8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

1/11

School of Engineering

6th Presentation

E232 Aircraft Instruments SystemsProblem 01: Inside the A380

8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

2/11

School of Engineering

What are Aircraft Instrument Systems?

Provides information to flight crew to aidthem in making correct decisions in flight

Information presented in 3 forms

Visually (e.g. cockpit indicators, warning lights)

Aurally (e.g. warning horn)

By touch (e.g. stick shaker)

8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

3/11

School of Engineering

Main Elements of an Instrument

Detecting element: sense / detect changesin physical quantity or condition

Measuring element: measures the value ofthe physical quantity

Coupling element: transmitting andmagnification of displacements

Indicating element: display of measuredquantity to the flight crew

8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

4/11

School of Engineering

Main Instruments in Aircraft Cockpit

8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

5/11

School of Engineering

Classification of Aircraft Instruments

Different ways of classifying instruments Can be grouped according to the job they

perform

Instrument Systems FunctionsFlight Instruments Shows aircraft attitude and flight characteristics

(eg. altimeter, airspeed indicator (ASI))

Navigation Instruments Guides aircraft along flight course (e.g.compass, horizontal situation indicator (HSI))

Engine Instruments Provides information about engines (e.g. oilpressure, engine pressure ratio (EPR))

System Instruments Provides system operation status (e.g.pneumatic pressure, power voltage)

8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

6/11

School of Engineering

Cockpit Layout

Basic Six

Basic T

8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

7/11

School of Engineering

Airbus 380 Cockpit

AB

D

CE

F

G

A: Primary Flight Display(PFD)

B: Navigation Display(ND)

C: Electronic Centralised

Aircraft Monitor (ECAM)

D: Multi-functionalControl Display Unit(MCDU)

E: Standby Instruments

F: Magnetic Compass

G: Autopilot ControlPanel

8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

8/11

School of Engineering

A320 PFD Basic T Layout

Airspeed

Heading

AttitudeIndicator /ArtificialHorizon

Altitude

VerticalSpeed

8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

9/11

School of Engineering

Requirements for Aircraft Instruments

High reliability

Minimum weight

Withstand aircraft movements and forcesof acceleration during flight

Free from corrosion

Minimal interference from radio and

magnetic sources Easy installation, removal and adjustment

8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

10/11

School of Engineering

Types of Instrument Mountings

Clamp mounted Tightening of clamp holdsdown instrument Most commonly used

Bezel mounted Bezel mounted on front ofpanel

Rear mounted Retaining screws in the rear hold the instruments in

position

Clamp mounting

8/3/2019 E232 S01 Inside the A380

11/11

School of Engineering

Learning Objectives

Purpose of aircraft instruments

Common cockpit layouts

Various display technologies Classification of aircraft instruments

Design considerations for instruments