Questions tagged [avionics]
Avionics is applied electronics to aviation. Radars, radios, instruments, dashboards, they all belong to this category.
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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 ...
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4 Basic Forces of flight [closed]
I am looking for shortened but precise and understandable definitions for the 4 forces of flight for an essay I have to do (Lift, Weight, Thrust and Drag) or key parts I need to emphasise.
Any help or ...
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At what point is the input data to glass cockpit PFDs converted to digital?
At a very basic level, primary flight displays take data from sensors, do calculations, and display the results on a screen. Of course, because they are digital computers, the input must be digital, ...
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Does the Garmin G-1000 contain a database of airport information?
Some modern avionics contain airport information similar to what is published on charts and in the FAA's Airport/Facilities Directory.
Does the G-1000 keep airport information in a database that can ...
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What is a Integrated Avionics Unit (IAU) and is it related to a IMA?
Reading through a TBM 930 avionics handbook, I came across the integrated avionics unit. What does this do and how does it work? Also, why does the auto pilot only follow one flight director as seen ...
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ATSU AOC software for A320 - how to change mass units for OOOI msgs from LBS to KGS
There are 2 A320 acft; one which transmits OOOI msgs with FOB in LBS and one with FOB in KGS. We want to maintain records in KGS but since the values are auto-parsed into our ops software we have to ...
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How does the GMU44 magnetometer differ from a magnetic compass?
In comments to Is the Garmin G1000's heading indicator based on a Magnetic compass?, it's claimed that the GMU44 magnetometer is not a magnetic compass.
I don't understand this claim, as the device is ...
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Is there historical evidence whether or not FAR §21.9 applies to owner-manufactured avionics?
Looking at an explanation of §21.9 (formerly §21.303(b)2), it seems very straightforward for an owner to produce a part for an ...
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What was the first programmable computer used in a flight-related role on an aircraft?
What was the first programmable digital computer, or device containing a programmable digital computer, used on an aircraft or spacecraft for a purpose related to flight? To use modern devices as an ...
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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-...
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Air density factor when calculating Airspeed
I am making my own attitude indicator / AHRS, like a Garmin G5. I am using two pressure sensors to measure altitude & airspeed via static /pitot lines.
Now I know the formula for calculating ...
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What is that green dashed circle on ND?
I think this is a navigation display from a boeing aircraft
I searched around the internet for the meaning of the "green dashed circles" but got nothing.
Thanks in advance for your answers!
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How does the entertainment system in aircraft receive moving Map data? [duplicate]
How does the in-flight entertainment system inside an aircraft receive data for the moving map, like position, airspeed, origin and destination?
Is it connected to ADS-B receiver or it gets data from ...
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Do cell phones interfere with GA avionics?
I think most people know that cell phone signals can interfere with airliner avionics; that's why airplane mode exists. Is this an issue with small GA planes?
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Testing magnetos during engine failure
I'm a student pilot (PPL) and the C172 I fly has the following item in the emergency checklist for in-flight engine failures:
MAGNETOS...............TEST
My ...
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Did the F-16 have an AoA limiter since the very first variant?
Did the F-16 have an AoA limiter since the very first variant or was it added later?
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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 ...
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How does the fly-by-wire on the new F/A-18 Super Hornet work and what is it maintaining?
I am trying to replicate the fly-by-wire (FBW) system of the Super Hornet for a game called SimplePlanes. I was wondering if it is maintaining a certain $g$ number, turn rate, angle of attack, or a ...
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Garmin G1000 'Waves in a Circle' Symbol?
we had this symbol come up on a G1000 and could not find a reference for what it indicates. Could anyone tell me what it means?
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What do the letters "h" and "i" next to TCAS ND symbols mean?
What is the meaning of the letters h and i seen behind the relative altitude on the TCAS ND indication:
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Can I work civilian aircraft with just an FAA Airframe certificate?
I am currently in the Air force, but plan on separating after my contract ends. I really like the field of avionics and aviation in general.(I am a B-1 Offensive Avionics Systems guy) However, when I ...
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What could cause an air data computer interfaced via A429 to only display integer values?
I'm working with a Shadin 2000 air data computer interfaced via ARINC 429 to an Avidyne IFD 550. For some reason, the airspeed tape is flipping between discreet values, and not gradually increasing/...
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Are the terms "FMGS" and "MCDU" just Airbus-terms, or are there technical reasons behind the terminology?
I often see commotions online regarding the terminology. Are they just Airbus vs Boeing terms, or are there technical reasons behind them? In everyday speech FMC, FMS, FMCS, FMGS, CDU, MCDU can all be ...
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Body angle rate and body angular velocity
Are these terms used interchangeably to mean the same things?
I'm aware of the conversion between body rates (often, $[p, q, r])$ and Euler rates (commonly, [$\dot\phi, \dot\theta, \dot\psi])$. This ...
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Does the GPWS rely solely on the radio altimeter?
The ground proximity warning system (GPWS) uses the radio altimeter to receive information about the distance from the ground. Does the GPWS system work solely based on the information it receives ...
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How does increasing the rate of pulse pairs in DME 'search' mode help?
From How does an airborne DME unit differentiate itself?
The higher rate in SEARCH [150 PP/S] gives it more opportunity to detect the replies as it has no knowledge of range in search and thus has to ...
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Do GPS systems in modern avionics mitigate against spoofing attacks?
There exist a number of different techniques [PDF] to mitigate (or at least detect) GPS spoofing, but the most effective techniques require access to the military-only M-code [PDF]. However, there was ...
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What would cause a Cessna 182T G1000 to show red X's on Manifold, Fuel, M & S Batt Amps?
Our 2006 Cessna 182T G1000 suddenly started showing the following X's on Manifold, Fuel, and M/S Batt Amps. You can see in the second photo, that the batteries are charging when the plane is started. ...
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Before certified GPS, how much did a full IFR panel cost?
Certified IFR GPS navigators are expensive, but the price of even used HSIs and DME seem to bring some perspective to that cost. How much did a full IFR upgrade cost back in the day before GPS?
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What does "DO" in "DO-160" stand for?
What does "DO" in "DO-160" stand for? Is it short for document? I have searched in internet but it only mentions the document details.
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In aircraft ventilation, what is meant by temperature increasing/decreasing for calculating the on-ground threshold?
In an open-circuit configuration, in normal operation, the A320 FCOM states:
The open-circuit configuration operates when skin temperature is above the on-ground threshold.
On-ground threshold = +12C ...
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Why is the 5G rollout a problem in the USA but apparently nowhere else?
The FAA is concerned that 5G cell phone signals could adversely affect radar altimeters on aircraft. This is because 5G signals are in the 3.7 to 3.98 GHz range, while radar altimeters operate in the ...
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What does CPLD mean in aviation in general and on this altitude alerter?
I saw the shortcut CPLD on this altitude alerter from a Cessna 210, and could not work out what it could possibly mean:
What does it mean on this altitude alerter, ...
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Why does the INIT page on the A320 MCDU have "FLT NBR" instead of "CALL SIGN"?
My understanding is that the call sign is entered for FLT NBR on the INIT page (e.g. EZY8418), not the flight number (U28418). I have heard of reports of pilots mistakenly entering the flight number ...
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Does the FAA take programming language selection of the aircrafts' avionics as a factor when deciding the aircraft's airworthiness certificate?
It looks like many military/space/aviation instruments are programmed in Ada or Spark. Because these languages claimed and proved their safety. What if your system is not written in these languages? ...
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Is the Morse code identifier required continuously when using a VHF NAVAID for navigation?
I am thinking of getting an MGL N16 VHF Nav radio with the MGL Vega V16 Control head. It has an interesting mode of operation (referred to as SCAN Mode) where the single receiver in the N16 rapidly ...
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What are those polygons on the Garmin avionics navigation display?
I'm not pilot yet, just an enthusiast having some fun in MSFS2020.
What do those colored lines mean in Garmin avionics?
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Is the use of 1/8 NPT ports on pitot/static instruments derived from an FAA standard?
On almost every pitot-static instrument used in general aviation aircraft, a 1/8 female NPT port is provided to connect the instrument to the pitot-static system. I was told that is is a requirement ...
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What are the current challenges in software engineering for avionics? [closed]
I'm a software engineer working outside the aviation field, but I'm really passionate about avionics and I'd like to do my Master thesis in the area of software engineering for avionics.
Unfortunately,...
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What does "Mods" and then the check marked list of numbers mean on avionics?
Most of the avionics I see have a label that says "Mods" and then various numbers checked 1-15.
Image source.
What does this information relate to?
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How is the voting mechanism and FDI algorithm applied in transport aircraft?
How is the voting mechanism applied in modern transport airplanes for airdata/inertial reference sensors fault detection and isolation (FDI)?
Are there any other FDI methods approved by the regulators ...
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What is the difference between autopilot and fly-by-wire system?
I observed a lot of people misinterpret these words. In my opinion, autopilot assists the pilot by inputting the commands to the computer whereas fly-by-wire (FBW) system sends and receives signals ...
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How does the Boeing 737's implementation of RNAV and VOR approaches compare to Airbus? [closed]
How does the Boeing 737's implementation of RNAV and VOR approaches compare to Airbus?
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Why is the Auto GCAS system on F-16s limited to only 5G?
The automated ground collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS) on the F-16 is set up for only 5G's.
If the system predicts an imminent collision, an autonomous avoidance maneuver—a roll to wings-level ...
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Why do some GPS receivers suppress RAIM integrity warnings after you pass the FAF?
RAIM performs an integrity check 2NM from the FAF. If RAIM is lost before the FAF, one should execute the missed approach.
However, if RAIM is lost after passing the FAF, some GPS receivers will ...
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How do Luneberg lenses hide a stealth aircraft's real signature?
I thought aircraft was supposed to be stealth and not show up on radar under the right conditions. This article says
Removable Luneburg lens type radar reflectors are sometimes attached
to military ...
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How does Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) improve reliability and obsolescence mitigation over the federated architecture?
I've been researching this question on why IMA is more reliable, and the common answer seems to be because of the robust partitioning which is reliable and can prevent software fault propagation.
But ...
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How can I know if the Garmin GTX 345 transponder supports modes A and C?
How can I know if the GTX 345 supports mode A/C?
I did not find a mention in the installation manual the capability of mode A/C.
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Does Boeing use a similar display to Airbus ECAM to view a particular system?
Airbus has a dedicated ECAM panel forward of the throttles which is used to select a system for display on the LCD. Is there a similar panel used to select a particular system for display on Boeing's ...
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On IMA systems e.g. A380 how many people are required to preform regular maintenance checks on this system?
I am aware that there is usually 1 or 2 engineers preforming maintenance checks for a particular avionic system on an aircraft at a given moment. For IMA system, is there often more engineers working ...
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