Avionics Technician – Common Systems – A Guide to Aircraft Electronics
Aircraft avionics refer to the systems responsible for controlling and operating an aircraft. They serve as the aircrafts senses providing pilots with information for safe and efficient flying. Avionics systems consist of components such as sensors, instruments, displays and computers.
Sensors play a role in the avionics chain by collecting data about the aircrafts surrounding environment and internal conditions.
Sensors:
- Air data sensors: These sensors measure parameters like airspeed, altitude and heading of the aircraft.
- Inertial sensors: These sensors gauge the aircrafts acceleration and rotation.
- Attitude sensors: They monitor the pitch, roll and yaw of the aircraft.
- Engine sensors: These are responsible for monitoring engine performance.
- Landing gear sensors: They provide information on whether the landing gear’s extended or retracted.
Instruments:
- Airspeed indicator: This instrument shows the current airspeed of the aircraft.
- Altimeter: It indicates the altitude at which the aircraft is flying.
- Altitude indicator: This instrument displays information regarding pitch, roll and yaw of the aircraft.
- Heading Indicator: This instrument shows the direction in which the aircraft is heading.
- Engine Instruments: These instruments provide information about the engines performance, including temperature, pressure and rpm.
Displays:
- Primary Flight Display (PFD): This display presents data such as airspeed, altitude, heading and attitude of the aircraft.
- Navigation Display (ND): Pilots can view their position and planned route on a map using this display.
- Multifunction Display (MFD): This versatile display can show types of information like weather radar, traffic updates and engine data.
Computers:
Modern avionics systems heavily rely on computers. These computers handle tasks such, as processing sensor data calculating flight paths and controlling systems of the aircraft. The key functions performed by avionics computers are:
- Flight Control: Computers calculate control inputs to maintain the desired flight path of the aircraft.
- Navigation: Computers determine the position and route of the aircraft while providing guidance to pilots.
- Autoflight: Computers have capabilities to automatically control aspects of flight operations like takeoff and landing.
Safety
The safety of flight heavily relies on avionics systems. These systems provide pilots with information to make informed decisions and prevent accidents. To ensure their reliability avionics systems are governed by safety regulations.
The Future of Avionics
Avionics systems are constantly evolving, incorporating technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance their capabilities. In the future we can expect more advanced and capable avionics systems that will further improve the safety and efficiency of flying.
I hope this article has provided you with an understanding of aircraft avionics and sensors.
Additional Information:
- “Avionics” is a term formed by combining “aviation” and “electronics.”
- The development of aircraft avionics systems began in the 1920s.
- Over time avionics systems have progressively become more sophisticated.
- Modern aircraft heavily rely on avionics systems, for efficient operation.