Flight Director Systems

FLIGHT DIRECTOR SYSTEMS
Definition
• In aviation, a flight director (FD) is a
flight instrument that is overlaid on the
attitude indicator that shows the pilot
of an aircraft the attitude required to
follow a certain trajectory to which the
flight is to be conducted. A trajectory is
the path of an object through space.
 The fight director command bar signals the pilot how to steer the aircraft for a
maneuver. By flying the aircraft so the triangular airplane symbol fits into the
command bar, the pilot performs the maneuver calculated by the flight director.
The instrument shown on the left is commanding a climb while the airplane is
flying straight and level. The instrument on the right shows that the pilot has
accomplished the maneuver
Description
• The flight director computes and displays the proper
pitch and bank angles required for the aircraft to
follow a selected flight path.
• A simple example: The aircraft flies level on 045°
heading at flight level FL 150 at 260 kt (knot) indicated
airspeed, the FD bars are thus centered. Then the
flight director is set to heading 090° and a new flight
level FL200. The aircraft must thus turn to the right
and climb.
• This is done by banking to the right while climbing.
The roll bar will deflect to the right and the pitch bar
will deflect upwards. The pilot will then pull back on
the control column while banking to the right.
 A flight director system is an instrument system
consisting of electronic components that compute
and indicate the aircraft attitude required to attain
and maintain a preselected flight condition.
 A command bar on the aircraft’s attitude indicator
shows the pilot how much and in what direction the
attitude of the aircraft must be changed to achieve
the desired result.
 The computed command indications relieve the
pilot of many of the mental calculations required for
instrument flights, such as interception angles, wind
drift correction, and rates of climb and descent.
 Essentially, a flight director system is an
autopilot system without the servos. All of the
same sensing and computations are made, but
the pilot controls the airplane and makes
maneuvers by following the commands
displayed on the instrument panel.
 Flight director systems can be part of an
autopilot system or exist on aircraft that do not
possess full autopilot systems. Many autopilot
systems allow for the option of engaging or
disengaging a flight director display.
 Flight director information is displayed on the instrument
that displays the aircraft’s attitude.
 The process is accomplished with a visual reference
technique. A symbol representing the aircraft is fit into a
command bar positioned by the flight director in the
proper location for a maneuver to be accomplished.
 The instrument that displays the flight director commands
is known as a flight director indicator (FDI), attitude
director indicator (ADI), or electronic attitude director
indicator (EADI).
 It may even be referred to as an artificial horizon with
flight director. This display element combines with the
other primary components of the flight director system.
Like an autopilot, these consist of the sensing elements, a
computer, and an interface panel.
• Integration of navigation features into the attitude indicator is
highly useful.
• The pilot selects a desired course and the flight director displays
the bank attitude necessary to intercept and maintain this course.
Allocations for wind drift and calculation of the intercept angle is
performed automatically.
• Flight director systems vary in complexity and features. Many have
altitude hold, altitude select, pitch hold, and other features. But
flight director systems are designed to offer the greatest assistance
during the instrument approach phase of flight.
• ILS localizer and glideslope signals are transmitted through the
receivers to the computer and are presented as command
indications. This allows the pilot to fly the airplane down the
optimum approach path to the runway using the flight director
system.
 With the altitude hold function engaged, level flight
can be maintained during the maneuvering and
procedure turn phase of an approach.
 Altitude hold automatically disengages when the
glideslope is intercepted. Once inbound on the
localizer, the command signals of the flight director
are maintained in a centered or zero condition.
 Interception of the glide slope causes a downward
indication of the command pitch indicator.
 Any deviation from the proper glide slope path
causes a fly-up or fly-down command indication.
 The pilot needs only to keep the airplane symbol fit
into the command bar.
TYPICAL DIRECTOR DICATOR DIGPLAYS This appendix contains photographic examples of modern
flight director indicators evolved by four manufacturers; Bendix, Collins, Lear, and Sperry. They
each contain the same status information but some what different flight director command
.
indications, warning flags, and annunciator light

Flight Director Systems

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Flight Director Systems

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Flight Director Systems

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FLIGHT DIRECTOR SYSTEMS

You might also like