Aviation Theory Centre ATC Avionics and Flight Management Systems for the Air Transport Pilot

This manual provides a reference text for part of the study for the ATPL examination titled, Aircraft General Knowledge. The balance of necessary information is contained in a sister volume Aerodynamics, Engines and Airframe Systems for the Air Transport Pilot. The volumes were separated because of the complexity of the subject and the possibility that the examination was to be split in to two elements. It is currently still one examination.

This volume contains reference material which has been made as practical as possible while still complying with the essential elements of the curriculum. The reference aircraft is the Boeing B767-300 but where applicable we have mentioned equivalent systems in other aircraft types.

This volume includes:

• Area navigation system;
• Flight instrument systems including EFIS;
• Flight management systems;
• Autopilot and flight director systems; and
• Warning and recording systems.

From the preface... In producing this manual, our aim has been to provide a basic understanding, in generic terms, of the avionics and flight management systems used in modern transport category aeroplanes. Extensive use has been made of specific material drawn from the B767-300ER operations manuals used by various international carriers, and the text should be read in conjunction with the extracts from one of these manuals, which can be obtained from the CASA flight crew examinations section. It must be emphasized that we are not providing training, nor is CASA testing, for a type endorsement. This is the task of the individual airline/company. This manual has been prepared to meet the demands of the aviation training industry for a suitable reference text for students who are studying for the Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) written examination, as well as for instructors preparing their teaching material. The material in this manual meets the requirements set down by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in the ATPL knowledge syllabus, which has been issued in accordance with the standards and recommended practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and set out in Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Throughout the text, reference has been made to the systems and equipment fitted in the B767. The material has been drawn from operation manuals used by various international airlines operating the B767-300ER. As will be seen from the title of this manual, it covers avionics and flight management systems, and these terms are used in their broadest sense. Although avionics has traditionally been covered under the generic heading of navigation, the transport aeroplane of today uses its flight management system to integrate navigation inputs from various sources with the electronic flight instrument systems, the autopilot flight director system, and the various warning and recording systems.

First Edition
Reprint with revisions March 2009