Boeing Next Generation 737 Automatic Flight System User manual

Automatic Flight System Next Generation 737 is a comprehensive system designed to enhance flight safety and efficiency. It consists of the autopilot flight director system (AFDS) and the autothrottle (A/T) which work together to provide automatic control of the aircraft during takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and landing. The system relies on data from the flight management computer (FMC) to optimize flight paths and manage engine thrust, making it a valuable tool for pilots in various flight phases.

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08 AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

V I R T U A L

Topics

N E X T G E N E R A T I O N

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BOEING 737 NEXT GENERATION

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

AFS Automatic Flight System

– AFDS Autopilot Flight Director System

– Mode Control Panel

• Speed

• Vertical navigation

• Lateral navigation

• Autopilot/Flight Director

– Autopilot engagement/disengagement

– AFS failure

– Flight Director

– AFDS Status Annunciation, Flight Mode Annunciation

– Control Wheel Steering

– Autothrottle System

Automatic Flight Operations

– Takeoff and Climb

– Enroute

– Approach and Landing

– Go-around

– Operation in windshear

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AFDS

MCP

BOEING 737 NEXT GENERATION

FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS, DISPLAYS

 Speed

 Vertical navigation

 Lateral navigation

 Autopilot & F/D

BOEING 737 NEXT GENERATION

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Course overview

– Airplane General

– Air Systems

– Warning Systems, Communications,

Ice & Rain Protection

– Electrical

– Engines, APU, Fuel System

– Hydraulics, Flight Controls,

Landing Gear, Brakes

– Flight Instruments, Displays

– Automatic Flight

– Flight Management, Navigation

– Normal Operations

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BOEING 737 NEXT GENERATION

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

AFS

Overview

The automatic flight system (AFS) consists of the autopilot flight director system (AFDS) and the autothrottle

(A/T). The flight management computer (FMC) provides N1 limits and target N1 for the A/T and command airspeeds for the A/T and AFDS.

The AFDS and A/T are controlled using the AFDS mode control panel (MCP) and the FMC. Normally, the

AFDS and A/T are controlled automatically by the FMC to fly an optimized lateral and vertical flight path through climb, cruise and descent.

Indicators

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AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

AFDS

MCP Speed

• Autothrottle ARM switch

• Autothrottle indicator light

• Changeover switch

• MCP speed condition symbols

• IAS/MACH display

• N1 switch

• SPEED switch

• IAS/MACH selector

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AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

AFDS

MCP Vertical navigation

• VNAV switch

• Altitude display

• Vertical speed display

• Vertical speed thumbwheel

• Level Change switch

• Approach switch

• Altitude selector

• Altitude hold switch

• Vertical speed switch

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AFDS

MCP Lateral navigation

• Course display

• Heading selector

• Heading display

• LNAV switch

• VOR Localizer switch

BOEING 737 NEXT GENERATION

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

• Course selector

• Bank angle selector

• Heading select switch

• Approach switch

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AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

AFDS

MCP A/P, F/D

• Command engage switches

• CWS engage switches

• Autopilot disengage bar

• Master F/D indication

• Flight director switch

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AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

AFDS

AFS failures

– Power interruption or loss may cause disengagement of the AFDS and/or A/T. Re–engagement is possible after power is restored.

– Dual channel A/P operation is possible only when two generators are powering the busses.

– Two independent radio altimeters provide radio altitude to the respective FCCs. With a radio altimeter inoperative, do not use the associated FCC for approach or landing, and do not use the associated autopilot for approach.

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AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

AFDS

Autopilot engagement/disengagement

Each A/P can be engaged by pushing a separate CMD or CWS engage switch. A/P engagement in CMD or

CWS is inhibited unless both of the following pilot–controlled conditions are met:

• no force is being applied to the control wheel

• the STAB TRIM AUTOPILOT cutout switch is at NORMAL.

Only one A/P can be engaged at a given time unless the approach (APP) mode is engaged. Approach mode allows both A/Ps to be engaged at the same time. Dual A/P operation provides control through landing flare and touchdown or an automatic go–around.

The A/P automatically disengages when any of the following occurs:

• pushing either A/P disengage switch

• pushing either TO/GA switch with a single A/P engaged in CWS or CMD below 2000 feet RA

• pushing either TO/GA switch with a single A/P above 2000 feet RA with flaps down or G/S engaged.

• pushing either TO/GA switch after touchdown with both A/Ps engaged in CMD

• pushing an illuminated A/P ENGAGE switch

• pushing the A/P DISENGAGE bar down

• activating either pilot’s control wheel trim switch

• moving the STAB TRIM AUTOPILOT cutout switch to CUTOUT

• either left or right IRS system failure or FAULT light illuminated

• loss of electrical power or a sensor input which prevents proper operation of the engaged A/P and mode

• loss of respective hydraulic system pressure.

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AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

AFDS

Flight Director

Turning a F/D switch ON displays command bars on the respective pilot’s attitude indicator if command pitch and roll modes are engaged. If command pitch and roll modes are not engaged, the F/D command bars do not appear. The F/Ds can be operated with or without the A/P and A/T. F/D command modes can be used with an A/P engaged in CWS.

F/D commands operate in the same command modes as the A/P except:

• the takeoff mode is a F/D only mode

• dual F/D guidance is available for single engine operation

• the F/D has no landing flare capability. F/D command bars retract from view at approximately 50 feet RA on an ILS approach.

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AFDS

Status Annunciation

FMA

CWS

BOEING 737 NEXT GENERATION

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

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AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

Automatic Flight Operations

Takeoff

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AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

Autothrottle

The A/T system provides automatic thrust control from the start of takeoff through climb, cruise, descent, approach and go–around or landing. In normal operation, the FMC provides the A/T system with N1 limit values.

The A/T moves the thrust levers with a separate servo motor on each thrust lever. Manually positioning the thrust levers does not cause A/T disengagement unless 10 degrees of thrust lever separation is exceeded during a dual channel approach after FLARE armed is annunciated. Following manual positioning, the A/T may reposition the thrust levers to comply with computed thrust requirements except while in the THR HLD and ARM modes.

The A/T system operates properly with the EECs ON or in ALTN. In either case, the A/T uses the FMC N1 limits.

Thrust mode display annunciations

• TO – takeoff

• R-TO – reduced takeoff

• R-CLB – reduced climb

• CLB – climb

• CRZ – cruise

• G/A – go–around

• CON – continuous

• ––– – FMC not computing thrust limit

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AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

Automatic Flight Operations

Approach and Landing

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BOEING 737 NEXT GENERATION

AUTOMATIC FLIGHT

Automatic Flight Operations

Go-around

BOEING 737 NEXT GENERATION

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Internet: http://www.b737.virtualairlines.hu

E-mail: [email protected]

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Key features

Autopilot Flight Director
Autothrottle System
Flight Management Computer Integration
Dual Channel Operation
Automatic Takeoff, Climb, Cruise, Descent, and Landing
Approach and Go-Around Modes
Windshear Operation
Flight Director Command Modes
Dual Radio Altimeter for Improved Approach Safety

Frequently asked questions

The AFS is designed to provide automatic control of the aircraft during various flight phases, such as takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach, and landing. It consists of the autopilot flight director system (AFDS) and the autothrottle (A/T), which work together to manage the aircraft's flight path and engine thrust.

The AFS is primarily controlled by the AFDS mode control panel (MCP) and the flight management computer (FMC). The FMC provides optimized flight paths and commands for the AFS, ensuring efficient and safe flight operations.

The AFS operates in different modes depending on the specific flight phase, including takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach, go-around, and landing. These modes are selected by the pilot using the MCP and FMC.

The autothrottle system automatically adjusts engine thrust based on the flight phase and the aircraft's performance requirements. It uses N1 limits from the FMC to regulate thrust and ensure optimal engine operation.

In the event of an AFS failure, the pilot can manually control the aircraft. However, certain modes may become unavailable, and the pilot will need to exercise extra caution during flight operations.

The F/D provides visual guidance to the pilot by displaying command bars on the attitude indicator. These bars indicate the desired pitch and roll attitude for maintaining a specific flight path. The F/D can operate independently of the autopilot and autothrottle but can also be used in conjunction with them.