Flight Controls/FCU Flashcards
What does ELAC stand for?
Elevator Aileron Computer
How many ELAC’s on the Airbus?
2
What are the functions of the ELAC?
- Control the elevators, ailerons and trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS)
- The ELACs compute the need for roll spoiler movement (which is sent to the SECs), and rudder yaw movement (which is sent to the FACs)
In the event a single ELAC should fail, what would happen?
The remaining ELAC is capable of providing complete control of the ailerons, elevators, and THS
What does SEC stand for?
Spoiler Elevator Computer
How many SECs installed?
3
What is the primary responsibility of the SECs?
Spoiler control- each SEC controls one or two pairs of spoilers
What does a FAULT light in a SEC pb mean?
The SEC is inoperative
What is lost with an inoperative SEC?
The spoiler panels associated with the failed SEC are inoperative
Both ELACs fail, can any of the SECs provide backup and of what functions?
- SECs 1 and 2 can provide backup pitch control of the elevators and THS
- Aileron control is lost and ailerons streamline
- Roll is accomplished with just the spoilers
What does FAC stand for?
Flight Augmentation Computer
How many FACs are installed?
2
What are the functions of the FACs?
- Rudder
- Auto turn coordination
- Yaw dampening
- Rudder limiting
- Rudder trim
- Characteristic Speeds
- Flight envelope and maneuvering computations
- Alpha floor protection
- Windshear detection
- Low energy warning computation (“SPEED, SPEED, SPEED”)
What happens if you select a FAC pb to OFF?
- Deactivates the cooresponding yaw dampening and rudder trim functions to that FAC
- If the FAC is still operable, it continues to compute all flight envelope functions and maneuvering speeds
What system prevents flap and slat asymmetry?
Wing Tip Brakes (WTB)
How many Slat/Flap Control Computers (SFCC) are installed?
2
What would occur if one SFCC failed?
The slats and flaps would continue to operate, but at half speed
What slat/flap configurations correspond to position 1 on the FLAPS lever and how do they differ?
- CONF 1+F is used for takeoff and provides both slats + flaps
- CONF 1 is used inflight and is slats only
When will the Automatic Retraction System operate?
During acceleration in CONF 1+F the flaps (not slats) will automatically retract to 0 at 210 knots
What is Alpha Lock?
This function inhibits retracting slats (not flaps) from 1 to 0 at high angle of attack or low airspeed
What happens to the ailerons when the flaps are extended?
The ailerons droop 5°
Is there any landing configuration when speed brake extension is inhibited?
Flaps full
In flight, what happens if a spoiler FAULT is detected or electrical power is lost?
The spoiler automatically retracts
When hand flying the aircraft can we trim the rudder?
Yes, by using the RUDDER TRIM rotary switch
What happens if you turn the RUDDER TRIM with the autopilot engaged?
Nothing
What is the RUD TRIM Reset button used for?
To reset the rudder trim to 0°
Is there any feedback in the rudder pedals from the yaw dampening or turn coordination?
No
What does the red arrow in the SIDE STICK PRIORITY light mean?
It illuminates in front of the pilot losing authority
How would you regain control with the red arrow in the SIDE STICK PRIORITY light illuminated?
- The last pilot to press the pb on the sidestick will have authority
- An aural “Priority Left/Right” will sound
What does the flashing green CAPT and FO SIDE STICK PRIORITY lights indicate?
Both side sticks have been moved simultaneously and neither pilot has taken priority
What happens when both pilots make an input simultaneously on the side stick?
- The inputs are algebraically summed - up to the normal limits
- An aural “Dual Input” will sound
- Green CAPT and FO lights will illuminate
What is the function of the LOC pb?
Arms, engages, or disengages the LOC mode
What do dashes in the FCU display windows along with the adjacent white dot indicate?
FMGS Managed Guidance is in use
How is Selected Guidance engaged?
Pull the appropriate selector knob
How do you confirm all autopilot, FD, and A/THR inputs?
Confirm all mode inputs by reference to the FMA
What is denoted by the blue triangle on the PFD? Magenta dagger? Green diamond? Yellow line?
- Blue triangle: selected heading/track
- Magenta dagger: localizer selection
- Green diamond: aircraft track
- Yellow line: aircraft’s actual heading
