AIRCRAFT AVIONICS

PRINCIPLE

Zhang Fuchun
Dec 2006
 CHAPTER 2
Measuring of Aircraft’s Attitude

 Measuring of Pitch Angle

and Bank Angle

Measuring of Turn and
Sideslip
 Section 1
Measuring of Pitch Angle and
Bank Angle
1. Definitions of pitch angle and bank angle
 Section 1
Measuring of Pitch Angle and
Bank Angle
1. Definitions of pitch angle and bank angle
Pitch angle:
A pitch angle is the included angle between
longitudinal axis of the aircraft and horizontal
plane.
Bank angle:
it is the included angle between symmetric plane
and vertical plane on longitudinal axis of the
aircraft.
 Section 1
Measuring of Pitch Angle and
Bank Angle
2. Basic conditions to measure pitch angle
and bank angle
Altitude angles are in fact the relative location
between aircrafts’ vertical axis and local vertical
line. If only an artificial vertical line
(artificial lateral system of coordinates) is found
in aircrafts, and compares it with airframe system
of coordinates, we can measure altitude angles.
 Section 1
Measuring of Pitch Angle and
Bank Angle
3. Basic principle of measuring pitch angle
and bank angle
(1) How to simulate vertical line
3. Basic principle of measuring pitch angle
and bank angle
(1) How to simulate vertical line
• To simulate vertical line by pendulum
3. Basic principle of measuring pitch angle
and bank angle
(1) How to simulate vertical line
• To simulate vertical line by pendulum
3. Basic principle of measuring pitch angle
and bank angle
(1) How to simulate vertical line
• To simulate vertical line by rate gyroscope
3. Basic principle of measuring pitch angle
and bank angle
(2) How to simulate vertical line correctly
To take the advantage of gyro’s directional stability of
acceleration resistance and the gyro as the foundation of the
working of instruments; to take the advantage of the nature of
vertical to correct the gyro and make autorotation axis trace
gyro’s vertical line continuously. The gyro can not only
eliminate error of autorotation axis’s shift from vertical line
because of wandering, but also resist interference of
acceleration. Therefore, no matter the aircraft is in level
flight or there is acceleration, autorotation axis of gyro can
simulate
vertical line accurately.
3. Basic principle of measuring pitch angle
and bank angle
(2) How to simulate vertical line correctly

• Composition of correction system

a. Rate gyroscope

b. Liquid pendulum

c. Correction motor
3. Basic principle of measuring pitch angle
and bank angle
(2) How to simulate vertical line correctly

• Error situation analysis

a. Acceleration error

b. Longitudinal acceleration error

c. Banking turn error

3. Basic principle of measuring pitch angle
and bank angle
(3) Bracket servo system

• Function

Control the outer frame axis of gyro and

make it vertical to autorotation axis when bank
angle is arbitrary value. In this way the gyro
can maintain good stability to guarantee the
direction of artificial vertical line not being
interfered by aircrafts’ attitude.
3. Basic principle of measuring pitch angle
and bank angle
(3) Bracket servo system

• Composition

a. Rate gyroscope

b. Liquid pendulum

c. Correction motor
3. Basic principle of measuring pitch angle
and bank angle
(3) Bracket servo system

• Composition
(3) Bracket servo system
• Working situation
 Section 1
Measuring of Pitch Angle and
Bank Angle
4. Indication of pitch angle and bank angle
(1) Inside-out display
 Section 1
Measuring of Pitch Angle and
Bank Angle
4. Indication of pitch angle and bank angle
(2) Outside-in display
 Section 1
Measuring of Pitch Angle and
Bank Angle
4. Indication of pitch angle and bank angle
(3) Basic Working principle of outside-in display
 Section 1
Measuring of Pitch Angle and
Bank Angle
4. Indication of pitch angle and bank angle
(3) Basic Working principle of outside-in display
 Section 2
Measuring of Turn and Sideslip
1. Basic principle of measuring turns
(1) Measuring the turning direction
 Section 2
Measuring of Turn and Sideslip
1. Basic principle of measuring turns
(1) Measuring the turning direction
 Section 2
Measuring of Turn and Sideslip
1. Basic principle of measuring turns
(2) Why does the turn indicator can indicate the
aircraft’s bank angle when the aircraft is in
non-sideslip turning at a certain true speed?
 Section 2
Measuring of Turn and Sideslip
1. Basic principle of measuring turns
(2) Why does the turn indicator can indicate the
aircraft’s bank angle when the aircraft is in
non-sideslip turning at a certain true speed?

G
  tg
v
 Section 2
Measuring of Turn and Sideslip
2. Basic principle of measuring sideslip
(1) Working condition of the bank indicator in level flight
 Section 2
Measuring of Turn and Sideslip
2. Basic principle of measuring sideslip
(2) Basic working condition of the bank indicator when the
aircraft is turning