Fly by Wire: Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology

Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology
FLY BY WIRE
FLY BY WIRE
A method of control used by some modern aircraft in

which control movement or pressures exerted by the pilot
are directed into a digital computer.
They are input into a program tailored to the flight
characteristics of the aircraft.
The computer output signal is sent to actuators at the
controls surfaces to move them the optimum amount for
the desired maneuver.
Aircraft flight control systems

consist of flight control surfaces,
the respective cockpit controls,
connecting linkages, and the
necessary operating mechanisms
to control an aircraft's direction in
flight. Aircraft engine controls are
also considered as flight controls as
they change speed.
"Fly-by-Wire" - imply an electrically-

signaled only control system.
However, the term is generally
used in the sense of computer-
configured controls, where a
computer system is interposed
between the operator and the final
control actuators or surfaces. This
modifies the manual inputs of the
pilot in accordance with control
parameters. These are carefully
developed and validated in order to
produce maximum operational
effect without compromising safety.
A method of control used by some

modern aircraft in which control
movement or pressures exerted by
the pilot are directed into a digital
computer where they are input into
a program tailored to the flight
characteristics of the aircraft. The
computer output signal is sent to
actuators at the controls surfaces to
move them the optimum amount for
the desired maneuver.
MAIN ADVANTAGES:
Saving in weight.
Requires less maintenance.
More responsive.
More economic.
Easier to provide in-built protection systems.
DISADVANTAGES:
All electrical/electronic and is supply critical.
Magnetic interference (lightning strikes)
TO OVERCOME:
Backup facilities – duplication or triplication of
hardware and software
Mechanical standby mode
DIGITAL ELECTRONICS
ELECTROMECHANICAL FLIGHT INSTRUMENT
What is electromechanical?
Example of electromechanical flight instrument?

Elctromechanical devices are those that combine

electrical and mechanical parts.
One example of electromechanical flight instrument is

Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI).


FLY BY WIRE SYSTEM
THE A320 SYSTEM
Consist of Primary and Secondary system.

Primary system include of aileron, spoiler, elevator , horizontal
stabiliser and rudder.
Secondary system include of leading edge slats and trailing edge
flaps for low speed flight handling, airbrakes/ load alleviation
spoiler for deceleration.
Electrical control is achieved by three types of computers:

i. ELAC (Elevator and Aileron Computers).
ii. SEC (Spoilers and Elevator Computers).
iii. FAC (Flight Augmentation Computers).
In addition the Flight Control Data Concentrator acquires data from

the ELAC’s and SEC’s and sends this to ECAM (Electronic Centralised
Aircraft Monitor – the flight deck screen displays and CFDS).
The Electrical Flight Control System (EFCS) includes the ELACs, SECs,
Flight Control Data Concentrator (FCDC) and vertical accelerometers.
The Electrical Flight Control System (EFCS) includes the ELACs, SECs,
Flight Control Data Concentrator (FCDC) and vertical accelerometers.
FLY BY WIRE SYSTEM
THE B777 SYSTEM
Unlike the A320 it uses conventional flight deck controls.

Signalling is via ARINC629 data buses and various computers and
control units.
It has 3 Primary Flight Computers;
i. Left
ii. Centre
iii. Right
LAWS OF RECONFIGURATION
BASIC AUTOPILOT OPERATION
The capabilities of a modern autopilot go way beyond simply

controlling the aircraft during cruise operations.
A sophisticated autopilot systems can land the airplane in weather

condition that are so bad that the human pilot could not legally land
the aircraft.
SMALL AIRCRAFT AUTOPILOTS
This simple autopilot uses pneumatic servos to actuate the

ailerons.
The source of power is a dry air vacuum pump which is engine

driven.
The sensor is a gyro turn coordinator which controls the pneumatic

power applied to the servos.
Diagram of a 3-axis autopilot that can be coupled to radio navigation receivers

A three axis autopilot with electric motor servos is illustrated in

figure above.
The sensor used with the this system include gyro sensors and an
altitude sensor.
The altitude sensor shows that this autopilot would have an altitude
hold capability.
Radio signals from the aircraft navigation radios can be used by the
autopilot to steer the aircraft along a desired VOR or localizer
course.
The pitch, roll and yaw servos receive electrical signals from the
computer that activate electric motors to move the control surfaces.
PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACE OPERATION
The Primary Flight Control System (PFCS) consists of;

i. Various automatic control
ii. Warning
iii. Indicating subsystems that are principally
concerned with manual aircraft control
These subsystems provide means for operating and monitoring the

many control surfaces that are necessary for the safe and efficient
flight of a large airplane.
These systems operate for both automatic and manual flight.


The positions of flight control surfaces is shown to the pilots by the
control surface position indicator.
Control and trim positions are provided for spoilers, rudder, stabilizer
and aileron.
The rudder control limiting system automatically restricts the rudder

authority and limits rudder hydraulic power capability during high
speed flight.
The system mechanically limits rudder deflection as a function of
airspeed when the flaps are retracted.

The spoiler mode control system automatically changes the
configuration of the roll and speedbrake inputs to the spoiler to
optimize roll, direct lift control and speedbrake control for low and
high speed flight.
The spoilers are used to control lift, speed and roll.
The stall warning system artificially vibrates the control columns to

warn of an impending stall.
The system mechanically limits rudder deflection as a function of
airspeed when the flaps are retracted.
PFCS mode of operation
a) Normal - operates when all the necessary data is available for the
primary flight computers (PFCs) and the actuator control
electronics (ACEs). All the control laws, protection functions, and
the autopilot flight director computers (AFDCs), operate.
b) Secondary - When the PFCS detects the loss of important air and
attitude data, the PFCS operation changes to secondary mode.
The PFCs and the ACEs operate but the PFC control laws and
protection functions downgrade. The autopilot cannot operate in
secondary mode.
c) Direct - the PFCs are not used. The ACEs set the position of the
control surfaces in direct response to analog pilot input.
BENEFITS OF THE FLY BY WIRE PHILOSOPHY
Since early 20th century, aircraft designers realized of the advantages

of replacing the heavy mechanical or hydraulic flight control system
with an electrical system.
Mechanical systems have limited ability to amplify the pilot’s strength.
Hydraulic systems can develop leaks.
Both systems require redundant backup.

BENEFITS OF THE FLY BY WIRE PHILOSOPHY

Both systems have limited ability to compensate for changing
aerodynamic conditions.
By replacing mechanical and hydraulic linkages with electrical

systems, saved a lot of weight and improve reliability.
Electronic requires less maintenance.
By putting circuitry between the pilot and the aircraft could provide
various safety improvements. Eg, the control system could prevent a
stall and can stop the pilot from overstressing the airframe.

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Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology

A method of control used by some modern aircraft in

Aircraft flight control systems

"Fly-by-Wire" - imply an electrically-

A method of control used by some

ELECTROMECHANICAL FLIGHT INSTRUMENT

 Example of electromechanical flight instrument?

ELECTROMECHANICAL FLIGHT INSTRUMENT

 Elctromechanical devices are those that combine

 One example of electromechanical flight instrument is

ELECTROMECHANICAL FLIGHT INSTRUMENT

ELECTROMECHANICAL FLIGHT INSTRUMENT

FLY BY WIRE SYSTEM

 THE A320 SYSTEM

Consist of Primary and Secondary system.

Electrical control is achieved by three types of computers:

In addition the Flight Control Data Concentrator acquires data from

FLY BY WIRE SYSTEM

 THE B777 SYSTEM

Unlike the A320 it uses conventional flight deck controls.

BASIC AUTOPILOT OPERATION

 The capabilities of a modern autopilot go way beyond simply

 A sophisticated autopilot systems can land the airplane in weather

SMALL AIRCRAFT AUTOPILOTS

 This simple autopilot uses pneumatic servos to actuate the

 The source of power is a dry air vacuum pump which is engine

 The sensor is a gyro turn coordinator which controls the pneumatic

Diagram of a 3-axis autopilot that can be coupled to radio navigation receivers

 A three axis autopilot with electric motor servos is illustrated in

PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACE OPERATION

 The Primary Flight Control System (PFCS) consists of;

PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACE OPERATION

 These subsystems provide means for operating and monitoring the

 These systems operate for both automatic and manual flight.

PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACE OPERATION

 The rudder control limiting system automatically restricts the rudder

PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACE OPERATION

 The stall warning system artificially vibrates the control columns to

BENEFITS OF THE FLY BY WIRE PHILOSOPHY

 Since early 20th century, aircraft designers realized of the advantages

 Mechanical systems have limited ability to amplify the pilot’s strength.

 Hydraulic systems can develop leaks.

 Both systems require redundant backup.

BENEFITS OF THE FLY BY WIRE PHILOSOPHY

 By replacing mechanical and hydraulic linkages with electrical

 Electronic requires less maintenance.

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Example of electromechanical flight instrument?

Elctromechanical devices are those that combine

One example of electromechanical flight instrument is

THE A320 SYSTEM

THE B777 SYSTEM

The capabilities of a modern autopilot go way beyond simply

A sophisticated autopilot systems can land the airplane in weather

This simple autopilot uses pneumatic servos to actuate the

The source of power is a dry air vacuum pump which is engine

The sensor is a gyro turn coordinator which controls the pneumatic

A three axis autopilot with electric motor servos is illustrated in

The Primary Flight Control System (PFCS) consists of;

These subsystems provide means for operating and monitoring the

These systems operate for both automatic and manual flight.

The rudder control limiting system automatically restricts the rudder

The stall warning system artificially vibrates the control columns to

Since early 20th century, aircraft designers realized of the advantages

Mechanical systems have limited ability to amplify the pilot’s strength.

Hydraulic systems can develop leaks.

Both systems require redundant backup.

By replacing mechanical and hydraulic linkages with electrical

Electronic requires less maintenance.