Reading through the documents from Airbus can be difficult if you do not know the short forms and abbreviations used. My personal experience require me to pause and search for the meaning of the abbreviations, as such I and collecting the data and put it in this blog.
ADCN - Analogue/Digital Converter
ADDA - Analogue/ Digital Digital Analogue
AFDX - Aircraft Full Duplex
AIMS - Aircraft Information and Management System
API - Application programming interface
ARINC 664 is the standard for deterministic ethernet network used in avionics databus for A380 and B787.
COTS - Commercial Off the Shelf.
CPIOM - Core Processor and Input/ Output Module
GWM - Gate Way Module
IMA - integrated modular avionics
Incremental qualification - each system manufacturer has to integrate his own functions without concern with the others. ( Refer aslo partitioning)
LRU - Line Replaceable Unit
PDM - Product Data Management
PSM - power supply unit
RDC - Remote Data Concentrator
VL - Vertical Link
I an putting the relevant reference that I manage to pick into this blog to assist those sitting for EASA category B1.1 examination.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Aviation Law and Regulation
Understanding the law and regulation is part of the syllabus to become a licensed engineer. I have included a video giving the historical perspective of the aviation laws.
The first international conference on Civil Aviation was held in Paris in 1919 where one of the item agreed was the authority of the country on its air space. As the number of aircraft and the international flights increased, the main concerns were on the safety and the international co operations between nations. The worlds had witnessed a fast development of aircraft during the second world war. When the war ended, there was high number of idle aircraft that were made available for commercial usage.
In 1944, USA took the lead and invited the nations for a conference in Chicago.This had led to the creation of an international body to regulate the international aviation. Among the agenda of the discussion and the subsequent agreements were:
- the sovereignty of the individual state.
- the exchange of the commercial rights leading to the developments of the documents "Freedom of the Air".
- Tariff and custom rights of the contracting states. The foreign aircraft has to land at the first port of landing at a "custom airport" where the immigration formality are carried out. With the European Union, the requirements are removed.
- The rules on taxation - There is no tax for fuel and oils and technical parts used on the aircraft.
- Marking and registration of aircraft - aircraft have to carry the national markings and the registration marking. Even how the markings to be displayed were agreed.
- Aircraft has to carry a list of documents - they are.. the certificate of airworthiness, crew licenses, load sheet, certificate of registration, radio license and aircraft log book.
The aviation law and regulations are enforced by the individual contracting states based on the agreed terms of the ICAO. There were a number of subsequent conferences that changes some of the terms and references.
The first international conference on Civil Aviation was held in Paris in 1919 where one of the item agreed was the authority of the country on its air space. As the number of aircraft and the international flights increased, the main concerns were on the safety and the international co operations between nations. The worlds had witnessed a fast development of aircraft during the second world war. When the war ended, there was high number of idle aircraft that were made available for commercial usage.
In 1944, USA took the lead and invited the nations for a conference in Chicago.This had led to the creation of an international body to regulate the international aviation. Among the agenda of the discussion and the subsequent agreements were:
- the sovereignty of the individual state.
- the exchange of the commercial rights leading to the developments of the documents "Freedom of the Air".
- Tariff and custom rights of the contracting states. The foreign aircraft has to land at the first port of landing at a "custom airport" where the immigration formality are carried out. With the European Union, the requirements are removed.
- The rules on taxation - There is no tax for fuel and oils and technical parts used on the aircraft.
- Marking and registration of aircraft - aircraft have to carry the national markings and the registration marking. Even how the markings to be displayed were agreed.
- Aircraft has to carry a list of documents - they are.. the certificate of airworthiness, crew licenses, load sheet, certificate of registration, radio license and aircraft log book.
The aviation law and regulations are enforced by the individual contracting states based on the agreed terms of the ICAO. There were a number of subsequent conferences that changes some of the terms and references.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
IMA Integrated Modular Avionics for Licensed Personnel
With the changes in the Easa Part 66 and 147, the three new technology modules are added. They are ATA 42, 45 and 46. In preparing for the modules, I am doing secondary research through the internet and later, to be enrolled in a course. One possible training provider is the Club 66.
1. OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the project is to prepare myself for the module ATA 42 - Integrated modular avionics
2. LITERATURE REVIEW.
a. Definition
Quoted (Philippa)..Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) is a blanket term used to describe a distributed real-time computer network aboard an aircraft. This network should consist of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing safety criticality levels.
Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_modular_avionics ) defined it as ...Integrated modular avionics (IMA) represent real-time computer network airborne systems. This network consists of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing criticality levels.
b. Historical Perspective
In the early 1980s, the avionics started to replace the mechanical functions in the commercial aircraft. (Henning Butz 20xx). In early 1990s, the classical concept of "1 function = 1 computer" can no longer be maintained, due to the increasing number of demands for the computers. Then the designers came out with concept of multiple software with different criticality level operated within a single processor. It did solve the weight and number of computers, but it had lead to the "transparent fault propagation", which affect the reliability and the maintenance cost.
In 1995, Honeywell introduced the concept of "IMA" on B777, featuring...
- modularized cabinet packaging with
- "time triggered back plane data communication" and
- "application progam interface" API
- strong "SW/SW" partitioning
- HW/SW segregation
- precise fault monitoring
The IMA had proven to meet the reliability and the required performance.
The development on A380, focused on the open system.
The followings are the features.
- maintain the segregation features and the API services
- the proprietary cabinets and backplane solution were replaced.
- Introduced CPIOM (core processor-input output module) usinf ARINC 600 standard box.
- Aircraft Full Duplex (AFDX) of 100Mbit connecting the CPIOM.
REFERENCES
- Philippa at http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~philippa/IMA.html on 26 Dec 2012
- Wiki at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_modular_avionics on 26 Dec 2012
1. OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the project is to prepare myself for the module ATA 42 - Integrated modular avionics
2. LITERATURE REVIEW.
a. Definition
Quoted (Philippa)..Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) is a blanket term used to describe a distributed real-time computer network aboard an aircraft. This network should consist of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing safety criticality levels.
Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_modular_avionics ) defined it as ...Integrated modular avionics (IMA) represent real-time computer network airborne systems. This network consists of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing criticality levels.
b. Historical Perspective
In the early 1980s, the avionics started to replace the mechanical functions in the commercial aircraft. (Henning Butz 20xx). In early 1990s, the classical concept of "1 function = 1 computer" can no longer be maintained, due to the increasing number of demands for the computers. Then the designers came out with concept of multiple software with different criticality level operated within a single processor. It did solve the weight and number of computers, but it had lead to the "transparent fault propagation", which affect the reliability and the maintenance cost.
In 1995, Honeywell introduced the concept of "IMA" on B777, featuring...
- modularized cabinet packaging with
- "time triggered back plane data communication" and
- "application progam interface" API
- strong "SW/SW" partitioning
- HW/SW segregation
- precise fault monitoring
The IMA had proven to meet the reliability and the required performance.
The development on A380, focused on the open system.
The followings are the features.
- maintain the segregation features and the API services
- the proprietary cabinets and backplane solution were replaced.
- Introduced CPIOM (core processor-input output module) usinf ARINC 600 standard box.
- Aircraft Full Duplex (AFDX) of 100Mbit connecting the CPIOM.
REFERENCES
- Philippa at http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~philippa/IMA.html on 26 Dec 2012
- Wiki at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_modular_avionics on 26 Dec 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
AC Motors - US Air Force Training Film
I was using this video for the teaching of AC motor. It was produces by the US Airforce in 1969, I have to accept that it is rather an old video, black and white, but it had the main advantage that is was designed for training of the airforce personnel. Some of the new videos are intended for marketing rather than training.
AC motors are widely used in industry as well as in aircraft. It varies in size from a miniature size to the huge units. There are many different types of AC motors, such synchronous, induction motors or hysteresis motors. The simplest and the most common type of motors is the induction motors. For that reason, the video concentrates on this motor.
A: Construction of Induction Motors.
It consists of three separate parts:
- end bell - at both end of the rotor and it consists of bearing assembly.
- the housing that contain the stator fields
- the rotor.
Because of it simplicity, it is easier to construct and robust.
B. Principle of operation
a. to demonstrate the principle, a simple gadget was designed with represent the rotating magnetic fields and the rotor. The field is spinned by hand and rotor will follow the rotating fields.
b.A model of rotating field and the rotor is shown proving the operation.
c. The production of rotating field - A good simple model was build to physically demonstrate the production of rotating field. Even two phases of 90degrees apart, the rotating field can be produced.
d. The production of electro-magnet in the rotor.
The rotor consists of wire conductors joint at the end by metal conductors. As there are the changing rotating magnetic field, current will flow in the rotor and produce magnet field.
Note: Requirement for the production of induction: conductor, magnetic field and relative motion.
AC motors are widely used in industry as well as in aircraft. It varies in size from a miniature size to the huge units. There are many different types of AC motors, such synchronous, induction motors or hysteresis motors. The simplest and the most common type of motors is the induction motors. For that reason, the video concentrates on this motor.
A: Construction of Induction Motors.
It consists of three separate parts:
- end bell - at both end of the rotor and it consists of bearing assembly.
- the housing that contain the stator fields
- the rotor.
Because of it simplicity, it is easier to construct and robust.
B. Principle of operation
a. to demonstrate the principle, a simple gadget was designed with represent the rotating magnetic fields and the rotor. The field is spinned by hand and rotor will follow the rotating fields.
b.A model of rotating field and the rotor is shown proving the operation.
c. The production of rotating field - A good simple model was build to physically demonstrate the production of rotating field. Even two phases of 90degrees apart, the rotating field can be produced.
d. The production of electro-magnet in the rotor.
The rotor consists of wire conductors joint at the end by metal conductors. As there are the changing rotating magnetic field, current will flow in the rotor and produce magnet field.
Note: Requirement for the production of induction: conductor, magnetic field and relative motion.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Malaysia e-Examination
I was reading with interest that the Malaysia Civil Aviation will be conducting e-examination for Category A, B1 and B2. The present manual examination will end in Dec 2012 and the registration for the e-examination will be opened in Jan 2013.
The applicants for manual examinations for 2013 will be cancelled and all applicants will have to reapply online. This reapplication is necessary as the new system will be fully online and all applicants will have to create their own profile in the DCA data base.
The applicants will be able to do the followings:
1. create a user account.
2. View the schedules/ sessions
3. Apply for the exam.
4.Pay for the exam.
5. Print the exam slip
6. Sit for the exam at the center.
7. View the result and print the result and the Knowledge deficiency report.
8. Update the personal data.
I am looking forwards to using the facilities for my students, but the am hoping the original plan of examination centers would still be implemented to facilitate development of local capability.
The applicants for manual examinations for 2013 will be cancelled and all applicants will have to reapply online. This reapplication is necessary as the new system will be fully online and all applicants will have to create their own profile in the DCA data base.
1. create a user account.
2. View the schedules/ sessions
3. Apply for the exam.
4.Pay for the exam.
5. Print the exam slip
6. Sit for the exam at the center.
7. View the result and print the result and the Knowledge deficiency report.
8. Update the personal data.
I am looking forwards to using the facilities for my students, but the am hoping the original plan of examination centers would still be implemented to facilitate development of local capability.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Fly By Wire - Introduction
The utilization of the concept fly by wire had been widely used in the military aircraft. The use in civil aircraft has started to gain popularity.
When we mention "fly by wire", it would mean that the pilot is controlling the aircraft through the wire connections. To explain this concept, we need to understand how the aircraft were controlled before "fly by wire" technology was used.
1. The Changing Methods to move the Flight Control.
a. Direct Mechanical link control column to the control surfaces- The earlier aircraft were small.The forces acting on the flight control surfaces, like ailerons, elevator and rudder was small too.So the pilot can manually move the surface through a mechanical connection. The control surfaces were mechanically connected through bell cranks, levers, pulleys and mechanical cables to the control column or steering wheels.
b. Assisted Control
The aileron is controlled by the tab. The movement of the control column to left or right, through mechanical linkages and cable, moves the control tab. The aileron will move in the opposite direction to the tab.
c. Powered Control
Typical example from B737
Take note that the control column transmit the signal to aileron power control unit through a mechanical linkages.
d. Fly by wire (by electrical signal)
2. Factors Leading to Why Fly By Wire.
a. There are a number of reasons why the shift from the mechanical control to the electrical control. With the advance in the technology, majority of the aircraft systems are operated using digital technology. The technology is now available to support the fly by wire and it meets the requirement of the safety and redundancy.
b. The second factor is the sheer size of the aircraft, making the mechanical linkages and cable to complex and heavy. Any additional weight will be an additional cost to the fuel bill.
3. Advantages of Fly by wire system.
a. There is an overall reduction in weight, the lesser the airframe weight, the bigger will be the payload.
b. It makes the Integration of several federated systems into a single system easier.
c. It provide a superior handling. In fact the handling characteristics can be modified and controlled. This had the added advantages in the pilots training.
d. ease of maintenance, the rigging is much simplifies. The troubleshooting is more focused on the LRUs and BITE checks.
This conclude the introduction of fly by wire. The next postings will focus on the systems installed on A320 and Boeing 777.
When we mention "fly by wire", it would mean that the pilot is controlling the aircraft through the wire connections. To explain this concept, we need to understand how the aircraft were controlled before "fly by wire" technology was used.
1. The Changing Methods to move the Flight Control.
a. Direct Mechanical link control column to the control surfaces- The earlier aircraft were small.The forces acting on the flight control surfaces, like ailerons, elevator and rudder was small too.So the pilot can manually move the surface through a mechanical connection. The control surfaces were mechanically connected through bell cranks, levers, pulleys and mechanical cables to the control column or steering wheels.
b. Assisted Control
 |
| Images from FAA AMT manual- |
c. Powered Control
Typical example from B737
Take note that the control column transmit the signal to aileron power control unit through a mechanical linkages.
d. Fly by wire (by electrical signal)
2. Factors Leading to Why Fly By Wire.
a. There are a number of reasons why the shift from the mechanical control to the electrical control. With the advance in the technology, majority of the aircraft systems are operated using digital technology. The technology is now available to support the fly by wire and it meets the requirement of the safety and redundancy.
b. The second factor is the sheer size of the aircraft, making the mechanical linkages and cable to complex and heavy. Any additional weight will be an additional cost to the fuel bill.
3. Advantages of Fly by wire system.
a. There is an overall reduction in weight, the lesser the airframe weight, the bigger will be the payload.
b. It makes the Integration of several federated systems into a single system easier.
c. It provide a superior handling. In fact the handling characteristics can be modified and controlled. This had the added advantages in the pilots training.
d. ease of maintenance, the rigging is much simplifies. The troubleshooting is more focused on the LRUs and BITE checks.
This conclude the introduction of fly by wire. The next postings will focus on the systems installed on A320 and Boeing 777.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Module 3 17 AC Generator
The AC generator module is towards the end of module 3. Among the topics to covered under module 3.17 are:
A. Syllabus
1. The Rotation of loop in a magnetic field and waveform produced;
2. The Operation and construction of revolving armature and revolving field type AC generators;
3. Single phase, two phase and three phase alternators;
4. Three phase star and delta connections advantages and uses;
5. Permanent Magnet Generators
The knowledge level is level 2. That mean, it is expected the students to be able to....
- explain the principles/ theory and fundamental and the components or elements
- provides the typical examples.
- use the mathematical formulae when explaining and do the calculation.
- The applicant should be able to read and understand sketches, drawings and schematics describing the subject. This include the schematic symbols and wiring diagram
- The application of the knowledge, where it is used in the aircraft.
For level 3 include the integration with other systems.
B: Prior Knowledge
To understand the operation of an AC Generator, these prior knowledge are required.
- Faradays Law,
- Lenzs Law
- Flemings R/H rule
- Vector diagram, adding and subtracting vectors.
- angular velocity
VIDEO 3.17
A. Syllabus
1. The Rotation of loop in a magnetic field and waveform produced;
2. The Operation and construction of revolving armature and revolving field type AC generators;
3. Single phase, two phase and three phase alternators;
4. Three phase star and delta connections advantages and uses;
5. Permanent Magnet Generators
The knowledge level is level 2. That mean, it is expected the students to be able to....
- explain the principles/ theory and fundamental and the components or elements
- provides the typical examples.
- use the mathematical formulae when explaining and do the calculation.
- The applicant should be able to read and understand sketches, drawings and schematics describing the subject. This include the schematic symbols and wiring diagram
- The application of the knowledge, where it is used in the aircraft.
For level 3 include the integration with other systems.
B: Prior Knowledge
To understand the operation of an AC Generator, these prior knowledge are required.
- Faradays Law,
- Lenzs Law
- Flemings R/H rule
- Vector diagram, adding and subtracting vectors.
- angular velocity
VIDEO 3.17
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