1. AIRCRAFT Electronic Instrument Systems

2. Introduction: Instruments have a vital role in controlling aircraft
They are means of communicating data between the aircraft systems and the controller (the Pilot)
Content and format of data displays are standard. Why?
For easier control and less mental effort

3. Common forms of Displays
Quantitative
Qualitative

4. Quantitative Displays:
Data is presented in terms of a numerical value and by the relative position between a pointer or index and a graduated scale
Example:
An Airspeed Indicator

5. Data is presented in pictorial or symbolic format
Qualitative Displays
Data is presented in pictorial or symbolic format
Example:
Attitude Director Indicator

6. Instrument Panels and Layouts
Primary Data must be in the pilot’s line of vision
Indications are so coordinated as to create a ‘picture’ of the aircraft flight condition
Important for instruments to be properly grouped to maintain coordination
Must assist pilot in observing them with minimum effort

7. Vertical Speeded Indicator
The ‘Basic Six’ Layout
Airspeed Indicator
Gyro
Horizon
Altitude Indicator
Turn & Bank Indicator
Vertical Speeded Indicator
Direction Indicator

8. The Basic ‘T’ layout Attitude Director Indicator Altitude Indicator
Mach & Airspeed Indicator
Vertical Speed Indicator
Radio Magnetic Indicator
Horizontal Situation Indicator

9. Types of Indicators Analogue Indicators Electronic displays
Mechanical Instruments showing a pointer moving on a dial or scale.
Used mainly in older generation Aircraft
Electronic displays
Instrumentation in the form of a CRT or LCD display.
Used in modern Aircraft

10. Example of an Analogue Instrument:
An Analogue Altimeter which indicates ‘Altitude’

11. Example of an Electronic Instrument:
Electronic Attitude Director Indicator (EADI) or Primary Flight Display. It also displays Altitude and Airspeed

12. Another example of an Electronic Instrument:
Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI) or Navigation Flight Display. It also displays Weather information

13. Boeing 737-200 Cockpit – all instruments are analogue
The Analogue Cockpit
Basic T-displays
Boeing Cockpit – all instruments are analogue

14. Airbus A320 cockpit – Almost all instruments are digital displays
The ‘Glass’ Cockpit
Basic T layout display
Airbus A320 cockpit – Almost all instruments are digital displays

15. Airbus A340 cockpit – Almost all instruments are digital displays
Basic T layout display
Airbus A340 cockpit – Almost all instruments are digital displays

16. Boeing 737 ‘New Generation’ Glass Cockpit
Basic T layout display
Boeing 737 ‘New Generation’ Glass Cockpit

17. Another Glass Cockpit – The Boeing 747 modern generation aircraft
Basic T layout display
Another Glass Cockpit – The Boeing 747 modern generation aircraft

18. Major difference between cockpits
Analogue
Basic T-layout consists of separate analogue instruments
Separate T-layout for Pilot and Co-pilot
Glass
Basic T-layout grouped in 2 CRT’s
One common T-layout spread on whole instrument panel

19. Electronic Instrument Systems
All modern aircraft use electronic display devices
EIDS (Electronics Instrument Display Systems)
EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument Systems)
Highly sophisticated technology providing the pilot with attitude and navigation information

20. Electronic Instrument Systems
Divided into two main sections:
Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS)
Aircraft and System Monitoring Instrument System

21. Basic Aircraft EFIS System

22. The Airbus A320 EIS Cockpit Layout
MCDU
ND or EHSI – Displays Nav. Info. And Weather
PFD or EADI – Displays Attitude, Airspeed, Altitude, etc.
ECAM system displays
Printer
The Airbus A320 EIS Cockpit Layout

23. Features of the EIS system
All is controlled by a Central Processing Unit (Data Management Unit)
Parameters, Error messages and maintenance data can be retrieved via MCDU or a Printer
Data filtering: Important data accentuated; temporary unimportant suppressed
Information can be transferred from one monitor to another

24. More features and advantages of EIS systems
Variability and Variety
Coloured Displays
All monitors/displays for the system are the same (ie: less components needed)
Brightness controlled automatically depending upon the level of sunlight
Data can be sent via Radio to ground (ACARS – Arinc Communication Addressing and Reporting Systems)

25. One disadvantage however:
In bright sunlight it might be more difficult to read monitor indications than it was with analogue indicators.

26. Monitoring systems Part of Electronic Instrument System: On Airbus:
ECAM system (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitoring)
On Boeing:
EICAS system (Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System)

27. ECAM system: Monitors aircraft functions and relays them to the pilots
Produces messages detailing failures
In certain cases lists procedures to undertake to correct problems
Colour coded warning scheme helps pilots to instantly assess the situation
ECAM system:

28. EFIS/ECAM system components (Airbus)
Engine/warning CRT
CRT control and transfer
PFD ND
System/Status CRT
ECAM Control Panel
MCDU
EFIS/ECAM system components (Airbus)
Printer

29. The Engine/Warning CRT Display shows:
Engine Parameters
Fuel on Board
Flight Control position
Warning/caution messages
Memo (when no failure exist)

30. System/Status CRT Display shows:
System synoptic diagrams
Status messages

31. The ECAM Control Panel Allows selection of system/status pages
Suppression and recall of warning/caution messages
Pressing ‘ALL’ will allow successive presentation of all system pages.

32. The MCDU and Printer MCDU (Multifunction Control & Display Unit)
The heart of the A320/319.
Everything that the airbus can do, can be controlled from this unit, including Maintenance Tests.
Aircraft Performance Data as well as Maintenance Data can be printed on a Printer.

33. CRT switching Data can be transferred between displays
Very useful in the case of CRT failure

34. EICAS system:
Provide aircraft engines parameters such as RPM, temperature values, fuel flow, etc.
Monitors systems like hydraulic, air-conditioning, electrical, etc.
Generates crew annunciations and warnings.

35. EFIS/EICAS System Components (Boeing)
EICAS Caution and Annunciation Panel
Engine Primary Display
Engine Secondary Display or Status/Maintenance Display
CRT switching Control Panel
EFIS/EICAS System Components (Boeing)

36. EICAS Display Units
Engine Primary Display and Warning Display
Engine Secondary Display and Status/Maintenance Display

37. EICAS Warning and Caution Annunciation Panel

38. ECAM/EFIS/EICAS Display MESSAGE Colour Coding:
RED: Warning
AMBER: Caution
GREEN: Normal Operation
BLUE: Action to be carried out
In addition to the CRT display, warnings and cautions generate an attention getter and audible sound in the cockpit.