Slide 1

AVIONICS FUNDAMENTALS

NOTE: This course covers the theory of the general operation, not model specific Avionics equipment. This course does not
supersede Original Equipment Manufactures instructions or operation. It is for training purposes only!!

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to state the purpose and function for the following:
•Theory of Flight and Control Surfaces
•Electrical Safety
•Electrical Power Sources
•Altimetry and the Atmosphere
•Pitot Static Systems
•Servo Motors and Tach Rate Generators
•Inertial Reference
•Compass Systems
•Inertial Navigation/Reference Systems
•Automatic Direction Finder (ADF)
•Global Positioning System (GPS)
•Very High Frequency Omni-Range (VOR)
•Instrument Landing System (ILS)
• Air Traffic Control System (ATC)
•Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)
•Marker Beacon System (MB)
•Radio Altimeter Principle (RA)
•Air Data Systems (ADS)
•Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS)
•Flight Directors
•Auto Pilot
•Autopilot Yaw Damper- Rudder Channel
•Automatic Flight Guidance Systems
•Area Navigation (RNAV)
•Radio Altimeter
•Weather Radar
•Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
Slide 2

AIRCRAFT AVIONICS

AIRCRAFT AVIONICS
During the Wright brothers first flight they had no idea of speed, altitude, the direction the
aircraft was flying. They also did not know fuel consumption, engine temperature, prop RPM ex.
So basically they had no aircraft system, just flight controls.

The term avionics was not in general use until the early 1970s. Up to this point instruments, radios,
radar, fuel systems, engine controls and radio navigation had individual mechanical systems.

In the 1970s era, avionics was born, driven by military modernization rather than civil development.
Military aircraft had become flying computer platforms, and making large amounts of electronic equipment
work together had become the new norm.

Today, avionics as used in civil aircraft. The glass cockpit (TV type screens instead of individual
instruments ) Under the floor and nose of an aircraft is a major location for avionic equipment, including
control, monitoring, communication, navigation, weather, and anti-collision systems. The majority of
aircraft avionics are using 14 or 28 volt DC electrical systems.
There are several major vendors of flight avionics just to list a few, including Honeywell Bendix King,
Baker Electronics, Allied Signal, Rock Well Collins, Thales Group Garmin, and Ayidyne Corporation ex.
Slide 3

MODERN AIRCRAFT
AVIONICS

MODERN AIRCRAFT AVIONICS:

The pilot programs the Flight Management System (FMS) for destination and the computers take over after take-off.

The Avionics system in today’s Aircraft are based on the computer hardware and software interface. The Modern Avionics system
of today enhances flight safety and pilot comfort:
Improves pilot situational awareness,
Complete man-machine interface,
Better crew coordination,
Reduced flight crew workload,
It keeps the pilot and co-pilot well informed.

The Navigation system includes the navigation with:

Two or more Air Data Systems (ADS),
Two Radar Altimeter (RA),
One Weather Radar System (WX),
One Enhance Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS),
One Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS),

The Indicating-Recording system provides:

Visual and Aural Warnings,
Crew Alerting Systems (CAS)
Data Recording,
Data Collecting,
Data Calculating for Different Systems.
Flight Data recorder

When Auto Pilot is engaged, the primary flight controls computers controls the aircraft through the flight control surfaces that
follow Automatic Flight Control System commands.

The auto flight system includes the computer and servo systems that automatically control the flight of the aircraft. These systems
use data from different sources and feedback circuits to control the direction, heading, attitude, and speed of the aircraft.
The auto flight system has the subsystems that follow:
Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS),
Auto throttle.

The Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) controls the aircraft heading and altitude automatically and provides system
indications. The Navigation system management is provided by:
Two or more Primary Display Unit (PDU),
One or two Head Up Guidance System (HGS) (optional).
Autopilot (AP),
Yaw Damper (YD),
Mach trim,
Flight Director (FD).
The aircraft basically controls the Flight envelope to protect itself during flight.

Auto Throttle The auto throttle supplies automatic speed control, this is similar to your Cruise Control on your car. This system
sets the speed and fuel management with a minimum of flight crew inputs.

The Communications system performs the radio transmissions in an aircraft, between pilot ,co-pilot, other aircraft, and ground
stations. The antennas for the systems are installed on the fuselage and vertical stabilizer of most aircraft.
The communications system include the avionics equipment used for:
Voice and data communications, cockpit audio and monitoring.
The Electrical system architecture is built upon the main parts that follows:

The Electrical System provides:

DC electrical power,
AC electrical power,
Batteries that store electrical power
Distribution system (Buses) for electric power distribution to different systems in the aircraft,
Protect aircraft wiring from overheating during fault problems,
Breakers so power source failures can be reset,
Allow the flight crew to manually shut down systems,
Provide APU starting and electrical power capability,
Allow connection to an external Ground Power Unit (GPU).
Slide 4

THEORY OF FLIGHT

THEORY OF FLIGHT
To achieve flight certain 4 forces have to be put in balance.
•First the force of GRAVITY holds the aircraft on the ground.
•Secondly DRAG prevents forward motion. Engines are installed to produce THRUST
(forward motion) to overcome drag and create forward motion. (Air Speed)
•This is the force which is (Air Speed) overcomes drag. Once forward motion is
achieved the wing can begin to produce LIFT, the force that overcomes gravity.
Slide 5

THEORY OF FLIGHT

THEORY OF FLIGHT
For the Aircraft to fly there are certain forces to overcome:
•First the force is GRAVITY that holds the aircraft on the ground has to be overcome.
Lift will overcome gravity. The Wing creates lift by using forward motion.
• LIFT is produced by air flowing over the curved upper wing surface at a velocity higher
than airflow on the lower surface. Increased airflow causes an increase in velocity and
a subsequent drop in air pressure. (Vacuum effect) Airflow is achieved by maintaining
forward movement. (Air Speed)
•The larger the wing area the thicker the wing require less air flow at lower air speed to
maintain lift.
•The thin wing requires more airspeed for more airflow to maintain lift.
•In Flight you must have Flight Control, which is controlled by Flight Surfaces.
•The Pilot can control Flight Surfaces or the Avionics Systems.
Slide 6

FLIGHT CONTROL
SURFACES
RUDDER
CONTROLS
YAW

AILERON
S
CONTROL
ROLL

ELEVATOR
CONTROLS
PITCH

Flight Control Surfaces

Yaw: Is Controlled By The Rudder
Foot pedals are connected by means of push-pull tubes and or Cables and hydraulics to
the rudder of the tail section. The rudder is the vertical part of the tail that can move
from side to side. (left to right)
•Pushing on the left rudder pedal moves the rudder to the left, causing the nose of the
airplane to move to the left.
•Pushing on the right rudder pedal moves the rudder to the right, causing the nose of
the airplane to move to the right.
Slide 7

FLIGHT CONTROL
SURFACES

Theory of Flight and Control Surfaces

ROLL: Is Controlled By The Ailerons.
The control wheel (yoke) is connected by means of push-pull tubes and or Cables and
hydraulics to the wings' ailerons. By turning the left or right, the pilot can change the
positions of the ailerons.
•When the control wheel is turned to the right, the right aileron goes up and the left
aileron goes down, rolling the airplane to the right.
•Turned to the left, the right aileron goes down and the left aileron goes up, rolling the
airplane to the left.
Slide 8

FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES

Theory of Flight Control Surfaces

PITCH: Is Controlled By The Elevator. nose up, nose down
The control column (Yoke) is connected by means of push-pull tubes and or Cables and
hydraulics to the tail section's elevators. By moving the yoke, the pilot can change the
position of the elevators.
•Pushing the control column forward, the elevators move down, pitching the tail of the
airplane up and the nose down, rolling the airplane down.
•Pulling the control column back makes the elevators move up, pitching the tail of the
airplane down an the nose up, rolling the airplane upwards.
Slide 9

FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES

Flight Control Surfaces

These Flight Control Surfaces can provide control for the following:
• Turns
• Nose up, Nose Down for climbing or descending.
The first 2 bullets are usually controlled by Avionics systems after the pilot programs the
trip into the system prior to flight. (Auto Pilot)
• Height above the earth (Altitude) 0 is considered Sea Level.
• Compass Headings: (Direction the aircraft is to fly)
• They also provide control for Take-off and Landings.( Usually controlled by the
Pilots)
• The following slides we will go into Avionics Fundamentals.
Slide 10

ALTIMETRY AND THE

ATMOSPHERE

Altimetry and the Atmosphere

Altimetry is the height above sea level. (The measurement of altitude)
Atmosphere is the mixture of gases (Air) that surrounds the Earth.
•Atmospheric Pressure is the force per unit area that is applied perpendicularly to a
surface by the surrounding gas. It is determined by the Earths gravitational force in
combination with the total mass of a column of air above a location. (Barometric
pressure)
• The pressure is greater at sea level than at 45,000 feet.
Slide 11

ALTITUDE DEFINITIONS

ALTITUDE DEFINITIONS
•Indicated altitude is read directly from the altimeter when set to current barometric
pressure.
•Earths Pressure altitude is read from the altimeter when set to the standard
barometric pressure of 29.92 in. Hg.
•True altitude is the exact height above mean Sea level.
•Absolute altitude is the l height above the Terrain surface.
Slide 12

BASIC AVIONICS

AVIONICS:
•Avionics is defined as "aviation electronics".
• It consist of electronic systems for use on aircraft, comprising communication,
navigation with display and management of multiple systems.
• It also includes multiple variants of systems that are used on aircraft to meet their
individual roles, these can be simple avionics or more complex computer systems in
ultra modern aircraft.
•Today's aircraft being built using more complicated avionics systems than the aircraft
built in the previous 50 years.
•Usually there are 2 sets of instruments 1 set each side of the aircraft, Right hand side
for Co-Pilot, Left Hand side for Pilot.
•The FAA requires that avionics systems be redundant in case of failure of one system,
there is a back up system.
•The following information will help you have better basic understanding of the how, and
why of Avionics Instruments.
Slide 13

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Remember the life you save could be yours!!!
Before working on any Avionics systems/Wiring ask your self the following:
• Is Aircraft power On or Off?
• Any Batteries connected?
• Are switches and breakers On or Off?
• Are there breakers locked out tagged out for other maintenance?
• Can I safely apply power to the Aircraft?
• Do I have the proper Approved Aircraft Data for the job I am doing?
• I am using correct Electro Static Discharge (ESD) procedures?
Slide 14

ELECTRICAL POWER
SOURCES

ELECTRICAL POWER SOURCES FOR THE AVIONICS SYSTEMS

Aircraft Electrical Power can come from several sources.
This is the list of Power sources that can be used to put Power on the Aircraft Avionics
Systems.
•Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
•Aircraft Batteries (Short duration only)
•Ground Power Unit (GPU)
•Turbine Engines Generators or Alternators
Slide 15

PITOT STATIC SYSTEMS

PITOT STATIC SYSTEMS

Aircraft atmosphere pressure changes as it climbs, descends, accelerates or
decelerates.
•The pitot-static system is sensitive to airspeed, altitude, and rates of altitude change
thus provides the pressure information displayed on instrumentation.
•Pitot-static system is a system of Atmospheric Pressure -sensitive instruments that is
most often used in aviation to determine:
• an aircraft's airspeed , Mach number,
• Vertical Speed Indicator
•altitude.
•A pitot-static system generally consists of a 2 pitot tubes, one on each side of the
aircraft , and 2 static ports one on each side of the aircraft and the instruments.
•These type systems must be Maintained in accordance with applicable regulations 91-411 / 91-413 (per FAR 43 Appendix F, for
US registered A/C)
•Inspected per FAR 91.409, for US registered A/C), and (JAR 145,and JAR 1.15.4.3 for European A/C)
(There are FAA regulations governing scratches and damage to the Static plate and
pitot Tubes.)
Slide 16

PITOT PRESSURE

PITOT PRESSURE
Pitot-static system is a system of Atmospheric Pressure -sensitive instruments that is
most often used in aviation to determine:
PITOT PRESSURE DEFINITION
PITOT TUBE DEFINITION
•The pitot pressure is obtained from the PITOT TUBE.
• The pitot pressure is a measure of ram air pressure (the dynamic air pressure
created by air speed or the air ramming into the tube), which, under ideal conditions, is
equal to stagnation pressure.
• The pitot tube is most often located on the wing or front section of an aircraft, facing
forward, where its opening is exposed to the movement of air.
•By placing the pitot tube in these locations, the ram air pressure is more accurately
measured since it will be less distorted by the aircraft's structure. When airspeed
increases, the ram air pressure is increased, which can be translated by airspeed
indicator.

• Airspeed, Mach number,

•Altitude.
•A pitot-static system generally consists of a pitot tube, a static port, and the
instruments.
Slide 17

BASIC AIRSPEED
INSTRUMENT

BASIC AIRSPEED INSTRUMENT

•The airspeed indicator uses the ram pressure from the pitot tube. The airspeed
indicator is connected to both the ram and static pressure sources.
•The greater the difference between the ram pressure and the static pressure, the
higher the airspeed Indicated
Slide 18

STATIC PRESSURE

STATIC PRESSURE
Most aircraft has more than one static port, there is usually one located on each side of
the fuselage. This positioning, pressure can be taken, which allows for more accurate
readings in specific flights.
The holes shown in this static port are for redundancy one hole is for Pilot and one for
Co-Pilot.
•The style of static ports and probes vary for each model aircraft.
•Consult your aircraft model’s maintenance manual for your specific type.
•The static pressure is obtained through a static port.
•The static port is most often a flush-mounted hole on the fuselage of an aircraft, and is
located where air flow in a relatively undisturbed.
•No paint stripes, stickers or damage is usually allowed in the area of the static plates,
consult your aircraft maintenance manual for details.
Slide 19

BASIC ALTIMETER
INSTRUMENT

ALTIMETER INSTRUMENT
The basic altimeter, also known as the barometric altimeter, is used to determine
changes in air pressure that occur as the aircraft's altitude changes.
•It obtains its pressure from the Static Port.
•Pressure altimeters must be calibrated prior to flight to register the pressure as an
altitude above sea level.
•The instrument case of the altimeter is airtight
Slide 20

VERTICAL SPEED INDICATOR

VERTICAL SPEED INDICATOR

The vertical speed indicator (VSI)), is the pitot-static instrument used to determine
whether or not an aircraft is flying in level flight.
•The vertical airspeed specifically shows the rate of climb or the rate of descent, which
is measured in feet per minute or meters per second.
•This is achieved by measuring how fast the ambient pressure changes and translating
this as a rate of change in feet per minute.
This section covered the Pitot Static System with Basic Avionics Instruments.
•The Following section will cover more advance Aircraft Avionics System and
Instruments, some of which will still rely on the Pitot System for Air Data.
Slide 21

ATTITUDE INDICATOR

ATTITUDE INDICATOR
The Attitude Indicator (also known as an artificial horizon) shows the aircraft's
attitude relative to the horizon.
• From this the pilot can tell whether the wings are level and if the aircraft nose is
pointing above or below the horizon.
• This is a primary instrument for instrument flight and is also useful in conditions of poor
visibility.
• Pilots are trained to use other instruments in combination should this instrument or its
power fail.
Slide 22

AIRCRAFT AVIONICS
SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENTS

AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENTS

There are to many different types of Avionics System’s to cover each system in detail.
•The following section will be on the System’s and Instruments commonly used in
today’s Advance Digital Avionics Systems.
•In the previous section the Instruments describe are analog they use springs, bellows,
baffles, vacuum and other mechanical means to show indication. (Direct Reading,
analog)

•The Digital operation will depend on computers to give them Data.

•This data is transmitted on Data busses.
Slide 23

AIRCRAFT AVIONICS
SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENTS

AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENTS

An Integrated Avionics System is automatic flight guidance, flight management, and
electronic display system.
•These three functions are controlled and monitored with a system of cockpit controls,
displays, sensors, and computers.
•This type system is centered on the Integrated Avionics Computer’s (IAC), which
performs the display and flight guidance functions normally associated with a symbol
generator, flight director, and autopilot/yaw damper.
•These functions are all located within the IAC on separate circuit card assemblies. The
IAC reduces the number of Line Replaceable Units (LRU’s) by housing a number of
independent functions in one unit.
•Line Replaceable Units (LRU’s) are the separate parts of the Avionics systems, the
boxes.
Slide 24

AIRCRAFT AVIONICS
SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENTS

AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENTS

An Integrated Avionics System is automatic flight guidance, flight management, and
electronic display system.
•During normal operation the system displays heading, course, radio bearing, pitch and
roll attitude, radio altitude, course deviation, glide-slope deviation, to-from, and DME
indications.
• Lighted annunciations denote selected flight director modes.
• Pitch and roll flight director steering commands developed by the IAC, in conjunction
with the Flight Guidance Controller, are displayed on the Primary Flight Display (PFD).
•When the autopilot is engaged and coupled to either the pilot's or copilot's flight
director, the aircraft is controlled by the same commands that are displayed on the PFD.
Slide 25

AIRCRAFT AVIONICS
SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENTS

AIRCRAFT AVIONICS SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENTS

An Integrated Avionics System is automatic flight guidance, flight management, and
electronic display system.
•When the autopilot is engaged and no flight director modes are active, the aircraft is
controlled by the pilot in pitch and roll by inserting commands through Touch Control
Steering (TCS), and/or the pitch wheel on the Flight Guidance Controller (FGC).
•The IAC uses software tests in combination with Built-In-Test (BIT) hardware to detect
failures and determine In/Out (I/O) signal validity.
•Through these tests the IAC determines if the system is working correctly to provide
proper Flight Director (FD), Auto-Pilot (AP), and Yaw Damper (YD) mode control and
mode annunciation.
The following sections will be based mainly on Digital Avionics controlled by computers.
Slide 26

DATA BUSES

Most of the data transfer (COMMUNICATION) between computers Avionics System’s is

accomplished by using digital data buses. The data buses below are a few types used
in the Integrated Avionics System:
•Avionics Standard Communications Bus (ASCB) The ASCB is the primary
communications network for the modern avionics system. Reliable data transfer is
ensured by designed in redundancy, protection and isolation.
•The ASCB is a fail-operational data bus system that consists of four data buses if one
system fails the other system takes over.
•ARINC 429 is an electrical and data format standard for a 2-wire serial bus with one
sender and many listeners. This standard defines one of the most commonly used data
buses on modern commercial aircraft. ARINC 429, is like the standard, is based on the
data format.
•RS-429 is an international standard file format for aircraft navigation data
•RS-404 defines the Air Transport Radio (ATR) and Modular Component Unit (MCU)
form factors for Line Replaceable Electronics Units (LRU’s) in aircraft. These standards
date back to the 1930s.
Slide 27

COMPASSES

COMPASSES
The early aviators had instruments that figure out how high and how fast they were
traveling, the early aviators next took a lesson from the early sailors and added a
compass to their array of Flight Instruments.
•The compass shows the aircraft's heading relative to magnetic north. While reliable in
steady level flight compass can give confusing indications during banking, climbing,
descending, or accelerating due to the iincline of the earth's magnetic field.

•The most basic compass is oiled filled and gives the flight crew directional information.
•The heading indicator (also known as the directional gyro, or DG; sometimes also
called the gyrocompass, though usually not in aviation applications) displays the
aircraft's heading with respect to geographical north.
•The more advance compass Inertial Navigation System (INS) Utilizes the principles of
gyroscopic precession and accelerometer inputs to calculate the position of the aircraft
from a known starting point.
•These systems can provide position data to the Flight Management System.
•This can be the back up data for the GPS system as we will describe.
Slide 28

INERTIAL NAVIGATION
SYSTEM

INERTIAL REFERENCE
•The Inertial Navigation System (INS) includes at least a computer and a platform
containing accelerometers, gyroscopes (motion-sensing devices.)
• The INS is initially provided with its position and velocity from another source ( GPS
satellite receiver), and then computes its own updated position and velocity by
integrating information received from the motion sensors to determine location and
speed.
•The advantage of an INS is that it requires no external references in order to determine
its position, orientation, or speed once it has been initialized.
•This system ties into the Auto Pilot system. (Removes the work load from the flight
crew) This system in conjunction with other avionics system will control, Roll, Yaw and
Pitch.
Slide 29

AUTOMATIC DIRECTION
FINDER (ADF)

AUTOMATIC DIRECTION FINDER (ADF)

•An Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) is an aircraft radio-navigation instrument which
displays the relative bearing from the aircraft to a suitable radio station.( Non-
Directional Beacons (NDB)
•ADF receivers are normally tuned to aviation Non-directional Beacons (NDB), low-
power AM radio transmitters operating in the low frequency band between 190 to 535
kHz.
• Most ADF receivers can also receive AM broadcast stations but because their location
and identity is not controlled like aviation NDB.
Slide 30

AUTOMATIC DIRECTION
FINDING (ADF)

AUTOMATIC DIRECTION FINDING (ADF)

•The Non-Directional Beacons (NDB) is basically a simple transmitter (Radio
Station) radiating an omni directional signal which is modulated at intervals with
the identification code.
•The basic signal is known as a carrier and is radiated at the frequency specified
for the particular aid.
•The system calculates the aircraft angle from the Non-Directional Beacons
(NDB) to determine bearing.
•NDBs are most commonly used as markers for an instrument landing system
(ILS) approach and standard approaches.
•These systems are being replaced with the more advance Distance Measuring
Equipment. (DME)
•To maintain heading you would keep the needle on zero until that station is
reached.
Slide 31

GLOBAL POSITIONING
SYSTEM (GPS)

•Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is the standard generic term for Global
Positioning systems that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global
coverage.

•The GPS is a U.S. satellite based radio navigational , positioning, and time transfer
system operated by the DoD.
•GNSS allows small receivers to determine their location (Longitude, Latitude, and
Altitude to within a few feet using time signals transmitted along a line of sight by radio
from satellites.
•Do you see the connection building on all these different systems working together to
create a single Aircraft Avionics System.
•GPS system can replace ADF and/or DME For further details see- 14 CFR 91.205 (e)
•FAA Advisory Circular AC 90-94 “Guidelines for using GPS for IFR.
Slide 32

VERY HIGH FREQUENCY

OMNI-RANGE (VOR)

•VERY HIGH FREQUENCY OMNI-RANGE (VOR)

VOR, short for VHF Omni-directional Radio Range, is a type of radio navigation system
for aircraft.
•A VOR ground station broadcasts a VHF radio composite signal including the station's
identifier in Morse code (and sometimes a voice identifier), and data that allows the
airborne receiving equipment to derive a magnetic heading from the station to the
aircraft (direction from the VOR station in relation to the Earths magnetic north.)
•VOR typical range is below 18,000 feet and approx 40 nautical miles from the station.
•The system transmits on VHF AT 108.00 to 117.95 MHZ
Slide 33

INSTRUMENT LANDING
SYSTEM (ILS)

INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM (ILS)

•The INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM (ILS) is a ground-based instrument approach
system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching/landing.
•This system uses a combination of radio signals and high-intensity lighting arrays to
enable a safe landing during instrument meteorological conditions, (IMC) such as low
ceiling or reduced visibility due to fog, rain, or blowing snow
•The aircraft systems locks on to the Glide slope and follows it down.
•The Pilot releases the auto pilot at a given height from the runway and manually lands
the aircraft. There are aircraft with auto-land systems.
Slide 34

DISTANCE MEASURING
EQUIPMENT (DME)

DISTANCE MEASURING EQUIPMENT (DME)

Aircraft use DME to determine their distance from a land-based transponder (DME
Antenna) by sending and receiving pulse pairs - two pulses of fixed duration and
separation.
•The ground stations are typically collocated with VORs. A typical DME ground
transponder system for enroute or terminal navigation will have a 1 kW peak pulse
output on the assigned UHF channel.
•A low-power DME can also be collocated with an ILS Localizer where it provides an
accurate distance function, similar to that otherwise provided by ILS Marker Beacons.

•The DME system operates on UHF at 962 to 1213 MHZ.

•It is required when flying above 24,000 feet see 14 CFR 91.205 for further details about
requirement.
Slide 35

RADIO ALTIMETER PRINCIPLE

(RA)

Airspeed indicator
Pressure Altitude
Radio Altitude
Scrolling altitude tape

RADIO ALTIMETER PRINCIPLE (RA)

The RAD ALT provides an indication of absolute height above terrain that is displayed
on the pilots and co-pilots Primary Flight Display (PFD).
•For single systems (standard) the reversionary controller is inoperative and the data is
processed by Data Acquisition Unit (DAU)
•For dual systems (optional) the reversionary controller is operative and the data is
processed by the on-side DAU.
Slide 36

AIR DATA SYSTEMS

AIR DATA SYSTEMS

AIR DATA SYSTEM and AIR DATA COMPUTERS (ADCs)
The air data system uses external air pressures to the ADC to calculate aircraft altitude
and airspeed. This system uses the Pitot Static system to obtain that required Data.
The micro air data computers use this pitot data for Altitude, Airspeed to relay this digital
data to other various Avionics systems.
Slide 37

GROUND PROXIMITY
WARNING SYSTEM (GPWS)
TERRAIN”
“PULL UP”

GROUND PROXIMITY WARNING SYSTEM (GPWS)

The purpose of GPWS is to prevent accidents caused by severe wind-shear and

Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).
The system operates by accepting a variety of aircraft parameters as inputs,
determining that a conflict exists and supplying the flight crew with audio warnings,
messages on the PFD and graphic display on the Main Flight Display (MFD).
GPWS contains a worldwide terrain database. The accuracy of this database varies
with the location and also with proximity to airports. The system uses this information
and inputs from the Flight Management System (FMS) and radio altimeter to supply
enhanced terrain awareness information to the pilots.
Slide 38

FLIGHT DIRECTORS
(FD)

FLIGHT DIRECTORS
The Flight Director (FD) looks at true airspeed, vertical speed, and glide-slope
deviation to determine when to capture the glide-slope beam.
When captured, the FD resets any other selected vertical mode and tracks the glide-
slope beam.
 The FD develops an error signal by comparing actual glide-slope to the incoming
signal.
The error signal is used to drive the command bars and by the autopilot to fly the
aircraft to the glide-slope beam.
Attitude indicator;
•a fixed aircraft symbol;
•pitch and bank command bars;
•glide slope indicator;
•localizer deviation indicator;
•slip indicator;
•warning flag for gyro, computer and glide slope
Slide 39

AUTOPILOTS

AUTOPILOT
Auto-Pilot Flight control system is used to reduce pilot workload such as attitude
control systems to maintain pitch, roll or heading; altitude hold control system to
maintain a desired altitude.
•Auto-throttle speed control system to maintain a constant speed or Mach, also
improves fuel burn.

•An auto-throttle (Automatic Throttle) allows a pilot to control the power setting of an
aircraft’s engines by specifying a desired flight characteristic, rather than manually
controlling fuel flow.
•These systems can conserve fuel and extend engine life by metering the precise
amount of fuel required to attain a specific targeted air speed, or the assigned power for
different phases of flight. Auto Throttle (A/T) and AFDS (Auto Flight Director System)
work together to fulfill the whole flight plan and greatly reduce pilots' work load.
Slide 40

AUTOPILOT YAW DAMPER

AUTOPILOT YAW DAMPER

•An Auto-Yaw Damper is a device used on many aircraft (usually jets and turboprops)
to reduce the rolling and yawing oscillations due to *Dutch roll mode.
•It involves yaw rate sensors and a processor that provides a signal to an actuator
connected to the rudder.
•The use of the yaw damper helps to provide a better ride for passengers.
•*Dutch roll is a type of aircraft motion, consisting of an out-of-phase combination of
"tail-wagging" and rocking from side to side.
Slide 41

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT
GUIDANCE SYSTEMS

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT GUIDANCE SYSTEMS

This puts all the avionics systems together for the purpose of safe flight.
The Auto Flight Guidance systems uses a multiple avionics systems to auto control
flight and direction of the aircraft, the following is a list of the Items required for Auto
Flight:
Pitch and roll attitude
Indicated airspeed and Mach
Selected target airspeed
Barometric altitude
Selected alert altitude
Decision height and minimum descent altitude
Flight director mode annunciations
Flight director commands
Comparison monitor warnings
Heading and heading source
Course/Desired track orientation
Bearing pointers
Navigation source
Vertical speed
TCAS display
Weather radar
Slide 42

AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV)

AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV)

Area Navigation (RNAV) is a method of navigation that allows an aircraft to choose any
course within a network of navigation signal beacons.
Slide 43

RADAR ALTIMETER

RADAR ALTIMETER
•A RADAR ALTIMETER (RA) measures altitude above the terrain beneath the aircraft.
The system use an antenna to transmit a signal down and times it back to the aircraft,
then the system uses that data to calculate the distance.
•This type of instrument provides the distance between the plane and the ground
directly below the aircraft, as opposed to a barometric altimeter which provides the
distance above a pre-determined datum, usually sea level.
Slide 44

WEATHER RADAR

WEATHER RADAR
WEATHER RADAR is a type of radar used to locate , precipitation calculate its motion,
estimate its type (rain, snow, hail etc.) and forecast its future position and intensity.
•The radar shows snow rain, hail in different colors based on intensity. Red is high
intensity, Green is severe, Blue is a little less, yellow is lesser. These are just examples
of function.
•Strong returns (red or magenta) may indicate not only heavy rain but also
thunderstorms, hail, strong winds.
When describing weather radar returns, pilots, dispatchers, and air traffic controllers will
typically refer to three return levels:
•level 1 corresponds to a green radar return, indicating usually light precipitation and
little to no turbulence, leading to a possibility of reduced visibility.
•level 2 corresponds to a yellow radar return, indicating moderate precipitation, leading
to the possibility of very low visibility, moderate turbulence and an uncomfortable ride for
aircraft passengers.
•level 3 corresponds to a red radar return, indicating heavy precipitation, leading to the
possibility of thunderstorms and severe turbulence and serious structural damage to the
aircraft.

•Aircraft will try to avoid level 2 returns when possible, and will always avoid level 3
unless they are specially-designed research aircraft.
•
Slide 45

WEATHER RADAR

WEATHER RADAR

•One of the least understood to imagine about a airborne weather radar is the antenna
tilt. The display on the panel has a control that allows the pilot to tilt the antenna up or
down. This can be the most critical adjustment of all. The radar antenna platform up in
the nose is stabilized in the roll mode.
•The antenna platform is tied into the horizontal gyro circuit so that the platform remains
level in reference to the Earth's horizon as the aircraft turns. A and D shown in the
picture is Proper antenna tilt, when pinging a thunderstorm, is what makes the
difference between good information, and bad information being dispalyed.
Slide 46

TRAFFIC COLLISION
AVOIDANCE SYSTEM

TRAFFIC COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM

•The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (or TCAS) is an aircraft collision
avoidance system for reducing the incidence of mid-air collisions between aircraft.
• It monitors the airspace around an aircraft for other aircraft equipped with a
corresponding active transponder, independent of Air Traffic Control, and warns pilots of
the presence of other transponder-equipped aircraft which may present a threat of mid-
air collision (MAC).
•The system pings other aircraft for position by its TCAS. system.
•To avoid an mid-air collision One aircraft will be told by the system to dive, dive the
other aircraft will be given the opposite information pull-up, pull-up ex.