Questions tagged [avionics]
Avionics is applied electronics to aviation. Radars, radios, instruments, dashboards, they all belong to this category.
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How do the VNAV and LNAV work on the 737NG?
So, I'm very confused. Im from a Cessna background, no FMC. So, based on my understanding, you could run the autopilot independent of the FMC right? With Speed mode, HDG SEL mode, and V/S mode, am I ...
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4answers
963 views
Is the 737's autopilot part of the FMS or is it a separate entity?
I was watching a tutorial about the FMS and the autopilot in the 737, and I am consfused. I come from a Cessna background, where there is no FMS, there is only the AP (autopilot).
So, is the AP a ...
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1answer
198 views
What is the “A/B AUTO EXT” button for in a Falcon 7X?
What is the "A/B AUTO EXT" button in the overhead panel of the Dassault Falcon 7X? I see it's in the Flight Control section but I don't know what is its purpose.
(sorry for low quality image)
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1answer
77 views
How do you indicate whether the supply of power to the gyroscopic instruments is adequate? [closed]
Is there an instrument to indicate this?
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1answer
406 views
What is the ambient temperature used in RTCA/DO 160?
I was going through RTCA/DO 160D for some work-related issue. I went through the whole document but nowhere does it define what the "ambient temperature" value is? In one place it defines +15 to +35 ...
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283 views
How to keep a Garmin GTX330 turned off when powering on avionics?
There seems to be an option in the GTX 330 settings that keeps to unit from powering on when receiveing power from the power system.
I flew in two different airplanes and one immediately powered on ...
2
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1answer
624 views
How does a HUD track a runway?
I was looking at the FCOM of the 787, and I came across an interesting thing. There is an HUD takeoff selection on the SID selection page. It got me to wonder, how does the HUD track the runway from ...
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2answers
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What is the standard power supply and voltage supply on modern airliners?
I'm looking at reducing the weight footprint of some of the computer systems on a commercial liner. A big consumer of weight seems to be in power supplies and conversion. Being a computer guy, I don't ...
2
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1answer
648 views
How do GLS avionics plot an entire accurate approach path?
I'm studying wireless navigation systems, especially GBAS. I have gone through some ICAO documents regarding GBAS. From what I have read, FAS data is included in Message Type 4. Closer examination of ...
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2answers
589 views
Why is an auditory alarm necessary when the autopilot disengages?
The FAA gives one requirement for the autopilot in the following FAR...
FAR §25.1329 Flight guidance system.
(j) Following disengagement of the autopilot, a warning (visual
and auditory) ...
7
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1answer
266 views
If a SID chart says “GPS… required”, can the plane use a different GNSS?
This US/FAA standard instrument departure says "Note: GPS or DME/DME/IRU required."
If the aircraft could tune into a different GNSS like GLONASS, could the pilot still legally fly the departure ...
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1answer
551 views
What is required to 'upgrade' software from DAL C to DAL A?
What are the things to be noted or considered if a software which was initially treated as DAL C and later wanted to be considered as DAL A?
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What CPU does the F-16 use?
I've read that the "F-16", without it being specified what version, uses the 1750A CPU, it is on the list here, although without a citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIL-STD-1750A
However, ...
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3answers
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Is VOR identification automated in modern avionics?
Is the VOR identification via audible Morse code automated in modern autopilots / avionics?
Or does a pilot in an A380 still sits in there, listens and compares the .-. .. -.. to her charts?
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1answer
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What is the difference between Body Pitch Rate and Inertial Pitch Rate?
ARINC 429 specifies two series of attitude rate labels for ADIRS/AHRS/IRS systems:
Body
326 : Body Pitch Rate
327 : Body Roll Rate
330 : Body Yaw Rate
Inertial
336 : Inertial Pitch Rate
337 : ...
2
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2answers
945 views
Aircraft data bus and computer system
What is a line replaceable unit (LRU) in an aircraft data bus system?
What kind of components are defined as LRU in a data bus system?
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2answers
858 views
What requirements do A&Ps (AMT) have to work on avionics?
Is there any additional requirement for A&Ps to work on avionics or is that even a totally different license?
I just wonder why only a few A&Ps I met, also do avionics.
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1answer
375 views
Could simple fly-by-wire controls be installed in a prototype as quickly as a mechanical system with an autopilot?
It seems that fly-by-wire systems can take longer to get certified as the testing requirements are much more extensive. A prototype aircraft wouldn't have to pass these tests.
How much more time or ...
2
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1answer
264 views
What does Phase 3A mean for avionics?
I've learned about Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 electrical systems. But recently I've faced an issue about replacement of Phase 3 Common Display System (CDS) Display Units (DUs) with new Phase 3A CDS ...
3
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1answer
1k views
Which radio altimeter is the Boeing 737NG call outs based on?
I'm wondering which of the two Radio Altimeters: Captain (left) or F/O (right), that the 737 does the RA callouts based on.
For instance, if the F/O's RA is slightly off, and passes 500ft before the ...
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1answer
3k views
What are the ICAO equipment codes for those Garmin units? [closed]
What are the ICAO equipment codes for those Garmin units?
Garmin G500 / 750 / 650 WAAS navigators?
3
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1answer
201 views
How frequently are avionics on large commercial aircraft updated?
How frequently are avionics on large commercial aircraft updated? And how are the systems updated?
3
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1answer
3k views
Does the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 have better resolution screens in the cockpit?
I know this is kind of a specific question so if nobody knows it's fine. Does anybody know if the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 has better resolution cockpit screens like PFD and ND? ( For the Airbus A320 ...
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3answers
272 views
What does “inertial” refer to in “inertial reference”?
An ADIRU makes use of air data reference and inertial reference. Inertial reference calculates the heading, position, ground speed and attitude. I was wondering why is it called inertial. Is it ...
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Are steam gauges more reliable than glass panels?
I have always had a deep appreciation for technology and the future and I encourage that technology should move us forward whether that be in aviation terms or otherwise but one question has been on ...
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2answers
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Is it possible to isolate COM1 and COM2 on a Garmin G1000?
Is it possible to isolate COM1 to one pilot and COM2 to the other pilot?
When I'm getting the ATIS it's hard to listen to both COM channels sometimes depending on the amount of traffic.
I used to be ...
6
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1answer
569 views
How does EEC/FADEC recognize/anticipate engine acceleration/deceleration?
So I'm wondering, when the engine runs at idle and the pilot sets a higher thrust level, what exactly happens, that the EEC/FADEC recognizes, that I want to accelerate? My professor said, it's ...
8
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1answer
222 views
How does a PFD handle unphysically abrupt changes in the parameters it's displaying?
This question is about human factors requirements in the design of software components displaying instruments in a primary flight display. (It's not about how to implement the software.)
Let's take ...
0
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1answer
124 views
Should I connect the AR6203 COM radio to the GMA324 audio panel using symmetric or asymmetric wiring?
I have this little project to change the Audiopanel and COM to GMA342, GNS430 and Becker AR6203. Airplane is a Piper 28-181.
I would like to know if I have to connect the AR6203 to GMA342 in ...
3
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1answer
468 views
How is the drift corrected in INS-driven attitude/heading indicators?
(wikimedia.org) EFIS instruments during a test flight.
How is the drift (accumulated error) nullified in INS-driven attitude/heading indicators?
The related post 'How are attitude indicators kept ...
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1answer
640 views
Does a Boeing 737 NG have Air Data Modules for the standby Pitot probe and static pressure port?
In other words, how does the ISFD calculate the air data and IR parameters? Or is the ISFD an ADM by itself?
3
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1answer
844 views
Is a non-WAAS Garmin 530 certified for an LNAV/VNAV approach?
I may not understand all the details of what I'm asking but trying to wrap my head around it.
I am aware that before WAAS, some GPS aircraft were equipped to get vertical guidance by a Barocorrected ...
4
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0answers
248 views
What aircraft manufacturer uses an HSI with DME, VOR, and G/S in one Instrument?
Which aircraft manufacturer uses a horizontal situation indicator (HSI) with DME, Glide Slope, VOR, and ADF in one Instrument?
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2answers
7k views
How is varying modulation depth achieved by localizer ground transmitters?
An approaching aircraft's navigation receiver uses the difference in depth of modulation between the 90Hz and 150Hz signals which are amplitude modulated onto an RF carrier (on a channel between ...
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2answers
821 views
Is the flight management system software independent from the hardware?
Is it possible to 'mix and match' hardware and software from different vendors to make a flight management system? I want to prepare a study about FMSes and I can see that there are several ...
6
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2answers
2k views
Why doesn't civil navigation equipment support TACAN?
Now even handheld aviation radios have GPS, VOR and ILS! I wonder why modern LCD screens with radios and navigation doesn't have TACAN? Is it coded, not useful, not certified or not used anymore? I ...
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2answers
211 views
Are there any failure-proof instruments on commercial airliners? [closed]
Let's assume worst case scenario - nighttime over the ocean, complete vacuum failure, perhaps complete electrical failure (in a "fly-by-pulley" plane perhaps), or at least avionics failure.
Is there ...
9
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2answers
427 views
What makes inertial guidance unsuitable for auto-land?
Above shows the performance of a Lockheed Martin civilian landing system developed in the mid-90s. It works by using the weather radar in SAR mode to update the INS, and the final 100 ft are flown by ...
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3answers
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What kind of delay does the A320's fly-by-wire system add?
More precisely, I am wondering if there is any kind of data on how long it takes between moving the sidestick and observing a reaction on the ailerons or elevator. I know that the physical control ...
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1answer
242 views
Is there an FMC not connected to the AP/FD?
Is it possible to have an FMC to compute the performance and navigation without having it linked to an autopilot or flight director?
Does/did such setup exist?
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2answers
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Airbus control architecture - where does the actual autopilot live?
I'd like to ask for confirmation about the A320 (and, generally, Airbus family) control architecture. The book Aircraft Systems provides the following
overview of A3XX computing architectures:
...
8
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1answer
565 views
What is the climb/descent rate that triggers the TCAS up/down arrow?
If Aircraft One is maintaining a low rate of climb/ descent, is there a minimum descent or climb rate threshold below which the up/down arrow will not show up on the TCAS of the Aircraft Two?
I have ...
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2answers
3k views
What do all the indicators on a HUD mean?
Every Jet Fighter these days seems to have a Head Up Display. What do all of these indicators mean?
Some things are fairly obvious:
there is a compass
there is an artificial horizon
Other ...
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1answer
585 views
Does TCAS II equipment satisfy the required ADS-B installation?
The title says it all.
If TCAS II is installed and functioning, does it satisfy the ADS-B OUT mandates?
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1answer
3k views
How are electronic systems locked and connected in the electronic bay?
On aircraft the electronics bay contains multiple systems, e.g. for the A320:
A320, photo by B-2230, source: JetPhotos
How is the electronic equipment locked (it seems there are two mobile screws) ...
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1answer
435 views
Which AFDX connections are used in Airbus A380?
AFDX is defined by ARINC 664 Part 7 and used in Airbus A380, I would like to know in which connections on the aircraft is used and for which purposes? Does anyone knows the answer or good ...
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1answer
1k views
Would it be possible to build a “rocket” using a series of ducted fans?
I'm wondering if it would be possible to build ducted fan "rocket".
My idea is to construct the duct from 18650 batteries, and to have a series of contra rotating fans along its length.
I can 3d ...
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1answer
971 views
What kind of OS or programming language does the aviation use? [duplicate]
Windows XP because its the most stable system ever ?
C++ because its the most verstatile thing ever ?
Also I am not limiting this question to avionics but to
Garmin GPS/Glass cockpit
B737 Flight ...
1
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1answer
61 views
How do ETSOAs/TSOAs expire?
EASA can issue an ETSOA (Euro-Technical Standard Order Authorization/Approval) for certain equipment design, to simplify installation authorization on an aircraft type design.
I found no notice of ...
3
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1answer
409 views
Which avionics suite does the 757 use?
I am wondering who makes the 757 avionics? Is there a glass cockpit upgrade? What is the name of the avionics suite?
Thanks in advance
