Aircraft Systems — Avionics, Hydraulics & More

Flight Management System (FMS)

Avionics

Central navigation computer that calculates optimized flight paths, manages waypoints, and integrates with autopilot for lateral and vertical navigation.

Glass Cockpit System

Avionics

Flight deck using multi-function LCD displays instead of analog gauges, integrating PFD, ND, EICAS/ECAM, and system synoptic pages.

Head-Up Display (HUD)

Avionics

Transparent display projecting critical flight data (airspeed, altitude, flight path) onto the windshield so pilots maintain external visual reference.

Weather Radar System

Avionics

Nose-mounted X-band radar that detects precipitation, turbulence, and windshear, displaying hazards on the navigation display for route deviation.

Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)

Avionics

Airborne system that interrogates nearby transponders, tracks intruder aircraft, and issues resolution advisories (climb/descend) to prevent mid-air collision.

Instrument Landing System (ILS)

Avionics

Ground-based precision approach system providing lateral (localizer) and vertical (glideslope) guidance for landing in low-visibility conditions.

ADS-B System

Avionics

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast — GPS-based system that continuously transmits aircraft position, altitude, and velocity to ATC and other aircraft.

Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)

Avionics

Terrain awareness system combining radio altimeter data with a worldwide terrain/obstacle database to warn pilots of controlled flight into terrain.

Flight Data Recorder (FDR)

Avionics

Crash-survivable recorder capturing 88+ flight parameters over the last 25 hours, essential for accident investigation.

Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)

Avionics

Crash-survivable recorder capturing all cockpit audio over the last 2 hours for accident investigation.

Cabin Pressurization System

Cabin Systems

System maintaining cabin altitude of 6,000-8,000 ft by regulating airflow from bleed air packs or electric compressors through outflow valves.

Air Conditioning Pack

Cabin Systems

Air cycle machine that cools and conditions high-temperature bleed air to comfortable cabin temperatures.

In-Flight Entertainment System

Cabin Systems

Integrated media system delivering video, audio, games, and connectivity through seatback screens or wireless streaming.

Cabin LED Lighting System

Cabin Systems

Programmable LED lighting with scene presets that simulates natural light cycles to reduce jet lag.

Aircraft Oxygen System

Cabin Systems

Emergency breathing system with chemical oxygen generators (passengers) and gaseous/liquid oxygen bottles (crew).

Water and Waste System

Cabin Systems

Potable water storage/distribution and vacuum waste collection system.

Galley Equipment System

Cabin Systems

Standardized aircraft kitchen with ATLAS/KSSU containers, ovens, coffee makers, and chillers.

Overhead Bin System

Cabin Systems

Pivoting or translating stowage compartments above passengers.

Cabin Interphone and PA System

Cabin Systems

Communication system connecting flight deck, cabin crew stations, and passenger PA.

Passenger Service Unit (PSU)

Cabin Systems

Overhead panel housing reading lights, call button, oxygen mask compartment, signs, and air vents.

Electrical Power Generation

Electrical & Power

Engine-driven generators (IDG or VFG) and APU generator providing 115V 400Hz AC power.

Aircraft Battery System

Electrical & Power

Main and APU batteries (nickel-cadmium or lithium-ion) providing emergency power and APU starting.

Emergency Power System

Electrical & Power

Backup power including RAT deployment, battery-only operation, and essential bus shedding.

Power Distribution System

Electrical & Power

Electrical buses (AC, DC, essential, standby) and contactors routing power with automatic load management.

Exterior Lighting System

Electrical & Power

Navigation lights, anti-collision beacons, landing/taxi lights, logo lights, and wing inspection lights.

Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA)

Electrical & Power

Shared computing platform where multiple avionics functions run as partitioned applications on common hardware.

No-Bleed Electrical Architecture

Electrical & Power

Boeing 787 design eliminating engine bleed air, using electric compressors for cabin air and electric heaters for anti-icing.

Variable Frequency Generator (VFG)

Electrical & Power

Engine-driven AC generator outputting power at varying frequency (360-800 Hz) proportional to engine speed.

Transformer Rectifier Unit (TRU)

Electrical & Power

Power conversion device transforming 115V AC to 28V DC for aircraft systems.

Solid-State Power Controller (SSPC)

Electrical & Power

Electronic circuit breaker replacing mechanical breakers with faster fault isolation and remote reset.

Fly-By-Wire Flight Control System

Flight Controls

Electronic flight control replacing mechanical linkages with electrical signals processed by flight control computers.

Flight Control Surfaces

Flight Controls

Primary (ailerons, elevators, rudder) and secondary (flaps, slats, spoilers) aerodynamic surfaces that control aircraft attitude and trajectory.

Autopilot System

Flight Controls

Computer-controlled system that maintains aircraft heading, altitude, and speed without continuous pilot input, from simple wing-levelers to full autoland.

Auto-Throttle / Autothrust System

Flight Controls

Engine power management system that automatically adjusts thrust to maintain target speed, Mach number, or vertical speed.

Yaw Damper

Flight Controls

Automatic stability augmentation system that detects and counteracts Dutch roll oscillations in swept-wing aircraft by commanding small rudder deflections.

Trim System

Flight Controls

System that adjusts baseline aerodynamic forces to maintain straight-and-level flight without continuous control input, using trim tabs or movable stabilizers.

High-Lift Devices

Flight Controls

Leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps that increase wing camber and area for more lift at low speeds during takeoff and landing.

Spoiler and Speed Brake System

Flight Controls

Panels on the wing upper surface that deploy to increase drag or disrupt lift for descent control and stopping.

Stall Protection System

Flight Controls

Safety system (stick shaker, stick pusher, alpha limiter) that warns of impending stall and prevents exceeding critical angle of attack.

Flight Control Computer

Flight Controls

Redundant digital computers (typically triple or quadruplex) that process pilot inputs and sensor data to command flight control actuators in FBW aircraft.

Landing Gear Retraction System

Landing & Ground

Hydraulic or electric actuators that extend and retract the main and nose gear assemblies, with uplocks, downlocks, and emergency free-fall backup.

Brake System

Landing & Ground

Multi-disk carbon or steel brakes on main gear wheels, applying friction through hydraulic or electro-hydrostatic actuators.

Anti-Skid Braking System

Landing & Ground

Electronic system that modulates brake pressure to each wheel independently, preventing tire lockup on wet/contaminated runways.

Nose Wheel Steering System

Landing & Ground

Hydraulic system providing directional control during taxi via tiller or rudder pedal input.

Tire and Wheel Assembly

Landing & Ground

High-pressure tubeless tires (200+ psi) mounted on forged aluminum or magnesium wheels.

Oleo-Pneumatic Shock Absorber

Landing & Ground

Telescoping strut using compressed nitrogen and hydraulic oil to absorb landing impact energy.

Weight-on-Wheels Sensor

Landing & Ground

Proximity switch on landing gear strut detecting ground/air transition, arming/disarming critical systems.

Autobrake System

Landing & Ground

Pre-selected automatic braking that activates on touchdown based on deceleration rate setting (LOW/MED/HIGH/MAX).

Ground Spoiler System

Landing & Ground

Full-span spoiler panels that deploy automatically on touchdown to dump wing lift and transfer weight to wheels.

Towing and Pushback Interface

Landing & Ground

Nose gear towing attachment point, bypass pin provisions, and steering disconnect for ground handling.

Engine Starting System

Propulsion

Pneumatic or electric system that spins the engine core to self-sustaining RPM, typically using APU bleed air, ground air cart, or electric starter-generators.

Thrust Reverser System

Propulsion

Mechanism that redirects engine exhaust forward upon landing to assist with deceleration, available as cascade, clamshell, or target-door types.

Engine Bleed Air System

Propulsion

System that extracts compressed air from engine compressor stages for cabin pressurization, anti-icing, engine start, and hydraulic reservoir pressurization.

FADEC System

Propulsion

Full Authority Digital Engine Control — computerized system managing all aspects of engine performance from start to shutdown with no manual override required.

Aircraft Fuel System

Propulsion

Integrated system of tanks, pumps, valves, and crossfeed lines that stores and delivers fuel while managing center of gravity through fuel sequencing.

Engine Oil System

Propulsion

Lubrication and cooling circuit circulating synthetic oil through engine bearings, gearboxes, and accessory drives while filtering contaminants.

Engine Fire Detection and Suppression

Propulsion

Dual-loop sensing system using continuous element detectors in engine nacelle and APU bays, paired with Halon/HFC fire extinguisher bottles.

Nacelle and Inlet System

Propulsion

Aerodynamic structure housing the engine that conditions airflow, provides acoustic treatment, and houses thrust reversers and fire protection.

Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)

Propulsion

Small turbine engine in the tail section providing electrical power and pneumatic air for engine starting and ground operations without main engines running.

Engine Vibration Monitoring System

Propulsion

Real-time monitoring using accelerometers to detect abnormal vibration indicating bearing wear, blade damage, or rotor imbalance.

Emergency Evacuation System

Safety & Emergency

Integrated system of slides, slide/rafts, escape ropes, and exit lighting enabling full evacuation in 90 seconds.

Fire Detection and Suppression

Safety & Emergency

Comprehensive fire protection covering cargo holds, lavatories, engines, and APU bay.

Emergency Lighting System

Safety & Emergency

Battery-powered floor proximity lighting, exit signs, and exterior escape path illumination.

Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

Safety & Emergency

Crash-activated 406 MHz beacon transmitting aircraft identity and GPS position to COSPAS-SARSAT.

Smoke Detection System

Safety & Emergency

Photoelectric and ionization detectors in cargo compartments, lavatories, avionics bays, and crew rest areas.

Ditching Provisions

Safety & Emergency

Structural reinforcements, sealed lower fuselage, and provisions for water landing.

Crew Oxygen System

Safety & Emergency

Gaseous oxygen system with face masks at each crew station for smoke/fumes scenarios and depressurization.

Passenger Oxygen System

Safety & Emergency

Chemical oxygen generators behind PSU panels that activate automatically above 14,000 ft cabin altitude.

Overwing Emergency Exit

Safety & Emergency

Type III exit over the wing with assist handle for passenger self-evacuation.

Fuel Tank Inerting System (OBIGGS)

Safety & Emergency

On-Board Inert Gas Generation System using air separation modules to fill fuel tank ullage with nitrogen-enriched air.

Composite Airframe Structures

Structures & Materials

Carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures used in modern aircraft fuselages and wings, offering 20% weight savings over aluminum with superior fatigue resistance.