9/9/2021
FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM
Presentation by: Engr. Shieldon M. Cuenca
Introduction - Flight Control System (FCS)
Aircraft flight control systems consist of flight control surfaces, the respective
cockpit controls, connecting linkages, and the necessary operating
mechanisms to control an aircraft’s direction in flight.
These control devices are hinged or movable surfaces through which the
attitude of an aircraft is controlled during takeoff, flight and landing.
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PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROLS
The rotating motions and the corresponding axis are:
Roll (wing down or up) - Longitudinal axis (nose to tail)
Pitch (nose up or down) - Lateral axis (wing tip to wing tip)
Yaw (nose left or right) - Vertical axis (Center of gravity up)
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Fly-by-wire
Fly-by-wire (FBW) systems are semi-automatic, computer-regulated
aircraft flight control systems that replace mechanical flight controls
with an electronic interface.
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When the pilot moves flight controls, those movements are
converted into electronic signals, which are then interpreted by the
aircraft's flight control computers (FCC) to adjust actuators that
move flight control surfaces. Computers also monitor sensors
throughout the aircraft to make automatic adjustments that
enhance the flight. When equipped with active control sticks, the
FCC also uses sensor data to create "tactile cueing" – sensory
feedback to the pilot in the form of improved physical "feel" for the
aircraft's motions and aerodynamic limits.
Traditional mechanical and hydro-mechanical flight control
systems use a series of levers, rods, cables, pulleys, and
more which pilots move to adjust control surfaces to
aerodynamic conditions. Their "hands on" design gives pilots
a direct, tactile feel for how the aircraft is handling
aerodynamic forces as they fly. On the other hand,
mechanical systems are also complicated to operate, need
constant monitoring, are heavy and bulky, and require
frequent maintenance.
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Because fly-by-wire is electronic, it is much lighter and less
bulky than mechanical controls, allowing increases in fuel
efficiency and aircraft design flexibility, even in legacy aircraft.
And to prevent flightcritical failure, most fly-by-wire systems
also have triple or quadruple redundancy back-ups built into
them. Further innovations to the system are also in
development, including fly-by-wireless, fly-by-optics, power-by-
wire, and more.
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MECHANICAL FLIGHT CONTROLS
FLY-BY-WIRE
(ELECTRICAL FLIGHT CONTROLS)
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Basic Operation - Closed-loop feedback control
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