The F/A-18 incorporates a digital fly-by-wire primary flight control system (FCS). An emergency mechanical backup/linkage to the horizontal stabilizers (stabs) is provided in the event of a major FCS failure. Unfortunately, mechanical backup (MECH) mode reversion incidents have increased dramatically in recent years. A flight test program was performed to identify MECH reversion trigger mechanisms and identify a minimum single engine power setting (RPM) above which, reversion was improbable. To do so required forcing in-flight MECH reversions while operating single engine. This was achieved by inducing substantial hydraulic demand through cycling the control stick and/or ancillary equipment such as flaps and landing gear. Risks associated with attempting to force the aircraft into an emergency mode with vigorous flight control inputs while single engine are addressed in this paper along with the risk mitigation, test method, conclusions and lessons learned.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    F/A-18A testing of flight control system reversion to mechanical backup


    Contributors:
    Girard, M.M. (author) / Sharpe, P. (author)


    Publication date :

    1999-01-01


    Size :

    475256 byte




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    F/A-18A Testing of Flight Control System Reversion to Mechanical Backup

    IEEE; Aerospace and Electronics Systems Society | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999



    F/A-18A Testing of Flight Control System Reversion to Mechanical Backup

    Girard, M. M. / Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000



    FLY-BY-WIRE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM WITH BACKUP MECHANICAL FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM

    LEE SEUNG DEOK | European Patent Office | 2018

    Free access