1.10. Inspection of the maintenance log for snags. Preparation of the fmc for flight.

Exercise 1.10.1 Read and translate the text.

With his two colleagues hard at work, John is busy too. He pulls out the maintenance log from a cupboard and reviews it for any outstanding snags recorded by previous crews. On a machine as complex as the 747, malfunctions do occur. If the problem is a minor one, the flight is usually allowed to depart and the repairs deferred to a time when the work can be done without inconveniencing passengers. However, more serious defects obviously have to be fixed before the flight can proceed. One ‘no-go’ item is an electronic engine control box. If it fails, it must be repaired or replaced before the jet can fly. However the jumbo is okay to go with an unserviceable fire detection system because British Airways ordered two for each engine, ensuring a back-up. The log reveals a few minor defects – the satellite communications system is down and several seats in the cabin are having problems with the in-flight entertainment system.

Next John starts on a series of tasks to prepare the FMC for the flight ahead. The FMC serves as the aircraft’s electronic brain. It has an extensive navigational database containing information on VORs, including frequencies and identifiers, waypoints, airways, airports, runways, standard instrument departures (SID) and standard terminal arrival routes (STAR). The computer’s memory also has a performance database with the aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics as well as data on fuel flow, thrust and engine limits. Not only can the FMC guide the jet to virtually any airport in the world, provided it has the fuel to get there, it can also compute the most efficient way to get there. When a flightplan is programmed into the FMC, it then computes the optimum profiles for climb, cruise and descent, striking a balance between speed and economy. When LNAV (lateral navigation) and VNAV (vertical navigation) are selected, the flight management system provides guidance to the autopilot or flight director to fly the jet along this optimum routeing. The system also controls the thrust levers for best fuel economy.

John’s first job is to check that the FMC knows where in the world it is. During the scan check, Harry inputs ‘T7’, the gate position at Terminal 4, to automatically load the jet’s latitude and longitude. This gives the IRS a starting point for its navigation calculations. John accesses the FMC using one of the two CDUs (control and display units) located at the front of the centre console and checks the position page to ensure the co-ordinates are correct.

Next he tells the FMC where the flight is going. The airline flies to Hong Kong on a variety of routes and today the SWORD system has chosen Route 78 that is stored in the FMC memory. John simply types ‘LHRHKG78’ on the keypad, and presses ‘activate’ and ‘execute’. With those few keystrokes, the routeing is loaded, sparing him the time-consuming task of typing each of the waypoints into the computer.

Moving to the DEP/ARR page, he selects Runway 09 Right as the take off runway. ATC hasn’t yet assigned a departure routeing but from experience, John selects the Brookmans Park 5 Juliet SID as the most likely choice. SID procedures spell out the headings and altitudes to be flown by an aircraft after take-off. They serve much like motorway slip roads, guiding traffic out of the busy airspace around an airport and on the way to the destinations. Similarly, inbound aircraft are assigned a STAR. These serve as exit slip roads, guiding aircraft off an airway, along a series of waypoints and radio beacons to a spot close to the airport. From there, an arrival controller issues radar vectors to steer flights on to the final approach. STARs typically include several holding points , where controllers can stack aircraft if delays occur, as they often do.

With the SID selected, the computer automatically tunes the required radio beacons and the NDs show the routeing out of Heathrow.

The take-off flap setting is also entered into the FMC - 20˚ of flap is standard.

As a precaution, John then compares the routeing in the FMC with the printed flight plan and finds no discrepancies. He cross-checks the order of waypoints and also double-checks that the SID routeing displayed on the ND matches the procedure published in the mapbook. As part of his preflight routine, Harry will do his own independent check of the routeing. It is rare to catch any problems when using “canned” routes like this one. However, such cross-checks become even more vital when the pilots have manually input portions of the route themselves.

Harry has been working on the performance numbers for take-off. Not long ago, these calculations would have been done by referring to two thick binders that contain information for every airport and every runway in British Airways’ extensive network. The binders are still carried onboard, but now pilots have a system called CARD that links to ‘London Operations’, located at the Compass Centre, to obtain performance information. The system reduces the workload for the pilots, produces more accurate numbers and actually permits higher take-off weights. When the pilots do the numbers, the calculations tend to be conservative. However the computers take into account every possible factor to provide the most advantageous take-off weight. Typically, CARD will provide several hundred kilos in certain circumstances, which may equal several extra passengers, more freight or more fuel.

Despite its size and weight, the jumbo doesn’t require full thrust for every take-off. In fact, full thrust is usually required for hot and heavy departures – when the jet is fully loaded and high temperatures reduce aircraft performance. While Viktor Alpha will be hauling a heavy load, it will be about 30 tonnes under its maximum take-off weight. It is also a cool day in London. These two factors – weight and temperature – will allow a reduced thrust take-off, extending the life of the engines.

To obtain the performance numbers, the pilots use ACARS, the aircraft communication addressing and reporting system. This datalink system is used to transmit information between the pilots and an airline ground base, enabling easy communications for dispatch and weather updates, as well as linking to ATC for clearances, as is done now on North Atlantic routes.

The First Officer enters the required data into the ACARS using a CDU located at the rear of the centre console. He selects Runway 09 Right as the runway in use, that the anti-ice and air-conditioning packs will be off for departure (they draw bleed air from the engines, reducing thrust slightly); and the runway is dry. Finally, he enters the wind, temperature and air pressure and the estimated take-off weight. The information is transmitted via datalink to a central airline computer. Within seconds, a piece of paper scrolls out of the datalink printer. The computer has suggested using an assumed temperature of 43˚ Celsius to obtain the take-off power setting. This figure is entered into the THRUST LIM page of the FMC to determine the EPR for take-off. EPR – used as the prime reference for setting power – measures the pressure difference between the air entering the engine inlet and the exhaust pressure of the bypass air. The FMC calculates the full power required for take-off at this higher temperature, which results in a lower thrust setting of 1.66 EPR at today’s cooler weather, well below the maximum EPR of about 1.75.

The refueling is completed and the fueller visits the flight deck with a print-out showing the distribution of fuel in the tanks. The jet had arrived from Los Angeles with 11.200 kg of fuel. It has been loaded with another 123.11kg – equal to 152.750 litres – bringing the total load to about 134.500kg.

Tonight, the fuel is carried in wing tanks and a large centre tank located in the mid-section of the fuselage. The fuel synoptic on the lower screen provides quick confirmation of the fueller’s figures. It shows main tanks 1 and 4 with 13.7 tonnes each; main 2 has 37.9 tonnes; main 3 has 38.2 tonnes; the centre tank holds another 23 tonnes. Two reserve tanks have 4 tonnes apiece. Another tank located in the horizontal stabilizer has a capacity of 12.490 litres, enough to fly 350 nm, but is empty for today’s trip. In fact, while the jumbo is carrying 166.873 litres of fuel, there is a room in the tanks for another 50.000 litres.

With the fuel onboard and the provisional loadsheet in hand, the crew can now set the zero fuel weight in the FMC. This is the weight of the jet and its payload without the fuel and tonight it totals 231.5 tonnes. The pilots cross-check the power setting and flap setting. From the loadsheet, Harry obtains the mean aerodynamic chord, which indicates how the load is positioned relative to the aircraft’s centre of gravity.

This is entered into the FMC to obtain the take-off trim setting for the stabilizer. All this will be checked again after the final load figures are received during the taxi out to the runway.

Exercise 1.10.2 Answer the questions.

1. What is recorded in the maintenance log?

2. What is “no go” item?

3. When is the flight allowed?

4. Why is the jumbo allowed to go with inoperative fire detection system?

5. What defects are revealed in the log book?

6. What does FMC serve for?

7. What information does FMC contain?

8. What aerodynamic characteristics does FMC have?

9. What can FMC ensure after a flightplan has been programmed?

10. What does LNAV/VNAV mean?

11. Which devices get guidance from FMC?

12. When does the flight managing system provide guidance to the autopilot or flight director?

13. What else does the system control?

14. What data does Harry input?

15. What system is given a starting point for navigational calculations?

16. How many display units are there on the centre console?

17. How does John tell the FMC where the flight is going?

18. Which route has been chosen to fly to Hong Kong?

19. How does Harry introduce this route into FMC?

20. What runway does he select?

21. What SID does he select?

22. What does SID provide?

23. What does STAR provide?

24. What do STARs include?

25. What is also entered into FMC?

26. What is the standard flaps setting for take off?

27. Why does John compare the routing in the FMC with printed flight plan?

28. What for does Harry input routes manually?

29. What system has replaced the binders?

30. Are the binders still carried onboard?

31. What does CARD provide?

32. Does the jumbo require full thrust for every take off?

33. When is full thrust needed?

34. Which factors may reduce thrust?

35. What is the aircraft communication addressing and reporting system used for?

36. What data does the first officer enter into the ACARS?

37. Why should the anti-ice and air-conditioning packs be switched off?

38. Where is then the information transmitted?

39. What is EPR used for?

40. What unit calculates the full power for take off?

41. What is the total amount of fuel onboard the jet?

42. Where is fuel carried tonight?

43. What does the fuel synoptic show?

44. What does zero fuel weight mean?

45. What data does Harry obtain from the loadsheet?

46. Where are these data entered and what for?

Exercise 1.10.3 Are the following statements true (√) or false (×)? Correct the false ones.

1. On a machine as complex a 747 malfunctions do occur.

2. The log doesn’t reveal any defects.

3. The FMC serves as the aircraft’s brain.

4. FMC can only guide the jet to any airport.

5. One of “no – go” items is an electronic engine control box failure.

6. FMC computes the optimum profiles for climb, cruise and decent, before flight plan is programmed into it.

7. The jumbo is okay to go with unserviceable fire detection system.

8. The system provides guidance to the autopilot or flight director.

9. During the scan check Harry inputs “T9”.

10. John does not compare the routeing in the FMC with the printed flight plan.

11. The take off flap setting 24 is also entered into the FMC.

12. If the problem is a minor one, the flight is usually allowed.

13. Today the SWORD system has chosen Route 77 to Hong Kong.

14. The jumbo requires full thrust for every take off.

15. If an electronic engine control box fails it must be repaired or replaced.

16. The routeing is loaded with two keystrokes.

17. The captain enters the required data into the ACARS.

Exercise 1.10.4 Give English equivalents for the following words and word combinations.

Вычислять оптимальные профили; экономия топлива; сравнивать; независимая проверка; напечатанный план полета; взлетное положение закрылок; дублирующий; расход топлива; широта; принимать во внимание; система передачи данных; коммерческая загрузка; средняя аэродинамическая хорда; режим работы двигателя; несмотря на его размер и вес; увеличивать ресурс двигателя; вводить; память компьютера; неисправность; неудобства; долгота.

Exercise 1.10.5 What do the following abbreviation stand for?

FMC LNAV VNAV STAR SID CDU EPR

Exercise 1.10.6 Find in the text synonyms for the following word and expressions.

Route points; provide; look through; cleared; break down; stand by; show; begin; dive; restriction; bring; if; reach; chosen; control system; enter; reference point; different; prescribe; place; display; decrease; cargo; demand; get.

Exercise 1.10.7 Match the word combinations and expressions in column A with those in column B.

A	B
1. linking to ATC for clearance	a. введеный маршрут
2. room in the tanks	b. записанные предыдущим экипажем
3. lower power setting	c. несмотря на его размер и вес
4. provides quick confirmation	d. включать несколько точек ожидания
5. enabling easy communication	e. измерять разницу давления
6. aircraft performance	f. заправщик посещает кабину экипажа
7. located at the rear of the centre console	g. определять исходные данные двигателя для взлета
8. recorded by the previous crew	h. связываясь с диспетчером УВД для получения разрешения
9. loaded routeing	i. место в баке
10. ssue radar vectors	j. обеспечивает быстрое подтверждение
11. include several holding points	k. принимать во внимание каждый возможный фактор
12. be off for the departure	l. давать радиолокационное наведение
13. determine EPR for take off	m. малый режим работы двигателя
14. measure the pressure difference	n. быть выключеными для взлета
15. fueller visits the flight deck	o. расположенные внизу центрального пункта
16. to take into account every possible factor	p. обеспечивая быстрой связью
17. despite its size and weight	q. характеристики самолета

Exercise 1.10.8 Fill in the gaps with the words from the text choosing from the ones given in brackets.

1. The crew can ___ (adjust, settle, set) the zero fuel weight.

2. The information is ___________ (recorded, received, transmitted) via datalink.

3. Two reserve tanks ______________ (include, accommodate, have) four tonnes apiece.

4. They draw ___________ (input, output, bleed) air from the engines.

5. This datalink system is ________ (employed, used, recorded) to transmit information.

6. These two factors will ________ (provide, cause, allow) a reduced thrust.

7. The fuel is _________ (kept, ocated, carried) in wing tanks and a large centre tank.

8. The jet had ________ (departed, arrived, come) from Los Angeles.

9. The FMC _________ (estimates, determines, calculates) the fuel power required for take-off.

10. Another tank has a/an ___________ (amount, flow, capacity) of 12 490 litres.

11. STARs typically ________ (consist of, include, locate) holding points.

12. SID procedures _____________ (indicate, spell out, show) the heading and altitudes to be flown.

13. John simply ________ (enters, writes, types) ‘activate’ and ‘execute’.

Exercise 1.10.9 Fill in the gaps with the related word.

1. They ____ much like motorway slip roads. (SERVING)

2. He __________ Runway 09 Right is the take off runway. (SELECTION)

3. The airliner ________ to Hong Kong today. (FLIGHT)

4. John ____________ the FMC. (ACCESSING)

5. The system also __________ the thrust levers. (CONTROLLED)

6. ATC hasn’t jet __________ a departure routeing in. (ASSIGN)

7. This ___________ the IRS a starting points. (GIVE)

8. More ________ defects have to be fixed. (SERIOUSLY)

9. British Airways __________ two fire detection systems. (ORDER)

10. If engine control box _________ it must be repaired. (FAILED)

11. Inbound aircraft are __________ a STAR. (ASSIGNING).

12. John then _________ the routeing with the printed flightplan. (COMPARISON)

13. The computer automatically __________ the required radio beacon. (TUNED)

Exercise 1.10.10 In the list below the box find a definition for the given words.

Flight level Passenger Cruise Fuel Maintenance Unserviceable Flight Management Computer (FMC) Waypoint Database Fuel flow Flightplan Control Display Unit (CDU) Cross-check

1. not in working order

2. on board computer system which performs navigational and performance computations

3. the rate of fuel burned by the engine at a given power setting and altitude

4. the portion of a flight during which level flight is maintained

5. the overhaul repair and upkeep of an aircraft, engine or system in accordance with an approved schedule

6. plan showing all specified information for a planned flight submitted orally or in writing to ATC

7. a material used to produce heat energy by burning

8. any person carried on board an aircraft, who is not part of the operating crew

9. provides input access for the pilots to FMC for flight management

10. a large amount of information which is stored in a computer and is easily available for the user

11. altitude measured in units of 100 feet above a standard sea level barometric pressure reference of 1013.2 hectopascals

12. an en route position used for navigation, position reporting, holding

13. an independent check by another person that a required statement is true

Exercise 1.10.11 Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Сборники все еще находятся на борту.

2. Угол установки закрылок также вводится в компьютер управления полетом.

3. Это дает исходную точку инерционной системе координат.

4. Джон выбирает СИД Брукменз Парк 5 Джульет.

5. На таких сложных машинах как 747 случаются неисправности.

6. Более серьезные дефекты должны быть устранены перед полетом.

7. Компьютер управления полетом вычисляет оптимальные профили набора, снижения и крейсерного полета.

8. Компьютер управления полетом имеет обширную навигационную базу данных.

9. Память компьютера управления полетом также имеет базу данных с аэродинамическими характеристиками.

10. Он проверяет порядок точек маршрута.

11. УВД еще не назначили маршрут вылета.

12. Диспетчер прибытия дает радиолокационное векторение для управления полетом.

13. Компьютер управления полетом определяет (вычисляет) полную мощность, которая потребуется для взлета

14. Реактивный самолет прибыл из Лос-Анжелоса с 11 200 кг топлива.

15. Бак, расположенный в стабилизаторе, пустой для сегодняшнего полета.

16. Вес и температура позволят уменьшить взлетную тягу

17. Чтобы получить цифры характеристик, пилоты используют ЭКЭПС – бортовую систему связи.

18. Это система передачи данных, используемая для передачи информации между пилотами и базой авиакомпании.

19. СИД указывает курсы и высоты, на которых должен лететь самолет.

20. Второй пилот вводит необходимые данные в ЭКЭПС (бортовая система связи).

21. Этот компьютер предложил использовать допустимую температуру 43° С.

22. Эти расчеты выполнялись с помощью двух толстых сборников.

23. Гарри выполнит собственную независимую проверку маршрута.

24. Эта система уменьшает рабочую нагрузку на пилотов.

25. Сухой вес – это вес реактивного самолета и его коммерческая нагрузка без топлива.

26. Он выбирает полосу 09 правую в качестве рабочей.

Exercise 1.10.12 Make up your own sentences using the following words and word combinations.

Maintenance log; outstanding snags; malfunctions; serious defects; it must be repaired; waypoints; standard instrument departures; aerodynamic characteristics; provides guidance; input; latitude; longitude; starting point for; FMC memory; departure routeing; inbound aircraft; steer flights; can stack aircraft; radio beacons; take-off flap setting; performance information; workload; take into account; take-off weight; full thrust; aircraft communication addressing and reporting system; anti-ice and air-conditioning packs; ttake-of power setting; full power; refueling; capacity; zero fuel weight; cross-check; mean aerodynamic chord.

Exercise 1.10.13 Retell the text.