Challenger 300 AFCS - AP
Challenger 300 AFCS - AP
AUTOPILOT
DESCRIPTION
The Challenger 300 his equipped with a three axis digital fail-passive autopilot. Autopilot servos provide command inputs
to the ailerons and elevators. The rudder is controlled by the yaw damper system. The coupled flight guidance computer
provides the flight guidance signals to drive the servos. Both flight guidance computers must be operational for the auto-
pilot to function.
Upon occurrence of any single failure, the autopilot will not:
- Cause significant displacement of the aircraft from its approach path or altitude loss below the nominal glide path
- (Upon system disconnection) Involve any out-of-trim condition not easily controlled by the pilot
- Cause any action to occur with the flight control system that is not readily apparent to the pilot, either by control
column movement or advisory display
The automatic flight-control system (AFCS) consists of dual-independent flight directors, a three axis autopilot, and auto-
matic pitch trim and yaw damper system.
The AFCS operates with the integrated-avionics processor system (IAPS). The IAPS collects the data for the avionics sys-
tems. The AFCS gives the course, heading, and preselected altitude data to the electronic flight instrument system (EFIS).
The AFCS calculates the vertical and lateral flight-guidance commands to keep the aircraft on the correct pitch/roll attitude.
The flight directors show the flight-guidance commands on the primary flight displays.
ENGAGEMENT PARAMETERS
The autopilot can be engaged using the AP switch on the FGP, if the following conditions exist:
- Yaw damper is operable
- Both flight guidance computers (FGCs) are serviceable
- At least one channel of the horizontal stabilizer trim is engaged and the FCCs detect no faults with the horizontal
stabilizer trim system
- No significant instability of the aircraft exists
COMPONENTS AND OPERATION
AUTOPILOT ENGAGEMENT
The autopilot is engaged by pressing the AP switch located on the flight guidance panel. When the autopilot is engaged,
both channels of the autopilot are coupled to the onside flight guidance computer. Autopilot engagement is indicated on the
PFD by a green AP indication.
Pressing the AP switch on the FGP when the autopilot is engaged will cause the autopilot to disengage.
AUTOPILOT SERVO MOTORS
When the autopilot is engaged, the controlling FGC directs pitch and roll commands to the aileron and elevator servos.
When a change in roll or pitch attitude is required, the FGC signals the aileron servo or elevator servo to bias the control
cables to move the associated control surface.
The aileron servo is located on the control cable run for the right aileron. Since the left and right ailerons are normally in-
terconnected, the servo is capable of moving both ailerons. The elevator servo is located in the left elevator cable run. The
servo moves both elevators when the elevators are interconnected.
When an out-of-trim condition is sensed in the pitch axis, the FGC signals the horizontal stabilizer trim control unit to re-
position the horizontal stabilizer.
Volume 2
04-01-22
L-GPBUS-5 (HS)
L-AHC-4
A-SPC-2
A-SPC-1
NDRM TRIM AVAILABLE
AP TRIM ENABLE
FCU-2
L DCP FCU TO RDC
L-ADC-6 FCU-1
L-GPBUS-5 (HS)
AUTOPILOT (Cont)
L-MFD-1(HS) L-IOC-3
FGP-1 (RS-422) SPC
L-PFD-1(HS) L-FGC-3 A-SPC-2
L AFD L-FGC-2 (RS-422)
L-IOC-1(HS) A-SPC-1 CH
A
A-DCU-1(HS)
STALL WARN
SVO
L ELEVATOR DUAL RVDT (A) DISCON
SURFACE POS (B)
CH PILOT'S PITCH
L AILERON DUAL RVDT (A) A PRIMARY PITCH DISCONNECT
SURFACE POS (B) PRIMARY ROLL (HANDLE ON
PRIMARY YAW THROTTLE)
RUDDER DUAL RVDT (A) DCU
SURFACE POS (B) ICC AP DISC SW A
R AILERON YD TO/GA SW A
SINGLE RVDT
SURFACE POS SVO AP/FD SYNC SW A
FGP THROTTLE
PRIMARY PITCH
R ELEVATOR QUAD/
SINGLE RVDT
PRIMARY ROLL
SURFACE POS CONTROL
CH PRIMARY YAW AP DISC SW B
TO/GA SW B WHEEL
B
AP/FD SYNC SW B
PILOT CONTROL
LVDT (ANALOG) PILOT'S ROLL
WHEEL FORCE B-DCU-1(HS) SVO
R IOC R-IOC-3 R FGC DISCONNECT
PILOT RUDDER R-MFD-1(HS)
LVDT (ANALOG) (HANDLE ON
PEDAL FORCE R-FCC-1
R-PFD-1(HS) R-FGC-2 (RS-422) CONTROL WHEEL)
R AFD
COPILOT RUDDER R-IOC-1(HS)
LVDT (ANALOG) FGP-2 (RS-422)
PEDAL FORCE STALL WARN DISCONNECT
R-GPBUS-5 (HS) SPC
COPILOT CONTROL
LVDT (ANALOG) CH
WHEEL FORCE B-SPC-1
CSP 100-6
B
A-RDC-1/2
A-RDC-5
R-ADC-1
B-RDC-1/2
R-AHC-1 (HS)
B-RDC-5 R DCP
R AHC R ADC
TO DCU
RDC R-AHC-4
STAB 2 POSITION
HSTECU HSTECU
SECONDARY
(COMMAND) (MONITOR)
RELAY
1 2 1 2
PRI/OFF/SEC
SWITCH
20
AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM
REV 2
May 06/2005
AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM
AUTOPILOT (Cont)
OUT-OF-TRIM INDICATIONS
The FGC continuously monitors all three axes of the autopilot when it is engaged. If a control surface is detected to be
significantly out of trim, a CAS caution message is displayed. The amber CAS message identifies whether it is the aileron
or elevator that is affected and in which direction the control surface is out of trim.
MASTER DISCONNECT SWITCH
The master disconnect switches are installed on the outboard horn of each control wheel. When the switches are pressed
with the autopilot engaged, the PFD red flashing AP indication appears and the autopilot audio warning sounds for approx-
imately 1 1/2 seconds.
If a system fault causes the autopilot to disengage, pressing either master disconnect switches will cancel the red flashing
AP message and silence the aural warning.
AUTOPILOT AND YAW DAMPER DISCONNECT LEVER
Pressing the AP/YD DISC lever down disengages the autopilot and yaw damper simultaneously. With the autopilot en-
gaged and the disconnect switch pressed down, a flashing red AP message appears on the PFD and the autopilot audio
warning sounds for approximately 1 1/2 seconds.
A red line is visible on the top edge of the switch when the switch has been moved to the disengage position.
AUTOPILOT DISENGAGEMENT
When the autopilot is manually disengaged, the AP symbols on each PFD flash red and an aural warning sounds
for approximately 1 1/2 seconds.
The autopilot can be manually disengaged by:
- Pressing either master disconnect push button on the control wheels
- Activating the stab trim switches on the control wheels
- Pressing the AP push button on the FGP
- Selecting the AP/YD DISC on the FGP
- Pressing either TOGA switch
- Pressing the YD push button
If a system fault causes the autopilot to automatically disengage, the pilot must press the control wheel master disconnect
switch to cancel the red flashing AP message and silence the aural warning. If the autopilot warning sounds because the
TOGA switch is selected, a second press of the TOGA switch clears the warnings.
The autopilot automatically disengages upon stall warning.
AUTOPILOT TAKEOFF CONFIGURATION WARNING
If a takeoff is attempted with the autopilot on, the takeoff configuration warning system presents an EICAS warning mes-
sage and sounds an voice alert. The warning sounds when the thrust lever is advanced for takeoff.
YAW DAMPER
DESCRIPTION
The yaw damper provides automatic turn coordination and yaw oscillation damping. The yaw damper actuator is a mechan-
ically limited linear actuator.
Yaw damping improves the aircraft’s stability by damping out oscillations in yaw. These oscillations, if not corrected leads
to the phenomenon called dutch roll.
The turn coordination function helps the aircraft into and out of turns. The flight guidance computers (FGCs) provide sig-
nals to operate the yaw damper actuators.
The AP/YD DISC switch, YD switch and control wheel disconnect switches will disengage the yaw damper. When a yaw
damper channel fails or disconnects, the amber YAW DAMPER FAIL CAS message is displayed.
CFO0401002_ 001
CRS HDG SPEED ALT AP/YD DISC CRS
L
IA
DI S DI
H
T AN
CE T
C
R EC SY N C /M
AC R EC
UP
TRANSPONDER
ID SWITCH
MICROPHONE (LOCATED BEHIND)
INPH SWITCH
TX (LOCATED ID
BEHIND)
CFO0101002_009
ROLL AP YD PITCH
ALTS
20
10
10
20
EV 5
PFD MESSAGES
The following indications are presented on the PFD. A brief explanation of each indication is provided.
EICAS MESSAGES
The autoflight control system messages are shown on the EICAS. In the table below, the AFCS messages, inhibits and aural
warnings are listed. A brief explanation of each message is provided.
AURAL
MESSAGE INHIBITS MEANING WARNING
CONFIG AILERON
TRIM The aircraft is on the ground and the takeoff
CONFIG AUTOPILOT parameters (autopilot, flaps, spoilers, and
CONFIG FLAPS trims in any axis) are not properly config-
TO YES
CONFIG RUDDER ured for takeoff. Illumination of the respec-
TRIM tive red CAS will be accompanied by the
CONFIG SPOILERS takeoff “CONFIGURATION“ voice warning
CONFIG STAB TRIM
AP HOLDING LWD
AP HOLDING RWD
AP HOLDING NOSE The autopilot is holding control force in the
TO
DOWN direction indicated
AP HOLDING NOSE
UP
EICAS MESSAGES
The autoflight control system messages are shown on the EICAS. In the table below, the AFCS messages, inhibits and aural
warnings are listed. A brief explanation of each message is provided.
AURAL
MESSAGE INHIBITS MEANING WARNING
CONFIG AILERON
TRIM The aircraft is on the ground and the takeoff
CONFIG AUTOPILOT parameters (autopilot, flaps, spoilers, and
CONFIG FLAPS trims in any axis) are not properly config-
TO YES
CONFIG RUDDER ured for takeoff. Illumination of the respec-
TRIM tive red CAS will be accompanied by the
CONFIG SPOILERS takeoff “CONFIGURATION“ voice warning
CONFIG STAB TRIM
AP HOLDING LWD
AP HOLDING RWD
AP HOLDING NOSE The autopilot is holding control force in the
TO
DOWN direction indicated
AP HOLDING NOSE
UP