What is Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) and How Does it Vary? - Essay Sample

Intrduction

Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) is a system within the flight deck of an aircraft that shows the flight data in an automated manner rather than the previous electromechanical method. It consists of various parameters that include the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS), a primary flight display model, and a multi-function display system (Tooley, 2013). The methods, however, vary differently depending on the type of aircraft that is involved. A smaller model of aircraft has fewer display systems, while the larger models of aircraft have more display systems usually six or more significant. The installation of the system follows a particular patter, namely the displays, the controls, and data processors. Also, some basic system possesses all these parameters in one unit.

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Display Units

This is one of the critical components of the system and is defined within the cockpit. They are subdivided into the two central modes.

The Primary Flight Display(PFD)

The unit replaces the traditional units. Such displays can show the items that are vital to the flight path of the aircraft, including the height, velocity, calibrated airspeed. The system aims to enhance the awareness of the pilot in their task by integrating all the information into one system other than various traditional instruments. This effort lessens the work of the pilot because they are not involved in the process of monitoring all those displays. They also enable them to enhance their awareness of the current events by giving warnings to the staff on external or potentially harmful conditions such as wind, low speed of the aircraft, increased descent speed. They do the alerts using different mechanisms such as a change in color or giving audio warnings.

The displays and navigation panels are similar. The information that the system relays depends on the interface through which the system's installation happened. The LCD units that are in use are beneficial as they produce less heat that is advantageous. The installed systems also are lighter and occupy less space.

Multi-Function Display

The system relays information on the weather patterns and the navigations from different systems. The information displayed over a map or chart. The type of data that it transmits the flight route plan, the kind of weather from the radar systems on board, the lightning detection system, or the ground-based system. This system can also be used to view other forms of data and calculated plans. These measures include the velocity, the wind, and the terrain. It also shows information that is pertinent to the aircraft that include the fuel and the electrical supply. Similar to PFD, the system is also able to give warning to the crew.

Engine Indications and Crew Alerting System (EICAS)

This system shows an array of information concerning the aircraft that ranges from the aircraft's operations, including its fuel, electrical supply, the propulsion systems, and the engines. They copy the design of the traditional methods but also provide a touch of the digital footprints. It enhances the awareness of the crew to their surroundings by enabling them to see the complicated information through a graphical presentation. It also provides warnings on strange or potentially hazardous material. For example, if the fuel tank leaks and the plane begins to lose fuel, due to the low pressure, the problem is highlighted with a red box. As compared to the old methods where there were very many levels of alerts and warnings had to be calibrated. Due to the problems experienced, it is essential that the crew provided with only the necessary information. The designers should ensure that the system is not overcrowded with unnecessary details.

Control Panels

EFIS provides pilots with keys that can identify the range, the mode, and enter the data. A symbol generator creates the data processors involved. However, the systems are not independent of human control. This measure demonstrates the importance of having the two systems in close contact with each other.

Standard Ground-Based Precision N Approach

The ground-based approach, also referred to as an instrument approach, which is a sequence of already established interventions for the movement of an aircraft from the initial point of approach to the landing point. These approaches have been brought forward by the European Union and the FAA. This approach uses a system for navigation which establishes the path and glides course deviation. Procedures that have vertical guidance need the assistance of navigation systems with path and glide course deviation. These systems have various parameters that are in use and are also crucial to the function of the system. They also make good use of graphical representation that includes the aeronautical charts that show the approach necessary to collect the data that is necessary to execute a strategy to the aircraft (Symonds, 2018).

This approach usually has up to five independent fragments that relay the course of the flight, the distance covered, the speed and the minimum altitude. These fragments include the feeder routes, the intermediate approach segment, the initial approach, final approach, and the missed approach. All these segments used the necessary parameters as a way of gauging their functioning.

The ground-based system has been the mainstay of landing navigation assistance for a long time. This fact is in comparison to the modernized equipment that provides better precision. The ground-based system offers support to all ground-based operation, including navigation; it involves various departments that include the traffic controllers who guide the aircraft to enable the land safely regardless of the prevailing weather conditions. It makes use of either a precision approach radar or an airport surveillance radar (Dockter, Caldwell & Graham, 2010)

The system requires close monitoring and communication between the grounds based technology and the pilots. However, there is a challenge since the ground systems can coordinate one or two pilots. The air traffic controllers use the radar systems to find out the best course and altitude of guiding that aircraft (Tooley, 2013). Once this has been determined, they are verbally controlled by the air traffic controllers who can guide them to land

The NZ60 Approach

The experience of the plane from New Zealand to Apia can significantly enhance our knowledge of the two systems. The aircraft during its approach to the airport received a wrong ILS indication on the plan (Barnett, 2012). The airfield was under construction and hence the said alert. The crew prepared itself to be able to land and avoid a tragedy. During the process of landing, the plane went down lower than average and increased speed and its rate of descent. The prevention of an incidence during the flight path attributable to the situational awareness that the crew possessed. This awareness activated by the team identifying the glideslope capture unease, more load, conflicting information between the altitude gauge and the DME and the lights.

Other Factors in Mitigating Wrong EFIS and Ground-Based System Output

The crew needs to be aware of the possibility of getting false alerts. With this mind, they can contemplate such an event when and if it arises. There needs to be thorough briefing that points out all the essential information that is crucial such as human-made objects, the terrain of the land the plane will fly over, expected velocity. Regular crosschecks of the equipment will avoid faulty machines. The crew should also be alert when approaching airports, especially airports that are not adequately regulated. Such factors can establish clear cut guidelines that are used to enhance the safety of air travel (Moir & Seabridge, 2012).

Advantages of EFIS Over the Ground-Based System

EFIS provides flexibility by removing the physical challenges seen in the old order. A pilot can be able to switch the displays that the pilot would want to range from speed to navigation path. It also displays a sense of redundancy, which allows backups that protect the system if one fails.

Though modern systems have tremendous benefits, most aircraft use both methods as a complementary means to each other. In the events of mix up of information relayed, the pilot has tasked the decision with the leeway of making an informed decision by assessing the situation through their awareness (Wyatt, 2014).

Controlled flight into terrain is an air accident that occurs when an aircraft that was under the control of a pilot flown into the hard territory. It was usually not intentional, and the crew most of the times realize the imminent disaster when it's too late. The contributory factors to CFIT include pilot error, visibility, and weather, and pilot fatigue. Studies say that planes which have such safety methods have not suffered a CFIT accident (Learmount, 2009).

Conclusion

The importance of technology in the safety of air traffic cannot be understated. They have provided an essential solution to the impending dangers that loom. However, it cannot remain forgotten that traditional methods are also beneficial and will help in the management of these scenarios. They work in complementary to each other and thus are handy tools. Many countries are looking towards that line to ensure the safety of air travel. Also, with the advent of this technology, it has seen a reduction in accidents.

References

Barnett, A., 2011. Aviation Safety and Security. Wiley Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science. doi:10.1002/9780470400531.eorms0077

Dockter, G.E., Caldwell, D.G. and Graham, J., Boeing Co., 2010. Aircraft precision approach control. U.S. Patent 7,693,617.

Learmount, D., 2009. Forecasts 2009VSafety and security are in the doldrums. Flight Int., Jan, 13.

Moir, I., & Seabridge, A., 2012. Design and Development of Aircraft Systems. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Symonds, C. L., 2018. 6. The Doldrums and The New Navy (1865-1900). Very Short Introductions. doi:10.1093/actrade/9780199394760.003.0006

Tooley, M., 2013. Aircraft Digital Electronic and Computer Systems, 2nd ed. London, England: Routledge.

Wyatt, D., 2014. Aircraft Flight Instruments and Guidance Systems: Principles, Operations and Maintenance. London, England: Routledge.