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Flashcards in Autopilot Introduction Deck (27)
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1
Q

What is the purpose of the autopilot system?

A

To relieve the pilots workload, allowing more time to concentrate on other more pertinent flight details.

2
Q

What are some functions that autopilots can provide?

A

1) Flight Stabilisation
2) Manœuvre Control (Heading /altitude hold)
3) System Coupling (Following a NAVAID)

3
Q

What are the four classes of autopilot?

A

1) Single axis
2) Two axis
3) Three axis
4) Four axis

4
Q

What type of autopilot does a single axis provide?

A

Provides control in roll about the longitudinal axis.

5
Q

What type of autopilot does a two axis system provide?

A

Control about roll and pitch axes.

6
Q

What do three axis autopilots control ?

A

Roll pitch and yaw

7
Q

What do four axis autopilots provide?

A

Control about roll, pitch, yaw and altitude.

8
Q

What are the five general components that make up a typical autopilot system?

A

1) Autopilot mode Control
2) Signal processing
3) Servos
4) Flight Control Surfaces
5) Sensing systems

9
Q

What does the control function allow the pilot to do?

A
Allows the autopilot to engage/disengage the autopilot and instruct it to follow selected paths such as:
Heading 
Track
Altitude 
Rate of descent/climb
10
Q

Can the flight direction system still work even if the autopilot function is not engages?

A

Yes

11
Q

Draw a picture of the general autopilot layout?

A

Picture

12
Q

What does the signal processing function of the autopilot do?

A

Provides requires signals for control into its to Serbia while receiving signals from control feedback and performance feedback signal.

13
Q

What is the function of the servo in the autopilot system?

A

The servos are either electric or hydraulically assisted and they move the control surfaces.

14
Q

What do the flight control surfaces?

A

Change the flight path of the aircraft

15
Q

What do the sensing systems do?

A

They determine the change in flightpath or the aircraft to then feedback to the signal processing for further signal processing.

16
Q

What are the three gyro references that are relevant to autopilot systems?

A

1) Rate gyro that senses angular movement
2) An attitude gyro which provides pitch and roll attitude
3) A gyro stabilised Heading Reference System

17
Q

What are the two loops used to assist controlling the aircraft using the automated system?

A

1) Inner loop - detects unwanted changes such as wing drop by turbulence or gust
2) Outer loop - control loop that provides commands to change the aircraft state

18
Q

What is the response to flight path errors from wind gusts or turbulence called? What does high and low gain mean?

A

Gain

  • High gain means the autopilot will reacts aggressively to cancel errors quickly
  • Low gain tolerates a degree of error for a limited time in exchange for a smoother ride
19
Q

What are the 4 different systems that are a part of the Auto Flight Control System (AFCS)?

A

1) Flight Management Computers
2) Flight guidance and envelope systems
3) Auto thrust
4) Autopilot

20
Q

What are the two modes when using the AFCS?

A
  • Managed mode

- Selected mode

21
Q

What is the managed mode of the AFCS?

A

Receives commands from the FMS or the MC

22
Q

What is the selected mode of the AFCS?

A

Autopilot follows commands from the pilot.

23
Q

What is the FMS?

A

The navigation heart of the aircraft.

24
Q

What is the flight guidance computer?

A

Provides lateral and vertical guidance based on defined targets.
- Uses autopilot , auto thrust and flight directors

25
Q

What does the flight director display?

A

Guidance orders from the FG computer on the PFD.

26
Q

What are the two types of flight director displays?

A

1) Inverted V

2) FD bars

27
Q

What is the principle behind children of the magenta line?

A

Automation dependency and loss of situational awareness that stemmed from it.