Flight control computer
Flight control computer (FCC) is a primary component of the avionics system found in fly-by-wire aircraft. It is a specialized computer system that can create an artificial flight characteristics and improve handling characteristics by automating a variety of in-flight tasks which reduce the workload on the cockpit flight crew.[1]
Flight control computer receives and processes data from a multitude of sensors throughout the aircraft. These sensors monitor variables such as airspeed, altitude, and attitude (the aircraft's orientation in three-dimensional space). The FCC interprets this data in addition to pilot's controls, and executes actions to control the plane's flight control surfaces, including the ailerons, elevators, and rudder.
The flight control system must be fault tolerant, and for that purpose there can exist several primary flight control computers (PFCC) and secondary flight control computers (SFCC), which monitors the data output from PFCC and in the case of failure, SFCC can take over the flight controls.[2][3]
In the Boeing 777 there are three primary flight control computers (FCCs) located in the aircraft's electronic equipment bay, responsible for computing and transmitting commands for normal mode flight control surfaces to maintain normal flight, including rudder, elevators, ailerons, flaperons, horizontal stabilizer, multi-functional spoilers, and ground spoilers.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ Torres-Pomales, Wilfredo (2000-10-01). "Software Fault Tolerance: A Tutorial".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ III, Woodrow Bellamy (2021-11-17). "Diehl and Thales to Develop Flight Control Computers for CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL". Avionics International. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
- ^ Bartley, Gregg F. "The Avionics Handbook" (PDF).
- ^ "Boeing 777 Primary Flight Computer :: Rochester Avionic Archives". rochesteravionicarchives.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-10.