Category: Flight Instruments

Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder Introduction to FDR Flight data recorder preserves aircraft data for accident investigation Trend analysis and trouble shooting is also done using data from FDR FDR records data for 10 to 25 hours of flight data and kept in Black box Black box is painted red or orange and is located in tail fin The container is resistant to fire, heat, shock and water damage Tail fin location reduces damage due to G forces in an accident Components of FDR Flight data recorder is…

Airborne Collision Avoidance System Introduction to ACAS Airborne collision avoidance system is called Traffic collision avoidance system TCAS II is mandatory for all commercial aircraft with 19 passengers or more TCAS II detects, assesses and warns of collision risk Warnings consist of Traffic and Resolution Advisories Traffic Advisories provide proximity traffic information only. Resolution Advisories offer maneuvering advice in the vertical plane. Principle of ACAS ACAS works on the principle of secondary radar in air to air mode Minimum requirement for ACAS are Mode A SSR transponders Frequencies used is…

Ground Proximity Warning System Introduction to GPWS Ground proximity warning system prevents controlled flight into terrain Warns of proximity to the terrain which are potential threats to safety Operates in height band 50 to 2450 feet, which is same as radio altimeter Automatic selection of operation mode based on flight profile Radio altimeter, Mach meter, ADC and Glidepath provide inputs Undercarriage, Flaps and Navigation systems also provide inputs Stages of GPWS Warnings GPWS warnings fall under two categories Alert is a caution which means advisory instructions. Warnings are commands which…