Questions tagged [aircraft-systems]
The essential systems found on most aircraft, including power plants, fuel systems, electrical systems, and flight instruments.
464
questions
5
votes
0
answers
162
views
Why For A320, On ground, reopening of the pack valve is delayed for 30-60 seconds
I've read in FCOM that, during engine start reopening of the pack flow valve is delayed for 30-60 s to allow second engine start? But isn't it that the pack flow remains closed only for the side the ...
- 689
0
votes
1
answer
64
views
Manifold Pressure System
Hi to all. I read about how MAP works and have a question. Do constant speed planes like the c182 or pa44 have an additional Venturi (apart from the one in the carburetor) in the induction system past ...
- 151
0
votes
1
answer
108
views
What is output by the Seminole's twin alternator system?
The Seminole's alternator system is a 14V 70 amp system. I understand that if one alternator fails, the other one will be able to produce 14V and withstand 70 amps.
When both alternators are operative,...
- 151
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
How to identify DF11 messages in AST48 field data
I have the radar output (Asterix) data.
How to identify the interrogator code sent by aircraft transponder in all call reply
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
173
views
What does the "EMERG BATT switch" and the associated phrase "(if starting battery installed)" mean?
What does the "EMERG BATT switch" and the associated phrase "(if starting battery installed)" mean? I could not understand what the "EMERG BATT switch" and its associated ...
- 2,049
7
votes
1
answer
183
views
Why is my WAAS equipped aircraft telling me to descend sooner than the FAF (KDVT 25L LPV)
I ran into a weird issue today with our G1000 WAAS-equipped aircraft. The aircraft wanted me to begin decent .9nm before the FAF on the KDVT 25L LPV approach. The LPV is considered a non-precision ...
2
votes
2
answers
95
views
Longitudinal/Lateral CG envelope for hoist operations
Does a Rotorcraft hoisting CG chart show what the CG will be as the load is hoisted from top to bottom or vice versa?
- 491
28
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How do water bombers pick up water?
I saw a couple of CL-415s near my lake house a few days ago, and it got me wondering, how do they pick up water? What method do they use to get water into the water tanks? How long does it take to ...
- 746
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
777-300ER venting something from left engine outboard side - what is it?
Crossposting from Metabunk with permission from the thread opener marko.posavec.
Their photo shows British Airways Boeing 777-300ER G-STBF in flight with something producing a contrail or the like ...
- 4,777
2
votes
1
answer
161
views
How was the Douglas DC-6 pressurized?
It's my understanding that modern airliners are pressurized using bleed air from the compressor stage. But how did piston-engined aircraft like the DC-6 get pressurized? I couldn't find any answers ...
- 746
6
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is the DC-6 Supercharged? And what is a Turbosupercharger?
What it says on the tin. Is the DC-6 supercharged? I thought all planes that fly above around 10,000-15,000 feet need forced induction, but wikipedia doesn't list the DC-6s engines as supercharged or ...
- 61
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What are Baro-Aiding and Baro-VNAV systems?
I've tried searching online as to what the architecture of these systems look like, and I can't seem to find any hardware information. And if it's not a hardware but instead a software, which software ...
- 297
1
vote
1
answer
340
views
On a Diamond DA-42, under what circumstances will the propeller auto feather?
I will be doing a multi-engine course in a 2006 Diamond DA-42 soon and I'm curious if this is true for the aircraft and under what circumstances the propeller would auto feather. For example, if the ...
- 13
1
vote
2
answers
181
views
How is RNP's onboard performance monitoring and alerting system represented in the cockpit?
I'm trying to understand what is exactly onboard performance monitoring and alerting system related to RNP. Does it display some extent of deviation or just beeps as alarm?
And if that system exists ...
- 13
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Why is there water coming from underneath the plane?
If you look at 2:10 in this video, you will notice water or something coming from the belly of the challenger 600. Why is this?
- 6,322
2
votes
1
answer
303
views
How many master cylinders are there in a typical dual brakes Cessna 172?
After searching in the AFMs of the several C172 my flight school operates, all of them describe the system very basically with no diagrams, as exemplified in the following picture:
Is there one ...
- 123
0
votes
0
answers
45
views
How does the air taken from the Gearbox Air Inlet provide the Gearbox cooling? (Also about "Main Gearbox Cooling Air Inlet")
How does the air taken from the Gearbox Air Inlet provide the Gearbox cooling? Is the air taken from the outside transmitted directly to the Gearbox, or is there a separate system?
Also, I couldn't ...
- 2,049
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is this hole at the bottom of the DA40NG body?
This is the bottom of the fuselage of a DA40NG aircraft and where the right wing attaches to the fuselage. What is the thing I'm pointing at with the red arrow in the picture?
As it is written in the ...
- 2,049
6
votes
1
answer
753
views
What exactly is the winter baffle in parentheses, where is it used and what does it do?
What exactly is the winter baffle in parentheses, where is it used and what does it do? The image is taken from the preflight checklist of the DA40NG aircraft.
- 2,049
-1
votes
1
answer
102
views
FMC and MCDU not talking
I have a test bed in which the FMC and MCDU are hooked up to one another.
FMC menu was populated on MCDU and was able to be navigated.
After making some changes to the FMC GPS #2 lines, the FMC ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How is the 737 NG/MAX able to operate at a pressure differential greater than that at which the cabin-pressure relief valve operates?
So I was reading about the 737's cabin-pressurization system, and then I came across these two bits of information:
Limitations
Max differential pressure:
Series
Max Diff
1/200's [sic]
7.5psi
...
- 28.1k
26
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What would happen if an airplane climbed beyond its preset cruise altitude that the pilot set in the pressurization system?
What would happen? Would the cabin pressure increase too much and cause damage?
- 6,322
0
votes
2
answers
177
views
When carburettor heat knob is partially open, is the primary air filter closed fully or partially?
I know that when the carburetor heat knob is fully opened, the primary air filter is closed. But what happens to the primary filter when carburettor heat is partially open? Is the primary filter ...
- 1
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Did Malaysia flight 370 have a ELT on board?
Couldn't be ELT be used to track its position? And don't airliners have ACARS to identify a crash?
- 6,322
4
votes
2
answers
559
views
How do aircraft inverters work and why are they necessary?
How do inverters in aircraft work? And why are they necessary?
- 6,322
0
votes
0
answers
112
views
Why is the APU controller and ECB located aft without ventilation on Boeing and Airbus aircraft?
On Boeing and Airbus aircraft, the APU controller and electronic control box (ECB) is located aft. Why is it located here, where no ventilation is available?
Why it is isolated from different line-...
0
votes
1
answer
124
views
Where does the air used in an air cooled oil cooler come from in jet engines?
For example, in a turbofan engine the air is taken from the ambient air outside the engine or is it taken from the compressed air from one of the compressor stages ?
- 63
-2
votes
4
answers
732
views
Why do helicopters need two pedals? Why is one not enough?
Picture source
Why do helicopters have two pedals (as shown in the picture); why is one not enough? As we know, the pedals provide directional control through the tail rotor, to yaw left or right. As ...
- 4,411
0
votes
1
answer
97
views
Can the ECS pipe/hose run through the aircraft fuel tank?
Hope you can help?
We are in the process of redefining aircraft fuel tank and there might be a possibility that we may need to run the ECS (Environmental control system) pipe through the fuel tank? ...
4
votes
1
answer
750
views
Why do some planes cage their attitude indicator while parked?
I've noticed that some planes cage their attitude indicators when Parked and uncaged them after start. As seen in this Lear 35 checklist. Why is this?
- 6,322
0
votes
1
answer
106
views
Safe to use Volkswagen golf mk1 for my ultralight aircraft project? [closed]
Good day house, I'm trying to understand if I should use the Volkswagen golf mk1 (60hp) engine for my ultralight projects..
All advise will be greatly appreciated.. ♥️
- 55
2
votes
2
answers
171
views
What is the difference between a reverse and non-reverse bootstrap ACM?
I'm doing a project for my school about aviation and I ran into reverse bootstrap air cycle machines (ACMs).
What is the difference between reverse and non-reverse bootstrap ACMs? Also, which ...
-1
votes
1
answer
135
views
How does an aircraft work with ILS [closed]
In what situation will an aircraft show you "LOC*" in FMA?
What signal does the aircraft received when LOC*?(how does the aircraft know it is on LOC*)
And which heading will the aircraft ...
- 355
6
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Why is it that some planes require the AC to be turned off during engine start and take off?
I've noticed that some pilots turn off the climate control for start up and takeoff, like the Sr22. Why is this? And has this been phased out with new technology?
- 6,322
16
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Why are the speed brakes on the F-86 deployed when parked?
The lovely F-86 Sabre always seems to have its speedbrakes deployed when parked, to the point that most of the results I found looking for a good photo for this question were scale model forums ...
- 595
2
votes
0
answers
548
views
Which Aircraft Utilise Fly-By-Light Controls?
Although I can find reference to the Eurocopter EC135 being a test bed for fly-by-light, I am not sure if it has entered production with the system [1]. The only confirmed aircraft I can find is the ...
- 487
8
votes
3
answers
1k
views
1978 C152 Battery Discharge in-flight
For the past few months our flying club has been plagued with a problem. The problem is that when we start the plane, we initially have a good surcharge on the ammeter. Then, either we run-up, takeoff,...
- 81
11
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What is the artificial horizon in between the pilots for?
There's always a third artificial horizon, generally closer to the left (Captain's) side, but I've never understood what it's for. Is it just a backup, or does it serve some extra purpose?
- 133
2
votes
1
answer
185
views
How do the hydraulics in an airplane have constant pressures? What is creating resistance to the pump flow to create constant pressure?
my question comes from the A320 specifically, and I also suppose Boeing jets. Whenever you check the hydraulic system pressures on an A320 it says 3,000 psi, even when you move the flight controls. ...
- 21
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why doesn’t ACARS just use HF if it has better range than VHF?
Why does ACARS default to VHF if HF has a better range?
For example, when requesting ATIS from an airport, it will first try VHF, and if that fails, it will try HF. And if all hope seems lost, it ...
- 6,322
0
votes
1
answer
223
views
Ice Protection System for supersonic aircraft
How does a supersonic transport aircraft IPS system work? Does it work only for the engine nacelle or both engine and wing. I was thinking only for nacelle since the wings are usually highly swept.
...
- 119
3
votes
1
answer
579
views
What is needed in a plane to fly approach mode?
Do you need anything other than approach mode to be able to have the plane fly the ILS to minimums? Do you need a EFD (glass cokpit) or can it be done with steam gages as well?
- 6,322
0
votes
1
answer
592
views
Why does engine temperature rise upon applying carburetor heat?
When carb heat is applied, the mixture enriches due to hotter and less-dense air mixing with the fuel. But a richer mixture has the side effect of cooling the engine down. So why does carb heat cause ...
- 3
15
votes
1
answer
5k
views
What does the "High Alt Landing" guarded push button on the A320 exactly do?
I am aware that not all variants of the A320 are equipped with the HIGH ALT LANDING guarded push button. I know that it is pushed before landing at high altitude airfields. Was wondering what it does ...
- 153
10
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Can flaps on Airbus/Boeing airliners be deployed at high speeds during cruise, still?
Brief Background of the Incident
Mayday Season 22 Features an Episode "Terror over Michigan" (Episode 6) based on the events of TWA Flight 841. The Episode revolves around a Boeing 727 ...
0
votes
1
answer
230
views
Who is the manufacturer of the power inverter used by Ampaire electric aircraft?
Please see the picture within this article.
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
369
views
What windshield washer fluids do aircraft use?
What are the fluids currently used on commercial aircraft that have an in-flight windshield washer system (not just a wiper)?
And if they exist, are there fluids more "ecological" that could ...
- 21
9
votes
5
answers
3k
views
What downsides could there be to not letting your engine's oil temperature get above the given limit to taxi/take off before you do so?
I'm not a pilot, and I'm sure most pilots who fly piston aircraft would know this, but what could happen if you operate an aircraft with an oil temperature lower than what the checklist says you ...
- 93
2
votes
1
answer
144
views
Are there any external reviews of airplanes' control system software?
Is an airplane's control software source code open (or to some extent) to external review?
I don't imagine it is open-sourced, but if it is completely a black box, how can we know that any accident is ...
- 123
8
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Why is it that only prop planes have mixture?
Prop driven planes have mixture control yet jets don't. Why is this? Even turbine powered props like the SOCATA/Daher TBM have mixture control.
- 6,322