Module 6 11 Quiz aircraft electrical material and hardware

Module 6 is on materials and hardware. The topic number 11 is about electrical cables and connectors. Among the subjects covered are...

a. Cables types, construction and characteristics
b. High tension and coaxial cable
c. Connectors types, plugs and receptacles, pins and sockets, identification codes, couplings
d. insulators
e. Current rating
The term cable and wires are used interchangeably to mean the electrical wires.

On completion of the course, I normally gave some quiz. These are the example of the close book quiz...

1. What is/are the characteristics of airframe cable?

2. Why the wire in bundle and protective conduit carries less current compared to the cable in free air?

3. what is the method used to reduce intercable interference in a ribbon cable.

4. What is the different between fire resistance and fire proof cables?.

5. What is the material commonly used a the screen in "screened" cable?

6.  What is the range of AWG size of cable used in an aircraft?

7. Name 3 disadvantage of aluminium wires and how does it effect its installation.

8. Silver plating has 2 disadvantages, what are thy?

9. Name the plating used for general aircraft wiring and the high temp cable.

10. PVC is a good insulator, but it has disadvantage, what is it?

The DCAM  and EASA had set the number of questions for module 6, inclusive of part 11. It is give in the AN1101 appendix 2.

For category
A 52 questions.
B1 - 72
B2 - 60

Further questions..

Bonus Question... The high tension cable can carry voltage up to 12,000 volts. Explain the construction of wire suited for this.

11. What are the insulators used for Nyvin wire?

12. What the most suitable wires used for general purpose wiring on a turbine engine?

13. Give example and explain the meaning of the wiring code used for circuit identification.

14. What is the common information found in the circuit and cable identification (marking).

15. what are the methods used to mark the cable and circuit markings?

More questions may be generated from module 6 11.  In preparing for the module, please remember the syllabus. For example.. cable type. construction and characteristics and I would related to the application. example...

16. What type of wires are suitable to be used in hydraulic contaminated area, how the wire is constructed and what are its characteristics.

17. Draw the structure of the end terminal lug and inline splice and name the parts. Which part hold and crimp the conductors.

18.Draw the coaxial cable and name the part. Which part hold the (BNC) connector?.

19. What are the precaution to be taken to prevent the galvanic corrosion?

20. What are the size range of the AWG wire that can be connected to the yellow inline splice (smaller yellow)?

21. Draw a connector assy, give the names and  function of each of the part.

22. State the 3 type of coupling and explain how to connect them.

23. state the two type of pins/socket and explain how to install and remove the pins.

24. Give example of part number of a connector and and the break down meaning of the numbers.

25. Looking at the face of a connector plug with 12 pins,  draw the pins, the marked line guide and the parenthesis if any.

ATA 45 - Onboard Maintenance System

The aircraft have advanced tremendously. A system is now installed to support the maintenance works on the aircraft. Most will have the following subsystem:
- Central Maintenance System
- Aircraft Condition Monitoring
- Data Loading and Configuration

The authority like EASA has moved in the same path to include the topic for licensing modules. Enclosed are the syllabus:


12.18 On Board Maintenance Systems (ATA45)  Level 2
Central Maintenance Computers;
Data loading systems;
Electronic library system; Printing;
Structure monitoring (damage tolerance monitoring



I include the following extract from A380 pilot's briefing note...

Understanding Computer

 The module 5.6 is about Basic Computer Structure

5.6 Basic Computer Structure (Level 2)
(a) Computer terminology (including bit, byte, software, hardware, CPU, IC, & various memory devices such as RAM, ROM, PROM);
Computer technology (as applied in aircraft systems).

(b) Computer related terminology; ( not include for B1 - Level 2 for B2)
Operation, layout and interface of the major components in a micro computer including their associated bus systems;
Information contained in single and multi address instruction words;
Memory associated terms; Operation of typical memory devices;
Operation, advantages and disadvantages of the various data storage systems.


A Youtube video for your review

Introduction to Module 11.21 Information System

To introduce the subject, I would like to use the Flight Crew briefing used for A380.
There are basically 3 main groups of users:
- the maintenance personels
- flight crews
- cabin crews.

As the name indicates, these are information systems. It should not have a direct link to the aircraft systems.

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ATA 46 - Information System Syllabus

The modern digital aircraft are fitted with Information Systems. For the purpose of licensing, the ATA 46 is included in

A.  Module 11. 21.

The breakdown of the content is given below... Level 1 for Category A and Level 2 for Category B1
The units and components which furnish a means of storing, updating and retrieving digital information traditionally provide on paper, microfilm or microfiche. Includes units that are dedicated to the information storage and retrieval function such as the electronic library mass storage and controller. Does not include units or components installed for other uses and shared with other systems, such as flight deck printer or general use display.

1. Typical example include Air Traffic and Information Management System and Network Server Systems
2. Aircraft General Information Systems;
3. Flight Deck Information System;
4. Maintenance Information System;
5. Passenger Cabin Information System;
6. Miscellaneous Information System;

B Module 12.

12.19 Information Systems (ATA46). Level 1 for Cat A and 2 for Cat B1.
You will notice the similar syllabus for both.
The units and components which furnish a means of storing, updating and retrieving digital information traditionally provide on paper, microfilm or microfiche. Includes units that are dedicated to the information storage and retrieval function such as the electronic library mass storage and controller. Does not include units or components installed for other uses and shared with other systems, such as flight deck printer or general use display
Typical example include Air Traffic and Information Management System and Network Server Systems
Aircraft General Information Systems;
Flight Deck Information System;
Maintenance Information System;
Passenger Cabin Information System;
Miscellaneous Information System;

Gyro - Directional and Turn and Bank

The understand of how the traditional gyro works is important to understand how instruments work. This video explains the two basic property of mechanical gyro, rigidity and precision.

The property of rigidity is used in the directional gyro ( and ADI), Notice that the axis of rotation is horizontal, so the rigidity is in the horizontal plan. If you move in vertical plane, aircraft nose up or down, there is no effect.
The turn and bank is using the property of precession. If a force is applied to the rotating mass, directly or indirectly, the force is taken 90 degree in the direction of rotation.When the aircraft turn, the force it applied through the axis of the gyro and transmitted to the rotating mass. Take note that the axis of the gyro is "Y" axis.

 the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License;

History of Helicopter

This is a good video, giving the history from the initial concept and the development of helicopter.