Questions tagged [aircraft-systems]
The essential systems found on most aircraft, including power plants, fuel systems, electrical systems, and flight instruments.
471
questions
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How does altimeter reading vary when departing from ISA conditions?
I am a soon-to-be student-pilot and am struggling with a basic concept that is altitude. After watching multitude of online videos, I feel that most of the people do not have good teaching skills.
...
5
votes
1
answer
286
views
The Fokker Universal has a crank you have to spin rapidly upon startup. What is it?
The Fokker Universal is one of my favorite aircraft. There is only one complete representation of it in existence at a museum in Canada. A video series I saw on YouTube tells the story of its ...
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Will the ATC be in constant communication with aircraft? [duplicate]
When a passenger aircraft travels at higher altitudes will it be in constant touch with air traffic controller?
Are the altitudes or flight levels assigned by ATC or does the pilot file them as part ...
5
votes
1
answer
381
views
Why do some airplanes have a vertical rudder hinge while some others are canted?
I was thinking that canted rudder hinges are used for modern aircraft while the vertical ones are used for old slow airplanes. But it seems that I was wrong since the SST Tupelov Tu-144 and the ...
5
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How does a flux gate compass system work?
I have heard of gyroscopes and AHRS being used for heading indication, but I haven't heard of a flux gate compass system until recently.
What are the principles of its operation and what types of ...
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is the material and font used on the panels of most cockpits?
I am working on a project for one of my aerospace engineering classes and was curious to see if anyone knew what type of material is used to make the panels of a cockpit (preferably a 737) as well as ...
5
votes
1
answer
423
views
White light illuminating the engine coming on at intervals in flight; Curious what's the protocol?
I was recently flying Air China from Beijing to Bombay & happened to seat on the Window seat close to the wings.
I could see the engines and there was a light that could illuminate the engines. ...
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the risk of leaving the MAN START PB 'ON' on the A320?
During a manual start on a A320, the ENG MAN START P/B opens the start valve which then runs the starter motor. During the MAN START process, at some point, the start valve closes automatically. What ...
5
votes
1
answer
800
views
How do airplanes regulate the output frequency of AC generators?
AC electrical buses are common in airplanes from light piston twins all the way up to the largest airliners. I usually see both a 115v and 36v AC bus with a 400 Hz output frequency. How do most ...
5
votes
1
answer
212
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 ...
5
votes
1
answer
190
views
Are the details of flight control laws the same for every fly-by-wire Airbus aircraft or are they only the same within the specific family?
I was wondering if someone learns the details of every single flight control law for the A320 family, does that knowledge still apply to all the other Airbus aircrafts? If not, what are the ...
5
votes
0
answers
481
views
What are the popular algorithms or softwares used in identifying or track flights by ATC? [closed]
Just curious to know about the algorithms /software used by ATC for tracking flights in real time.Can it be classified under ERP ?If no under which category does that fall ?
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How are the services kept running on a plane without an APU? [duplicate]
I have seen several aircraft that do not have an operative APU, so how are lights, air, and other systems kept running?
4
votes
3
answers
2k
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 ...
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Why does load shedding still occur in jetliners (e.g., 787) when there is so much power available?
I had a few questions about how electrical generator works on an aircraft, the 787 to be specific although I know it is similar for all aircraft.
So the 787 engines have 2 VFSG each which are rated ...
4
votes
2
answers
814
views
How do aircraft inverters work and why are they necessary?
How do inverters in aircraft work? And why are they necessary?
4
votes
1
answer
929
views
Why this Mooney is draining fuel when priming
Today at the flying club, I witnessed a Mooney startup. When the pilot primed the engine, there was a fair amount of fuel (I’m assuming) that was drained near the nose gear. What is the reason for ...
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?
4
votes
2
answers
581
views
What solutions are there against deep stalls?
What solutions are there against deep stalls?
According to SKYbrary:
Aircraft with a T-tail design are often configured with a Stick Pusher system to help prevent the mainplane angle of attack ...
4
votes
2
answers
703
views
Why does only one hydraulic intake line from the reservoir have a filter on the Arrow II?
This is a portion of an Arrow II landing gear hydraulic system diagram.
I noticed that there are two intake check valves, one located on each side of the pump, that would allow flow from the ...
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How much weight does removing a vacuum system really save?
For a small GA aircraft (e.g. Piper, Cessna, Mooney), does anyone have a before and after weight savings example from removing a vacuum system? E.g. calculated weight of component removal during W&...
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What property of a wing allows it to flex?
Is it the material used that allows the wing to flex or is wing flex caused by the structure of the wing?
4
votes
2
answers
640
views
What is an example of a system like MCAS?
The related question "Is it common for automated control systems to use non-redundant sensors?" does not ask about a specific example, nor are specific examples provided in the answer.
The criteria ...
4
votes
2
answers
523
views
What conditions cause the gear-up warning to sound on a Bombardier DASH-8?
As the title says, what conditions cause the gear-up warning to sound on a Bombardier DASH-8?
4
votes
1
answer
445
views
Can the Master Caution illuminate without the System Annunciator Panel on the 737NG?
Does the master caution light illuminate only with the System Annunciator Panel?
Or is the master caution illumination also connected to the related system panels?
I mean if there is an indication on ...
4
votes
2
answers
507
views
What happens when auto-pilot fails over the ocean?
Let’s assume the current location puts the aircraft 2 hours from the nearest airport, but the destination is 2 1/2 hours away.
Would the pilots hand fly the rest of the way?
Are they allowed to fly ...
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is the Boeing 737 MAX 8 MCAS exceptional in operating when autopilot is off?
To the uneducated reader it seems strange the Boeing 737 MAX 8 MCAS system only operates when autopilot is off. I understand the reasoning behind why it was implemented to operate when autopilot is ...
4
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Why is the A320 pre pressurised before take-off?
I know this question has been asked, but I still haven't understood the answer. In the A320 the cabin gets pre pressurised before takeoff as we apply takeoff thrust. What I don't understand is what is ...
4
votes
1
answer
1k
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?
4
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Does the yaw damper require manual activation on modern airliners?
Modern commercial aircraft are equipped with yaw dampers. This post explains the feature. Now I was wondering if there is a button to manually activate and deactivate it (e.g., on a Boeing 787) or if ...
4
votes
1
answer
798
views
Where to find information on the Daimler-Benz 606/610?
There seems to be relatively little information regarding either of these engines on the web. Anyone have an idea where I can find more info?
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What equipment does an A320 need in order to operate under RNP 2?
What are the aircraft equipment/systems eligibility requirements for Airbus A320 airplanes to operate in RNP 2 airspace?
4
votes
1
answer
4k
views
On what principle(s) do aircraft smoke detectors work?
I know there are smoke detectors in aircraft but on what principle(s) do they generally work?
Commercial smoke detectors can use several different techniques like optical sensing, heat sensing and ...
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why is engine #1 still used when taxiing with one engine?
According to the answer in this post Taxiing with one engine: Is engine #1 always used or do they switch? Engine #1 is used because it pressurizes the green HYD system which powers the Nose Wheel ...
4
votes
1
answer
485
views
What is the fluid released from the tail of this clipped Turkish airliner?
A Turkish A321 airliner was hit by an Asiana A330 on 13 May 2018 at Istanbul Airport. It seems a large amount of fluid was released from the damaged section. What is the fluid? There is no APU up ...
4
votes
1
answer
143
views
Is there a system of automated sharing of current (experienced) weather between aircraft in flight?
For example, if say - Aircraft 1 is flying a certain route, being followed by Aircraft 2 at an interval of say, 5 minutes (over the same position). Is there a system by which Aircraft 1 can transmit ...
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What are the most common reasons an aircraft to depressurize while flying? [closed]
What are the most common reasons that cause an aircraft to depressurize while flying? For example, a broken window, a failure on the Outflow Valve, etc.
4
votes
1
answer
662
views
How does a C208B's climate control system that utilizes bleed air for cabin heat work?
I'm studying the systems on my first turbine-engine aircraft, specifically, a C208B.
I know that there is "bleed air heat" that mixes with re-circulated cabin-air. I know that the bleed air ...
4
votes
1
answer
567
views
Does the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) see through clouds?
Or can it only detect terrain on a clear day or night? I’m mostly asking because of PIA268
I know GPWS is much more reliable in todays time, and I’m unsure if the accident flight even had a GPWS ...
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
In normal condition, is the Airbus A320 APU fuel supplied by the main engine boost pump only?
I have a question relating to APU fuel system.
As said in material, there are 2 system supplying fuel for APU to operate. 1st one is primary and 2nd one is secondary.
In the 1st system or low ...
4
votes
1
answer
954
views
What is the difference between FMCF and AIMS on the 777?
What is the difference between Flight Management Computing Function and Airplane Information Management System on B777?
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why do the A320's centre tank pumps stop working 5 minutes after the low level has been reached?
I'm new here and I'm in training course for Airbus A320. In the training material, it's said that the centre tank pumps are controlled to stop automatically 5 mins after the low level fuel has been ...
4
votes
1
answer
625
views
Why disable stall warning based only on low airspeed, rather than multiple criteria?
One of the factors that potentially contributed to the Air France 447 crash is that the stall warning was disabled when the airspeed fell below 60 knots.
I understand why this is -- you don't want to ...
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is the best extinguishing agent when wheels catch on fire? [duplicate]
What extinguishing agent must be used in the event of a fire involving wheels/tires? Why?
4
votes
1
answer
547
views
What are the specific number of passengers and conditions required to select HI, NORM, or LOW on the pack flow knob?
On the Airbus A320 there is a pack flow knob and you can either select HI(120%), NORM (100%), or LO (80%). You choose which one according to the number of passengers and ambient conditions. Obviously ...
4
votes
1
answer
438
views
What would it take to pressurize a cabin with surface pressure?
At cruise level around 10000 meters the cabin pressure is lower than surface pressure. The only reason for this, is to reduce stress on the structure of the plane, or fuselage, right?
My question is ...
4
votes
3
answers
371
views
What's holding equipment manufacturers from going into multicore, RTOS-based equipment?
What's holding equipment manufacturers from going into multicore, RTOS- based equipment?
Recently, Rockwell Collins certified its display systems based on RTOS:
Lynx Software Technologies, LynxOS-...
4
votes
1
answer
2k
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
...
4
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How does hydraulic actuator servo valve feedback work?
The book Aircraft Systems uses the following diagram for a mechanically controlled hydraulic linear actuator (for moving a control surface e.g. an aileron):
The following explanation is given about ...
4
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What are the adverse effects of keeping the PACKs on the A320 running with the LP air conditioning unit connected?
I had come across this statement will reading the limitations chapter in the FCOM. But once again there is no reasoning given for it I have also read the air conditioning systems chapter but can't ...