Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Flight Management System shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Flight Management System offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Flight Management System at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Flight Management System? Wrong! If the Flight Management System is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Flight Management System then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Flight Management System? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Flight Management System and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Flight Management System wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Flight Management System then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Flight Management System site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Flight Management System, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Flight Management System, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
A
flight management system or FMS is a
computerized avionics component found on most airliner and business jet aircraft to assist pilots in navigation, flight planning, and aircraft control functions.
It is considered to be composed of three major components: FMC (Flight Management Computer), AFS (autopilot), and Navigation System including IRS (Inertial guidance system) and
GPS.
EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System) is not an FMS component, though it is an important interface between FMS and pilots.
FMC is taken as the core of FMS, which works as a head of the whole system. Its primary function is to:
- Give out real-time lateral navigation information by showing the route programmed by the pilots, as well as other pertinent information from the database, such as standard departure and arrival procedures. This information combined with the location of the aircraft creates a moving map display.
- Calculate performance data and predicted vertical profile. Based on weight of the aircraft, Cost Index and Cruise Altitude, preferably with predicted wind, FMC calculate a most fuel efficient vertical path that AFS would follow if AFS is engaged and both of VNAV and LNAV are engaged.
Auto Flight System
If FMC is taken as the "head" of the system who does the calculation and gives out command, AFS is the system who accomplishes it. AFS is composed of AFDS (A/P-
Autopilot-F/D-(
Flight director (aviation)) and A/T(Autothrottle) if the aircraft is equipped with A/T. It is the one who flies the airplane with one hand on the control wheel (when A/P is engaged), and the other hand on the throttle (when A/T is engaged). Only when the mode LNAV and VNAV, or LNAV, or VNAV is engaged, AFS would totally or partly follow the flight path FMC commands.
Navigation System
The Navigation System is mainly composed of IRS (Inertial guidance system) or AHRS (
Attitude and Heading Reference Systems) and GPS (GPS), as well as existing physical
navaids such as
VHF omnidirectional range-
Distance Measuring Equipment. The IRS or AHRS provides raw information that is crucial to flight, such as attitude and heading. The Navigation System sends navigation information to the FMC to calculate, to the AFS to control the aircraft, and to the EFIS system to display.
EFIS
EFIS, as a display system displays flight information including command from FMC and real-time information such as attitude, heading, position, planned route and flight track, etc. It is composed of EADI (Electronic Attitude Display Indicator) and EHSI (Electronic Horizontal Status Indicator), or on some aircraft PFD (Primary Flight Display) and ND (Navigation Display). Either displays lateral or vertical flight information.
External links
Makers
- CMC Electronics
- Honeywell
- Rockwell Collins
- Thales Aerospace
- Smiths Aerospace
A
flight management system or FMS is a
computerized
avionics component found on most
airliner and business jet aircraft to assist pilots in navigation, flight planning, and aircraft control functions.
It is considered to be composed of three major components: FMC (Flight Management Computer), AFS (
autopilot), and
Navigation System including IRS (
Inertial guidance system) and GPS.
EFIS (
Electronic Flight Instrument System) is not an FMS component, though it is an important interface between FMS and pilots.
FMC is taken as the core of FMS, which works as a head of the whole system. Its primary function is to:
- Give out real-time lateral navigation information by showing the route programmed by the pilots, as well as other pertinent information from the database, such as standard departure and arrival procedures. This information combined with the location of the aircraft creates a moving map display.
- Calculate performance data and predicted vertical profile. Based on weight of the aircraft, Cost Index and Cruise Altitude, preferably with predicted wind, FMC calculate a most fuel efficient vertical path that AFS would follow if AFS is engaged and both of VNAV and LNAV are engaged.
Auto Flight System
If FMC is taken as the "head" of the system who does the calculation and gives out command, AFS is the system who accomplishes it. AFS is composed of AFDS (A/P-Autopilot-F/D-(
Flight director (aviation)) and A/T(Autothrottle) if the aircraft is equipped with A/T. It is the one who flies the airplane with one hand on the control wheel (when A/P is engaged), and the other hand on the throttle (when A/T is engaged). Only when the mode LNAV and VNAV, or LNAV, or VNAV is engaged, AFS would totally or partly follow the flight path FMC commands.
Navigation System
The Navigation System is mainly composed of IRS (Inertial guidance system) or AHRS (
Attitude and Heading Reference Systems) and GPS (GPS), as well as existing physical
navaids such as VHF omnidirectional range-Distance Measuring Equipment. The IRS or AHRS provides raw information that is crucial to flight, such as attitude and heading. The Navigation System sends navigation information to the FMC to calculate, to the AFS to control the aircraft, and to the EFIS system to display.
EFIS
EFIS, as a display system displays flight information including command from FMC and real-time information such as attitude, heading, position, planned route and flight track, etc. It is composed of EADI (Electronic Attitude Display Indicator) and EHSI (Electronic Horizontal Status Indicator), or on some aircraft PFD (Primary Flight Display) and ND (Navigation Display). Either displays lateral or vertical flight information.
External links
Makers
- CMC Electronics
- Honeywell
- Rockwell Collins
- Thales Aerospace
- Smiths Aerospace
