As a pilot, you need to monitor and troubleshoot various aircraft systems during your flight. But how can you diagnose problems in real-time, without compromising safety or performance? In this article, we'll show you some tips and tools to help you identify and resolve issues with your engine, electrical, hydraulic, fuel, and navigation systems.
Your engine system is vital for generating thrust and power for your aircraft. To diagnose problems with your engine, you need to check the engine instruments, such as the manifold pressure, RPM, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel flow, and EGT. These indicators can alert you to abnormal conditions, such as overheat, low pressure, or fuel starvation. You also need to listen for any unusual sounds, such as knocking, backfiring, or vibration. If you detect any signs of engine trouble, you should follow the emergency checklist, reduce power, and look for a suitable landing site.
Engine systems diagnostics in real-time involves advanced sensors collecting data on various parameters like temperature, pressure, and performance indicators. Utilizing predictive analytics and AI algorithms, anomalies are detected by comparing real-time data with predefined models of normal behavior. This allows for swift identification of issues such as component degradation or malfunctions. Continuous monitoring and analysis enable proactive maintenance, minimizing downtime, optimizing performance, and ensuring flight safety.
An in flight issue would warrant the use of an organization’s “Quick Reference Handbook” or stated equivalent. I tend to repair and troubleshoot on the ground, although a good consideration for real time troubleshooting is to attempt physical and/or visual confirmation of abnormal readings if at all possible. I can think of 2 separate instances regarding fleet wide engine upgrades to higher bypass engines that resulted in dangerously high vibration readings being reported in the cockpit causing alarm among the flight crew. Both fixes were composed of minor wiring harness repairs which halted the issue of a shorting wire giving false readings. In the event of a potential faulty sensor, a good backup plan is another method of verification.
O princípio do funcionamento, indica??es, alertas e caracteristicas é básico, a pesquisa de falhas n?o exatamente como descrito, vai variar e depender do tipo de motor e tecnologia aplicadas nós variados modelos e fabricantes. Atualmente os avioes modernos se homologados para voo ETOPS (Extended Twin Engine Operations), quando apresentam sinais de problemas que ultrapassem as condi??es mínimas de opera??o de um dos motores, conseguem prosseguir com o v?o seguramente por um período de tempo que pode variar entre 60/120/180/300 e 370 minutos com apenas um dos motores. Para que isso ocorra, s?o necessários requisitos mínimos para a tripula??o e equipamento.
Your electrical system provides power for your avionics, lights, and other devices. To diagnose problems with your electrical system, you need to check the ammeter, voltmeter, circuit breakers, and warning lights. These instruments can tell you if your battery, alternator, or generator is malfunctioning, or if there is a short circuit, overload, or voltage fluctuation. You also need to monitor the load on your electrical system, and avoid using non-essential equipment. If you experience an electrical failure, you should follow the emergency checklist, switch to the backup battery, and reset the circuit breakers.
O descri??o do sistema elétrico apresentada é o básico operacional. Hoje nos avi?es modernos e de longo curso, o sistema elétrico em voo recebeu inúmeros automatismos que monitoram,suprem e mostram as necessidades em caso de falha. Alimenta??o elétrica está baseads nos geradores instalados nos motores, em caso de falha de um ou mais destes geradores, o avi?o que possui instalado um sistema auxiliar de for?a chamado APU (Auxiliary Power Unit), pode usar o gerador da APU para auxiliar na gera??o eletrica. Um sistema auxiliar de gera??o eletrica, supre o sistema no caso de colapso total dos geradores, motores, APU e baterias, demoninado RAT(Ram Air Turbine) este sistema é uma turbina de for?a eólica que supre o sistema elétrico em emergencia.
Your hydraulic system operates your landing gear, brakes, flaps, and other controls. To diagnose problems with your hydraulic system, you need to check the hydraulic pressure gauge, the reservoir level, and the warning lights. These indicators can warn you of a leak, a blockage, or a pump failure. You also need to feel for any changes in the resistance or feedback of your controls. If you encounter a hydraulic problem, you should follow the emergency checklist, use the emergency extension system, and apply manual pressure.
O descri??o do sistema hidraulico apresentada é o básico operacional. Hoje nos avi?es modernos e de longo curso, o sistema hidráulico recebeu inúmeros automatismos que monitoram,suprem e mostram as necessidades em caso de falha. Alimenta??o hidraulica está baseada nas bombas instaladas nos motores, bombas elétricas e quando instaladas a bomba acionada pneumaticamente ADP( Air Drive Pump). Em caso de falha total do sistema de alimenta??o hidraulica, um sistema auxiliar chamado RAT(Ram Air Turbine) com for?a eólica supre o sistema hidraulico em emergencia, mantendo os sistemas hidraulicos mínimos em funcionamento.
Your fuel system supplies fuel to your engine and maintains the balance and weight of your aircraft. To diagnose problems with your fuel system, you need to check the fuel quantity gauge, the fuel selector valve, the fuel pressure gauge, and the fuel filter. These instruments can alert you to a low fuel level, a contaminated fuel, a fuel pump failure, or a fuel line obstruction. You also need to watch for any signs of carburetor icing, vapor lock, or fuel starvation. If you face a fuel problem, you should follow the emergency checklist, switch tanks, use the primer or boost pump, and apply carburetor heat.
O descri??o do sistema de combustivel apresentada é o básico operacional e dos motores convencionais. Hoje nos avi?es narrow e wide body, o sistema de combustivel recebeu inúmeros automatismos que monitoram, suprem e mostram as necessidades em caso de falha. Alimenta??o de combustível para o motor e APU é suprido de forma primária pelas bombas instaladas nos motores e APU, assistidas por bombas elétricas localizadas dentro dos tanques de combustivel. No caso de falha das bombas elétricas nos tanques de combustivel as bombas dos motores s?o capazes de suprir os motores. Combustível também é usado para auxiliar no balanceamento do avi?o nas primeiras fazes do v?o. O combustível encontra-se nestas fases também no estabilizador horizontal.
Your navigation system helps you determine your position, direction, speed, and altitude. To diagnose problems with your navigation system, you need to check the magnetic compass, the airspeed indicator, the altimeter, the attitude indicator, and the GPS. These instruments can inform you of a deviation, an error, a malfunction, or a loss of signal. You also need to cross-check your navigation data with other sources, such as radio aids, landmarks, or maps. If you suffer a navigation problem, you should follow the emergency checklist, use the backup instruments, and contact the ATC.
O descri??o do sistema de navegacao apresentado é o básico operacional. Hoje nos avi?es modernos e de longo curso, o sistema de navega?ao recebeu inúmeros automatismos que monitoram, suprem e mostram as necessidades em caso de falha. A navega??o é feita com o auxílio do FMS (Flight Manegement System) composto por quatro subsistemas: - FMC(Flight Management Computer), - AFS (Auto Flight System), - Navigation System; Este sistema inclui o IRS (Inertial Reference System)e o GPS (Global Positioning System) - EFIS( Electronic Flight Instrument System). A bússola ainda é usada junto com as cartas de navega??o como último recurso no caso de falha total do sistema eletr?nico de navega??o.
I often start with challenging the on board maintenance computer for relevant fault codes. I then refer to the FIM and take it from there. It’s best to start on the simple things before progressing to expensive parts replacement. The FIMs are not always the answer but there is a reason they exist and a lot of real world experience and technical man power goes into creating and updating them. It’s also valuable to reach out to the OEM after successfully troubleshooting a fault for their data pool to further develop the knowledge base that goes into these technical documents.