What does fly-by-wire mean?

Peter Fleming2022-04-29T10:10:12+01:00

FBW systems replace mechanical flight controls with an electronic interface to provide semi-automatic, computer-controlled flight control of aircraft. In response to the pilot’s movements, the aircraft’s flight control computers (FCCs) interpret those signals and adjust actuators that move the flight control surfaces. Sensors throughout the aircraft are also monitored by computers so that automated adjustments can be made to ensure the best possible flight. Using sensor data from active control sticks, the FCC creates “tactile cueing”, which provides pilots with tactile...

What is an Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI)

Peter Fleming2022-04-29T10:25:40+01:00

The Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI), often referred to as the Navigation Display (ND), replaces a number of different instruments found on a conventional aircraft instrument panel, and may be used to depict some or all of the following information: heading flown;heading or track selected;bearing to or from a navigation beacon (VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME));lateral deviation from a selected track;ground speed, distance and time to go;aeronautical map;weather information; plus much more information according to design. Skybrary

What is a Primary Flight Display (PFD)

Peter Fleming2021-11-17T12:07:32+00:00

The Primary Flight Display (PFD) is an instrument which integrates and depicts, on a single display, all of the information that was historically presented on a number of individual electromechanical instruments. The PFD has evolved from a basic attitude indicator/flight director combination, presented electronically on a CRT, to an Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator (EADI) which, variable by manufacturer, added additional information such as heading, altitude and airspeed. The modern PFD displays virtually all of the information that the pilot requires to...

What is an Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS)

Peter Fleming2021-11-17T12:08:06+00:00

An Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) is a flight deck instrument display system in which the display technology used is electronic rather than electromechanical. A typical EFIS system comprises a Primary Flight Display (PFD) (Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator (EADI)) and an Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI) (Navigation Display). In some designs the two displays are integrated into one. Skybrary