AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM (AFCS)

Presented by CW3 Martin Dadswell

 PURPOSE: To develop the Student Instructor Pilots understanding of the Automatic Flight Control System

NEED: You will be instructing this subject in the near future

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
Auto Flight Control System What is Stability? Stability Augmentation System TRIM Flight Path Stabilization Malfunction Analysis

WHAT IS AFCS?
AFCS enhances the stability and handling qualities of the UH60 helicopter. It is comprised of four subsystems:
Stability Augmentation System (SAS) Trim Systems Flight Path Stabilization (FPS) Stabilator (previously discussed)

WHAT IS STABILITY?
Create a cool drawing on the dry erase board at this time.

 Stability, in physics and engineering, the property of a body that causes it to return to its original position or motion as a result of the action of the socalled restoring forces, or torques, once the body has been disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion.

STABILITY AUGMENTATION SYSTEM (SAS)

Purpose: Provide dynamic stability through short term rate dampening in the pitch, roll, and yaw axis. SAS systems: SAS 1 & SAS 2 Control Authority: Each SAS has 5% control authority, for a total of 10%

SAS 1
Components:
SAS1 amplifier (analog) is located in the avionics compartment Three SAS actuators

Input Signals:
Pitch - rate gyro in the #1 stabilator amplifier Roll - pilots (number 2) vertical gyro Yaw - yaw rate gyro in the SAS1 amplifier additional signals - #1 filtered lateral accelerometer, airspeed transducer

Yaw gyro

#1 pitch rate gyro #2 vertical gyro #1 lateral accl a/s transducer

SAS 2
Components:
SAS2 is the SAS/FPS computer (digital) Three SAS actuators

Input Signals:
Pitch - rate gyro in the #2 stabilator amplifier Roll - roll rate gyro in the avionics compartment Yaw - yaw rate gyro in the avionics compartment

SAS 2
Additional Signals
#1 & #2 filtered lateral accelerometer rate gyro in the #1 Stabilator amplifier air data transducer

#2 pitch rate gyro

Roll rate gyro Yaw rate gyro #1 & #2 lateral accl Air data transducer

TRIM SYSTEM
Purpose: Provide a gradient force, maintains position of the cyclic and tail rotor controls Components:
two electromechanical actuators, and one electrohydromechanical actuator TRIM REL switch on the cyclic, and pedal micro switches on the directional control pedals monitored by the SAS/FPS computer

TRIM SYSTEM
Slip Clutches
both the roll and yaw trim actuators incorporate slip clutches to allow the pilots to make control inputs should either actuator jam 13 pounds maximum in the roll 80 pounds maximum in the yaw

Airspeed transducer #1 collective position sensors

FLIGHT PATH STABILIZATION

Purpose: Enhances static stability through long term rate dampening in the pitch, roll, and yaw axis. Components: SAS/FPS computer, and three trim actuators Control Authority: When coupled with trim, 100% control authority

FLIGHT PATH STABILIZATION

The following systems must be on and operational for FPS to function 100%
SAS 1 and/or SAS 2 Boost Trim Stabilator in AUTO mode enhances FPS operation, but is not required

FLIGHT PATH STABILIZATION

FPS provides the following functions:

BELOW Attitude Hold Attitude Hold

60 KIAS

ABOVE

Pitch Axis Attitude Hold/ Airspeed Hold

Roll Axis

Attitude Hold
Heading Hold or Turn Coordination

Heading Hold Yaw Axis

Airspeed transducer #1 collective position sensor

#1 pitch rate gyro #1 vertical gyro #1 vertical gyro ASN 43 #1 lateral accl Airspeed transducer #1 collective position sensor

MALFUNCTION ANALYSIS

AUTO FLIGHT CONTROL

SAS 1 SAS 2 TRIM FPS

ON
BOOST

ON

ON
FAILURE
R E S E T

ON
ADVISORY
R E S E T

ON

POWER ON RESET

9.29.1

SAS Failure With No Failure/Advisory Indication.

SAS 1 switch - Off.

If condition persists:

SAS 1 switch - On. SAS 2 switch - Off.

If malfunction still persists:

SAS 1 and FPS switchs - Off.

AUTO FLIGHT CONTROL

SAS 1 SAS 2 TRIM FPS

ON
BOOST

ON

ON
FAILURE
R E S E T
SAS2

ON
ADVISORY
R E S E T

ON

POWER ON RESET

9.29.2

SAS2 Failure Advisory Light On.

Power On Reset switches - Simultaneously press and then release.

SAS OFF

AUTO FLIGHT CONTROL

SAS 1 SAS 2 TRIM FPS

ON
BOOST

ON

ON
FAILURE
R E S E T

ON
ADVISORY
R E S E T

ON

POWER ON RESET

9.29.3

SAS OFF Caution Light On.

FPS switch - Off.

SAS OFF

AUTO FLIGHT CONTROL

SAS 1 SAS 2 TRIM FPS

ON
BOOST

ON

ON
FAILURE
R E S E T

ON
ADVISORY
R E S E T

ON

POWER ON RESET

FLT PATH STAB

AUTO FLIGHT CONTROL

SAS 1 SAS 2 TRIM FPS

ON
BOOST

ON

ON
FAILURE
R E S E T

ON
ADVISORY
R E S E T

ON

A /S

POWER ON RESET

9.29.4

FLT PATH STAB Caution Light On.

POWER ON RESET switches - Simultaneously press

and then release.

WARNING
If the airspeed fault advisory light is illuminated, continued flight above 70 KIAS with the stabilator in the AUTO MODE is unsafe since a loss of the airspeed signal from the remaining airspeed sensor would result in the stabilator slewing full down.

9.29.5

Pitch, Roll or Yaw/Trim Hardover.

POWER ON RESET switches - Simultaneously press and then release. If failure returns, control affected axis manually.

9.29.6

Trim Actuator Jammed.

LAND AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE.

QUESTIONS