Flight Management Systems & Automation

Runway Overrun Protection (ROP) Function

• ROP warns the crew in case of runway too short for landing.
• ROP does not automatically brake if the runway is too short for landing.
• ROP deploys the reverse automatically if the runway is too short for landing.

Take-Off Securing (TOS) Function

• TOS warns the crew if the take-off is initiated on a taxiway.
• TOS does not display other traffic located on the take-off runway.
• TOS does not warn the crew when the aircraft is about to enter a runway during the taxi phase.

Brake to Vacate (BTV) Function

• BTV improves Runway Occupation Time (ROT).
• BTV automatically brakes until an exit is selected by the pilot.

Autopilot Disengagement

• Autopilot is automatically disengaged in the event of a lot of fog.
• Autopilot is automatically disengaged in the event of computer failures.
• Autopilot is automatically disengaged in the event of loss of surfaces.
• Autopilot is automatically disengaged in the event of sensor failures.

Autothrust Function

• Autothrust holds a thrust or power.
• Autothrust holds a pitch angle.
• Autothrust holds a speed or a mach.
• Autothrust does not hold a flight path angle.
• N1 limit computing for engine over limit protection.
• It maintains selected or managed Speed/Mach
• Performs thrust reduction during flare in autoland mode
• It ensures protection against excessive angle of attack (alpha floor function)
• Unable to operate independantly of the AP/FD.
• The A/THR can operate independently or with the AP/FD.

Autothrust Protection

• Autothrust provides AoA protection.
• Autothrust provides bank angle protection.
• Autothrust does not provide pitch protection.
• The aircraft is not protected against stall by autothrust.

Autopilot Engagement

• To engage the autopilot, the pilot uses the push button AP1 or AP2 on the FCU (Flight Control Unit).

Lateral Manual Control Law

• For lateral manual control law, the objective is roll rate.

Autopilot Modes

• Open Descent AP mode forces the thrust to idle and controls the aircraft speed by adapting the vertical slope.

Primary Flight Display (PFD)

• Flight Director bars in the PFD are Green.
• Angle of attack, Roll rate, Sideslip and Yaw rate are flight parameters not displayed on the Primary Flight Display.

Side Sticks in Airbus "Fly-by-Wire" Fleet

• Conception is easier and suppressing of mechanized mechanisms.
• The pilot feels the aircraft better during his mechanical feedback.
• Side sticks simplify safety analysis.
• The captain can see the first officer inputs and may correct through his side stick.

EHA and EBHA Actuator Advantages

• EHA and EBHA actuators are less of a problem since they don't dissipate any heat.
• Weight gains at aircraft level through hydraulic circuit suppression.
• EHA and EBHA actuators are lighter, so they are easier to manipulate during maintenance tasks.
• All hydraulic circuits can be fully removed

Hydraulic Servocontrol Stand-by Mode

• In hydraulic servocontrol with electric command, the solenoid valve is energized, and a current control of the servovalve leads to move the surface.
• The mode selector valve connects both chambers of the spool of the servocontrol.
• The fluid reserve is empty, in order to have the right damping of the servocontrol.

The AOC function:

• AOC function optimizes cockpit workflow by up-linking FMS parameters from the airline.
• The AOC function is NOT to send position reports to the airline.
• AOC provides the means to optimize cockpit workflow by unlinking from the airline a number of FMS parameters

Required Navigation Performance (RNP)

• An RNP-capable aircraft is able to precisely navigate along a pre-defined flight path using GPS sensors.

Future Air Navigation System (FANS)

• The objective of FANS is to reduce voice congestion.

'OOOI'

• OOOI stands for 'Out Off On In' reports.
• OOOI is used to pay the pilots

The Cost Index

• The cost index is the ratio between the time cost and the fuel cost.

Flight Management Function

• The flight management function resides in a dedicated avionics equipment on the aircraft.

Cruise Flight Levels

• Cruise Flight Levels are set by the crew from the Airline Flight Planning and FMS information after ATC clearance.

Optimum Speeds

• OPTIMUM SPEEDS are automatically computed by the FMS.
• Optimum Speeds criteria are there to provide minimum operating cost on the trip.

Top of Descent Point

• The Top Of Descent point position is computed by the FMS according to the descent constraints and the aircraft's descent capability.

Flight with FBW Aircraft

• Aircraft are autotrimmed to maintain attitude when stick is released.
• When alternate law engaging lowering the landing gear switches the FCS to direct law.

FMS in Flight

• In the FMS, the performance model is used to compute the vertical trajectory in climb and descent phases.
• In the FMS, the performance model is used to display the optimum altitude in the cockpit.
• FMS takes the cost index by the airline and the current A/C altitude and weight into the account.

Flight Control Unit (FCU)/Master Control Panel

• The Flight Control Unit or Master Control Panel is used to send orders to the Autopilot.

APP Push Button

• Pushing the APP push button of the FCU tells to capture the ILS (Instrument Landing System).

Functions of Autopilot

• Functions include: stabilization of the aircraft around the CG, acquisition/tracking of a flight path, automatic landing/Go Around, and decrabe at landing.

Automatic Landing System

• An automatic landing system is fail-passive, if, in the event of a failure, there is no significant out-of-trim condition or deviation of flight path or attitude, but the landing is not completed automatically.

Correct Statement

• The autopilot is lost, and control surface motion is related to the side stick motion in Direct Law.

About Pilot Induced Oscillations (PIO)

• PIOs are caused by the pilot's efforts to control the aircraft and when there is a 180° phase shift between the pilot's input and aircraft attitude.

Airport Navigation System

• It does not include oral indications to help the crew navigate during the taxi phase.
• There is no prediction of the fuel used during the taxi phase.
• The system doesn't provide an interactive airport map.

Future of Airport Navigation

• All functions will be provided on EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) because it easier and development costs lower.
• There is no need to compute ground since ATC clearances are sufficient to navigate on ground.

Concerning the Autothrust function

• N1 limit which compute for engine over limit protection..
• To maintain selected or managed Speed/Mach
• To ensure protection against excessive angle-of-attack (alpha floor function)
• The A/THR can operate independently or with the AP/FD.

Landing Certification

• For the Autoland function certification, perform both flight tests and desktop simulations.

RNP AR Procedures

• RNP AR procedure can be performed in all kinds of areas (including challenging ones (mountainous) with no visibility down to decision altitude).

FANS Function

• The future air navigation system contributes to voice congestion reduction and provides enhanced surveillance capability over the ocean through ADS-C.
• It is not used to report aircraft positions to the airline operation center.

FMS Datalink Function

• The FMS Datalink function is not used to provide a passenger list to the cabin crew.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract Service (ADS-C)

• ADS-C provides periodic position reports to the ATC.

RNP Procedure Benefits

• The main benefit expected from the RNP procedures is to increase airport access, reduce fuel consumption, and improve safety.

FANS B specifics

• FANS B works over the ocean.

Datalink Definition

• "Datalink" refers to bi-directional data exchanges between the aircraft and ground stations

Navigation Database

• The Navigation database is updated on a monthly basis.

Aircraft Failures

• Aircraft failures taken into account by the FMS for predictions include only engine(s) failure(s).

Offset Lateral Revision

• The offset lateral revision can be used to avoid weather phenomena.

Too Steep Segment

• "Too Steep Segment" indicates that it can't be flown even with full speed brakes defection.

Airbus Take Offs

• On Airbus Aircraft, the Take Off speeds V1, Vr, V2 are computed by the Airline according to the Aircraft Flight Manual and the Runway characteristics.

Flight Path Computation

• The vertical flight path is computed by the FMS according to the ATC constraints and the aircraft performance characteristics.

AIRAC Cycles

• AIRAC cycles are defined by intervals of 28 days.

Fastest/Slowest Loops

• The fastest loop is the actuator loop.
• The slowest loop is the navigation loop.

Vertical Autopilot

• The vertical autopilot mode used during a final approach is Glide mode (GS).

This quiz covers aspects of flight management systems (FMS), flight envelope protection in fly-by-wire aircraft and automation in aviation. It tests knowledge of cost index, flight levels, optimum speeds, and performance models.