Self-Made Questions and Answers for Interview
Q: If hydraulic power is required on ground,
which hydraulic system can be used and
why?
A: Both Yellow and Blue hydraulic system can be
used. Because, only Yellow and Blue hydraulic
systems are equipped with electric pump?
Q: Which of the two hydraulic systems, Yellow
and Blue, is generally used on ground? Give
your reasons for that.
A: Normally the yellow hydraulic system used.
Firstly because, if at any point, if we require the
green system to be pressurized for operation of
some component, we can pressurize it with the
yellow hydraulic system through the PTU
(Power Transfer Unit). However, blue system is
not connected to the PTU and hence we won’t
be able to pressurize the green system if
required.
Another reason may be that if cargo doors are
to be operated for any maintenance action, we
need yellow hydraulic system to be pressurized.
Blue system is not available for cargo door
operation.
Q: What have you learnt in the last 6 months?
(Where have you worked recently and what
have you learnt?)
A: I have undergone apprenticeship in Air India
recently. I have performed wheel change, IDG
oil filter change, accumulator air pressure
charging, hydraulic system servicing,
compressor eco wash on Airbus A321.
Q: What is air pressure charge in hydraulic
accumulators in A321?
A: The three system accumulators are pressurized
with N2 to a pressure of 1950 psi. The brake
accumulator is pressurized to 1200 psi
pressure.
Q: Where is brake accumulator located?
A: The brake accumulator is located on the right
hand side of the aft frame of the main landing
gear wheel well area.
Q: How many times we can use the brake
accumulator without the system
pressurized?
A: The brake accumulator is used to supply
pressurized fluid for operation of parking brake.
Without the yellow system pressurized, we can
apply parking brakes for a maximum of 7 times.
Q: Which hydraulic system supplies brake
pressure?
A: The green system pressurized the normal
braking system while the yellow hydraulic
system provides hydraulic pressure for
alternate braking and parking brake.
Q: What are computers used in A321 related to
landing gear and flight controls?
A: Landing gear related computers are
LGCIU – Landing Gear Control and Interface Unit
BSCU – Brake and Steering Control Unit
ABCU – Alternate Braking Control Unit
Flight controls related computers are
ELAC – Elevator Aileron Control Computer
SEC – Spoiler Elevator Computer
FAC – Flight Augmentation Computer
SFCC – Slat Flap Control Computer
FMGC – Flight Management and Guidance
Computer
FCDC – Flight Control Data Concentrators
Q: What is RAT?
A: RAT or Ram Air Turbine is a small unit having
to small aerofoil shaped blade installed in it.
When it is deployed to the incoming airstream,
the blades rotate at high speed providing
emergency drive for the blue hydraulic system
pressure pump.
Q: What are the systems powered by RAT?
A: RAT powers the blue hydraulic system and
provides basic electrical power through
Constant Speed Motor/Generator (CSM/G).
Q: How RAT provides hydraulic and electrical
power? What is the electrical supply from
CSMG?
A: As RAT is deployed, its blades rotates at a high
speed. The shaft is connected to a driving part
of blue hydraulic system emergency pressure
pump. Thus the blue hydraulic system is
pressurized and supply minimum amount of
system pressure for the most basic systems.
Also, the blue hydraulic pressure rotate the
motor part of the CSM/G. The motor shaft is in
turn connected to the AC generator part of the
CSM/G and thus provide the aircraft the
emergency electrical supply of 115 V 400 Hz AC
supply of 5 kVA rating.
Q: What are the conditions that deploys the
RAT?
A: RAT is automatically deployed if it senses
a. Both hydraulic system EDPs failed and loss of
pressure
b. Failure of both AC bus 1 and 2.
c. Aircraft speed is above 100 knots.
Q: What are the electrical supply provided by
the different supply sources of aircraft?
A: The IDGs installed on each engine and the APU
generator supply 115V 400 Hz 3 phase AC
supply of 90 kVA. The emergency generator i.e.
CSM/G supply 115 V 400 Hz 3 phase AC supply
of 5 kVA output. The two batteries of aircraft
are of 23 Ah rating and supplies 24V DC supply
to the DC buses.
The ground electrical supply connected to the
aircraft should supply 115 V 400 Hz 3 phase AC
supply of 90 kVA power rating.
Q: What are the initial and final torque values
for A321 main landing gear wheels?
A: The initial or bearing setting torque value for
A321 main landing gear wheel is 310 ft.-lbs. and
the final torque value is 160 ft.-lbs.
Q: What is eco wash?
A: Eco wash is the name given to compressor wash
being employed in now-a-days.
Q: What is the difference between eco wash and
compressor wash?
A: Eco wash itself is basically a compressor wash.
In early compressor wash, the water being used
in compressor wash are discarded as it is
expelled through the engine core exhaust. But in
eco wash, a screen type filter is used at the
exhaust that recollects the water, filter it and
send for re-use again. Thus, this method of
compressor wash don’t make wastage of water
and hence helps nature to maintain its
ecological balance and that is why this type of
compressor wash is termed as eco wash.
Q: What are the solvents used in compressor
wash?
A: In eco wash, pure demineralized water is used.
Q: How much torque would you apply to
tighten the nut of brake assembly?
A: 150 ft.-lbs.
Q: What is THS? Why is it used?
A: THS or Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer is
actually a horizontal stabilizer, or tail plane as it
is sometimes called, which can change its
incidence angle in flight, automatically or
manually to correct the pitch trim of the
aircraft.
THS is used for long term operation like during
cruise flight. THS automatically changes the
angle of attack of the entire horizontal stabilizer
to maintain a correct angle of attack of the
wings and to provide pitch trim.
Q: Up to what altitude APU can be operated?
A: APU can be operated up to around FL420. Up to
around FL 250, the APU can provide electrical
power of 90 kVA ampere rating as well as
pneumatic power for air
conditioning/pressurization and wing anti-
icing. After this altitude, the APU is incapable of
providing pneumatic power and electrical
power it provide drops to power rating of 66
kVA.
Q: In aircraft operation, the centre tank is used
up before wing tanks? Why?
A: In normal operation, first fuel from the centre
tank is used and then from wing inner fuel cell
and at last from the wing outer cell. The centre
 tank is used first in order to obtain better b. Low Pressure (LP) compressor and
stability of the aircraft. Moreover, if in case any intermediate case
fuel pump failure occurs, the fuel can flow from c. High Pressure (HP) system
wing to engine under gravity also which is not d. Low Pressure turbine
possible from the centre tank. e. Accessory Gearbox

Q: How APU provide constant electrical supply? Q: What are the safety precautions will you
take before re-filling the hydraulic
A: Once acceleration phase of starting cycle is reservoirs?
completed, the APU rpm is governed by fly-
weight mechanism. Any change in the rpm of A: The safety precautions for servicing of hydraulic
the output shaft causes the force on the reservoirs can be stated as below:
flyweight to change which increases or
decreases the rpm of the shaft to maintain the a. Hydraulic system depressurized.
pre-set rpm. Thus the APU generator can supply b. All slats and flaps are retracted.
electrical supply of constant frequency at 400 c. Thrust reverser is closed.
Hz 115 V. d. Landing gear doors closed.
e. Cargo doors closed.
Q: Which engine is installed in our (Indigo f. System and brake accumulator pressure are
Airlines) aircraft? proper.
g. Reservoir air pressure is 50 psi.
A: IAE V2527-A5.
Q: How will you drain the reservoir if it is
Q: What does each digit and character overfilled?
specifies?
A: To drain the excess amount of fluid filled, a
A: IAE stands for the manufacturer International drain port is provided at the bottom of the
Aero Engine. yellow and green reservoir. For blue system, a
V25 designates that this engine comes under drain port is provided on the blue hydraulic
original V2500 series engines. panel.

27 designates the rated sea-level thrust of the Q: How APU is started?

engine as 27,000 lbs. The actual value is 26,500 A: To start the APU
lbs.
a. Put the BAT switches ON.
A stands for or means that the engine is built to b. Push the MASTER SWITCH. A blue light will
install on aircraft of Airbus Industrie. illuminate.
5 designates the mechanical standard of the c. Wait until FLAP OPEN indication appears on the
engine. ECAM System Display.
d. Once intake flap is open, push the START
Q: What are the specification of this engine? button. The blue START light will illuminate.
e. The EGT and RPM will start to rise. Monitor EGT
A: It is a two-spool high-bypass ratio engine rise and maximum EGT during starting. Should
having take-off thrust of 30,000 lbs. flat rated to the EGT crosses the maximum starting limit,
approximately +30 degree Celsius. The engine immediately press the MASTER SWITCH to
has a single stage fan and 4 booster stages close.
driven by 5 low pressure turbine and 10 high f. As soon as the RPM reaches 95%, the blue
pressure compressor stages driven by 2 high START light will go out and 2 seconds after, the
pressure turbine. APU page of ECAM will indicate AVAIL in green,
Q: What are the modules of this engine? indicating APU is now available.
g. Push the EXT PWR switch to OFF.
A: There are 5 modules in this engine. They are h. Put the APU BLEED ON, indicated by a blue
light.
a. Fan
Q: What are the meanings of different colours
of the annunciator lights in cockpit?
A: RED: It indicates a failure in the system that
requires immediate attention and action of the
crew.
AMBER: It indicates a failure or malfunction of
a system that requires crew awareness,
although not necessarily requires any
immediate action.
WHITE: It indicates a switch is either in an
abnormal position or a maintenance switch is
on.
GREEN: It indicates normal operation of a back-
up system.
BLUE: It indicates normal operation of a
temporarily used system.
Q: What is flap asymmetry? What will be the
action should there is a flap asymmetry?
advanced above the cruise position. However,
the full authority type EEC takes control of
engine during its entire range of operation –
starting from reverse to maximum take-off
thrust. The full authority type EEC is called
FADEC or Full Authority Digital Electronic
Control.
Q: Why the same oil is used in IDG and Engine?
A: Basically, this is as per the manufacturer’s
recommendation to use the same oil in both IDG
and Engine. The reason behind it may be
pointed out as to prevent intermixing of
lubricating oil in case of leakage of any
component or due to human error. Moreover,
using the same oil in an aircraft reduces the
number of spare parts required for entire oil
system and also prevent human error of
interchanging spare parts between different
components using different oil.
Q: How torque wrenches are classified?

A: If flaps of left and right wing are moving at A: Torque wrenches are classified by
different speed or the inboard and outboard
flap of the same wing are moving a different a. Units of measurement e.g. foot-pound, inch-
speeds, then one flap will travel to a higher pound etc.
angle than the other. This condition is called b. Type of drive e.g. flexible beam, micrometer,
flap asymmetry. electrical setting etc.
c. Range e.g. 700 feet-pounds, 1200 inch-pounds
Flap asymmetry is detected by the Asymmetry etc.
Position Pick-off Unit or in short APPU. The
signal is sent to the SFCC. If flap asymmetry has Q: State the ATA-100 codes.
reached a certain value, the SFCC will command A:
the Wing Tip Brakes to activate. Then the WTB
will apply the brakes and will stop any further ATA SUBJECT
movement of the flaps. Once WTB is applied, it CODE
can only be released on ground. 05
08 Weight & Balance
Q: What are the differences between EEC and 11 Placards and Markings
FADEC? 12 Servicing
14 Hardware
A: EEC or Electronic Engine Control is basically a 18 Helicopter Vibration
20 Standard Maintenance Procedure
computer that monitors and controls engine
21 Air Conditioning
parameters and performance. The EEC receives 22 Auto Pilots
various inputs and calculate the amount of fuel 23 Communication System
flow, VSV, VBV position etc. depending on the 24 Electrical System
parameters and sends signals to maintain the 25 Equipment & Furnishing
engine performance. 26 Fire Protection System
27 Flight Control Surface
The EEC may be of supervisory or full authority 28 Fuel
type. A supervisory EEC takes control of engine 29 Hydraulic System
30 Ice & Rain Protection
power and performance only when throttle is
31 Instrument
 ATA SUBJECT illumination of all lights and master warning
CODE annunciator light.
32 Landing Gear 3. Put the APU MASTER SWITCH to ON.
33 Lights
4. Wait for the lower ECAM page to show
34 Navigation
35 Oxygen FLAPS OPEN indication.
36 Pneumatic 5. Press the START switch in the APU panel. A
37 Vacuum blue light is come on.
38 Water/Waste 6. Monitor the APU Page of the ECAM for EGT
45 Central Maintenance System and RPM. Once acceleration is complete, the
49 Airborne Auxiliary Power or APU page will display AVAIL in green, indicating
51 Standard Practices/Structure
successful APU start and availability.
52 Doors
53 Fuselage 7. Press the APU BLEED in the Air Conditioning
54 Nacelles/Pylons panel to ON and put the EXT PWR switch to
55 Stabilizers OFF.
56 Windows 8. Put all the FUEL BOOST PUMP switches to
57 Wings ON.
61 Propeller/Propulsors 9. Put the BEACON and STROBE lights to ON.
62 Main Rotor
10. Carry out the Engine Fire test with the help
63 Main Rotor Drive
64 Tail Rotor of the two test switches. Successful fire test
65 Tail Rotor Drive will be indicated by MASTER WARNING
67 Rotors Flight Control annunciator light and loud warning horn.
71 Powerplant 11. Check for all cargo door and passenger door
72 Turbine/Turboprop Engine position for CLOSED. It can be checked with
73 Engine Fuel and Control
the DOORS page in ECAM.
74 Ignition
75 Air 12. Ask for ground clearance for engine start.
76 Engine Controls 13. Once ground clearance obtained, put the
77 Engine Indicating Engine MODE SELECTOR switch to
78 Engine Exhaust IGN/START.
79 Engine Oil 14. Put the Engine MASTER SWITCH of Engine
80 Starting No. 2 to ON.
81 Turbocharging
15. Engine starting motoring and light up will be
82 Accessory Gearboxes
85 Reciprocating Engine indicated by increase in EGT and RPM.
Monitor the Oil Pressure for indication
within the manufacturer’s prescribed time
Q: Explain the engine starting procedure limit.
starting of APU start. 16. Once EGT and RPM stabilizes for Engine No.
2, put the Engine MASTER SWITCH of Engine
A:
No. 1 to ON.
1. We will first start with carrying out the pre- 17. Monitor the EGT, RPM and Oil Pressure for
start procedure. indication indicating successful engine start.
a. Throttle lever is at IDLE. 18. Put the Engine MODE SELECTOR switch to
b. Landing gear lever is at DOWN. NORM.
c. Parking brakes are set to ON.
Q: Tell me about IDG?
d. Flaps are UP.
Or
e. Spoilers are RETRACTED.
How the IDG functions?
f. Engine Master Switches are OFF.
g. Engine Mode Selector switch is in A: IDG or Integrated Drive Generator is an AC
NORM. generator integrated with a Constant Speed
2. With external power available, we will carry Drive or CSD. The CSD is driven by the
out APU fire test by pressing the TEST Accessory Gear Box (AGB) which is in turn
switch. Successful fire test is indicated by driven by the engine. Since engine speed varies
 with operation, the input to the CSD also varies.
But, irrespective of variation in CSD input rpm,
the output of the CSD remains always constant
which is delivered to the generator. Thus the
generator is rotated at a constant rpm and thus
produces constant frequency of 400 Hz of the
AC it produces.

The IDG has its own oil supply and hence is

independent of engine oil system. It is a Line
Replaceable Unit.

Q: What is LRU? Mention some of the LRUs in

engine and airframe?

A: LRU or Line Replaceable Unit is a complex unit

of the aircraft which can be quickly and easily
removed while the aircraft is at bay or ramp
area. It is a sealed unit designed for quick
removal from the aircraft.

Some of the LRUs in engine are IDG, LPTACC,

HPTACC, Oil pump, HP Shutoff Valve.

Some of the LRUs in airframe are all

communication and navigation antennas, black
box etc.

Q: What is the range of fuelling?

A: A circular area of 6 meter radius from the

fuelling point or fuelling nozzle is termed as the
range of fuelling.