Avionics is the combination of two terminologies; aviation and electronics. In simple terms, it is related to the electrical systems used in an aircraft as well as in spacecraft and artificial satellites. These often include flight control systems, engine controls, threat detection, electro-optic systems, fuel systems, and performance monitors.
Depending on the type of aircraft, some will require simple systems such as searchlights in a police helicopter while others perform a more sophisticated function like those used in warplanes.
This blog post explains the top types of systems used in modern avionics.
Navigation
Avionics systems use satellites like GPS and WAAS, ground-based ratio, and interior navigation programs, to help pilots determine their position above the earth’s surface.
Modern avionics have additional components attached to their navigation systems to increase system reliability. Such as GPS for main navigation and radio systems for emergencies.
By contrast, the older aircraft navigation systems that used VOR and LORAN were less efficient in that they required pilots to plot their way on paper maps first.
Communication
Being one of the most important systems of avionics, it connects the pilot to the ground staff and authorities. To date, the most common avionics airband is between 118 MHz and 136.976 MHz, with slight differences for commercial aircraft. International planes, and military vessels.
Meanwhile, some communication systems under avionics can reach artificial satellites.
Monitoring Systems
This system involves parts like gauges, dials, and other similar instruments that have been converted into more computer-based systems instead of the manual gadgets that you can find in older aircrafts.
However, these advancements came with a downside, especially if the pilot was comfortable with having a balance between automation and manual functions.
Weather Systems
Weather systems are used to warn pilots about precipitation, turbulence, and other harsh weather conditions. This helps pilots to adjust the altitude of their aircraft to keep the flight on a safe path.
Advancements in technology have enabled the system to become more affordable. Now you can easily access an affordable weather system for light aircraft that can detect lightning, storm activities, etc.
Fuel System
Every aircraft needs an efficient fuel system that can monitor its remaining fuel and manage other related tasks to ensure efficient fuel usage.
While you can easily pull over your car to the roadside and call for professional roadside assistance when it runs out of fuel you can not do this with an aircraft.
Collision Avoidance And Traffic Alerts
This technology has added a lot of efficiency to air traffic. It detects other aircraft and alerts the pilot about possible collisions. This signal system comes with software that provides instructions after detecting threats and ground-proximity warning systems for increased safety.
Flight Control
Another application of electronics in the aviation industry is the flight control system. Flight control was initially used in bomber planes to keep them steady during an air raid. But in later years, it became an important system to control pilot errors in all planes, especially during landing and takeoff. Today it has become the most important avionics system that even the FAA requires you to do regular maintenance and testing on to ensure safety.
Conclusion
Monoplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, spacecraft, commercial aircraft, helicopters, and business jets all use avionics that perform a wide range of safety, directional, and similar functions.
The more complex a plane is, the more sophisticated its electronic system will be for proper and controlled functioning. Moreover, modern avionic systems integrate several functions to simplify maintenance, regulations, controls, and even lower costs.
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