Avionics Manufacturing Equipment Recycling in Northern California

Comparing Manual Flight Controls to Fly-by-Wire Systems

Back in the day, airplanes were controlled using mechanical components like rods and cables. This allowed pilots to directly control the direction of the plane.  This setup gave pilots immediate control feedback but had some problems, like in emergencies or when planes needed to adapt to different situations.

To solve these issues, engineers started using hydraulics and other tech to make controls smoother and more reliable. Then, they came up with something called “fly-by-wire” which is like the high-tech version of the old mechanical controls. Instead of physical connections, it uses electronic signals sent through wires to control the plane’s movements. This made flying safer and allowed for more advanced features:

— Fly-by-wireless
— Power-by-wire
— Fly-by-optics
— Intelligent flight control system

ASAS versus ACAS

When two airplanes accidentally crash into each other while flying, it can lead to terrible consequences like people getting hurt, loss of life, and damage to property. Pilots usually follow directions from air traffic control to avoid these accidents, but planes also have their own systems called airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS) to help keep them safe. These systems can detect if there’s a risk of a crash and will make the planes move to prevent it.

Each plane has different types of ACAS systems. Each one has to meet rules set by the FAA or ICAO to make sure they work well and keep everyone safe.

Besides ACAS, there are also systems called airborne separation assurance systems (ASAS) that help keep planes a safe distance apart while they’re flying. Although ASAS used to be seen as part of ACAS, it is now considered as two separate systems in the aviation industry.