

What is the difference between normal mode and direct mode?

Answer 2

• There are no higher level functions available in direct mode.

Question 3

What are the higher level functions associated with pitch?

Answer 3

• Gain on Airspeed
• Elevator Thrust Compensation
• AOA Limiting/Stall Protection

Question 4

What are the higher level functions associated with yaw?

Answer 4

• Yaw Damping
• Turn Coordination
• Thrust asymmetry
• Gain on airspeed - as airspeed increases, rudder deflection decreases.

Question 5

What is the priority for the Trim System?

Answer 5

• Back-up
• Captain
• First Officer
• Autopilot

Question 6

How is Roll controlled?

Answer 6

• Ailerons and multi-function spoilers (outer 3 spoilers on each wing)

Question 7

How many Multi-function Spoilers are on each wing?

Answer 7

• There are 5 spoiler panels total.

- Only the outboard 3 on each side are considered multifunction spoilers.

Question 8

What are the functions of the Multi-function Spoilers?

Answer 8

• 3 outboard spoilers are used for roll control, speed brakes and ground spoilers
• 2 inboard spoilers are only used for ground spoilers.

Question 9

When will the Speed Brakes automatically close even if the lever shows deployed?

Answer 9

• Flaps = or > 2
• Airspeed < 180 kts
• TLA > 70 degrees

Question 10

What is the flap/slat extension/retraction sequence?

Answer 10

• Slats extend first & retract last

Question 11

Will loss of airspeed data cause the flight controls to revert to ‘DIRECT’ mode?

Answer 11

• YES

Question 12

What happens to Artificial Feel if the Aileron(s) or Elevator(s) are disconnected?

Answer 12

• Aileron
• If the CA Side (left) is jammed…no Artificial Feel on the FO’s side
• Elevator
• Artificial feel is felt at 1/2 the normal load.

Question 13

How are the Flight controls trimmed?

Answer 13

• Roll & Yaw:
• Ailerons and Rudder surface repositioned to a new ‘neutral position’
• Pitch:
• Horizontal Stabilizer

Question 14

Will the Speed brakes / Ground spoilers function in ‘DIRECT’ mode?

Answer 14

• NO, but Roll Spoiler function is still available via default programmed values

Question 15

What happens to the flight control system when the RAT is the only AC power
source?

Answer 15

• Horizontal stab trim operates at 1/2 speed
• Slat/flap system operates at 1/2 speed
• Slat / flap position is limited to ‘3’ to allow adequate airspeed for the RAT

Question 16

What are the two main parts that make up the flight control electronics?

Answer 16

• The Primary Actuator Control Electronics (P-ACE)

- The Flight Control Module (FCM)

Question 17

What do the Primary Control Electronics (P-ACE) control?

Answer 17

• The P-ACE units control the Rudder and the Elevator surfaces.

Question 18

What is the purpose of the Flight Control Modules (FCMs)?

Answer 18

• The FCM(s) provide software-based assistance (digital) to the P-ACE and is
  required for normal-mode operation of the Flight Controls System. They take
  default analog signals and automatically provide digital augmentation for finer
  control or higher level function (i.e. is the Pilot input do-able).

Question 19

.How long does the Fly by Wire Backup Battery (Lead Acid) last?

Answer 19

• 15 Minutes

Question 20

Describe what happens if the Roll Disconnect handle is pulled following an Aileron
Jam?

Answer 20

• Right Aileron Jam:
• The Captain retains control of the left aileron and the pair #5 of multi-function
  spoilers will remain available with normal artificial feel.
• Left Aileron Jam:
• The First Officer retains control of the right aileron without artificial feel and
  roll trim since the feel mechanism is attached to Captain’s half of the system,
  the pair #4 of multi-function spoilers will remain available.

Question 21

What is Maximum Slat/Flap setting if RAT is Deployed?

Answer 21

• SLAT / FLAP 3