Chapter 1 · Electronic Instrument Systems
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Basic T | ASI top left · attitude top centre · altimeter top right · heading bottom centre | 5.1 |
| Layout | PFD outboard · ND inboard · F/O side mirror image | 5.1 |
| Upper centre | Boeing EICAS (primary engine + alerts) · Airbus E/WD | 5.1 |
| Lower centre | Boeing secondary EICAS / MFD · Airbus SD (system pages) | 5.1 |
| Symbol generators | usually 3 (Capt, F/O, standby) · Airbus DMC 1, 2, 3 | 5.1 |
| Reversion | PFD has priority → moves to ND screen · upper centre → lower | 5.1 |
| Speed trend vector | speed in ≈ 10 s | 5.1 |
| ND modes | ROSE VOR / ILS · ARC / MAP · PLAN (north up) | 5.1 |
| Colours | red warning · amber caution · green active · white scales · cyan selected · magenta target | 5.1 |
| Standby | independent sensors and power (battery / essential bus) · ISIS + compass | 5.1 |
Chapter 2 · Numbering Systems
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Binary places | 1 · 2 · 4 · 8 · 16 · 32 · 64 · 128 · 256 · 512 · 1 024 | 5.2 |
| Octal places | 1 · 8 · 64 · 512 · 4 096 | 5.2 |
| Hex places | 1 · 16 · 256 · 4 096 · 65 536 | 5.2 |
| Hex digits | A 10 · B 11 · C 12 · D 13 · E 14 · F 15 | 5.2 |
| Bits per digit | octal 3 · hex 4 (nibble) · byte = 8 bits = 2 hex digits | 5.2 |
| Codes in n bits | 2ⁿ · max value 2ⁿ − 1 · 8 bits 255 · 12 bits 4 095 | 5.2 |
| Conversion from decimal | divide by base · remainders read bottom-up | 5.2 |
| FF₁₆ | = 1111 1111₂ = 377₈ = 255₁₀ | 5.2 |
| BCD | 4 bits per decimal digit · 59 = 0101 1001 | 5.2 |
| Two's complement | invert + 1 · 8-bit range −128 … +127 | 5.2 |
| Gray code | one bit changes per step · encoders, Gillham altitude code | 5.2 |
| Squawk codes | 4 octal digits · 12 bits · 4 096 codes | 5.2 |
Chapter 3 · Data Conversion
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| ADC steps | sample (S/H) → quantise → encode | 5.3 |
| Resolution | 1 LSB = full scale ÷ 2ⁿ · 8 bits = 1/256 ≈ 0.4% | 5.3 |
| 10 V, 8 bits | ≈ 39 mV per step · 12 bits ≈ 2.4 mV | 5.3 |
| Quantisation error | max ±½ LSB | 5.3 |
| Nyquist | sample > 2 × highest frequency · else aliasing | 5.3 |
| Flash ADC | 2ⁿ − 1 comparators · fastest · 3 bits = 7 | 5.3 |
| SAR ADC | n steps · MSB first · most common | 5.3 |
| Ramp ADC | slow · time varies with input (≤ 2ⁿ clocks) | 5.3 |
| Dual-slope ADC | slowest · most accurate · rejects noise · DMMs | 5.3 |
| DACs | binary-weighted (R, 2R, 4R, 8R…) · R-2R ladder (two values) | 5.3 |
| DAC output | staircase → low-pass smoothing filter | 5.3 |
| DAC terms | settling time ±½ LSB · monotonic · offset, gain, glitch | 5.3 |
Chapter 4 · Data Buses and Aircraft Networks
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| ARINC 429 | simplex · 1 TX : ≤ 20 RX · twisted shielded pair | 5.4 |
| 429 speeds | high 100 kbps · low 12–14.5 kbps | 5.4 |
| 429 signal | BPRZ · HI +10 V = 1 · LO −10 V = 0 · NULL 0 V · self-clocking | 5.4 |
| 429 word | 32 bits · label 1–8 (octal) · SDI 9–10 · data 11–29 · SSM 30–31 · odd parity 32 | 5.4 |
| 429 BNR SSM | 00 failure warning · 01 NCD · 10 functional test · 11 normal | 5.4 |
| 429 gap | ≥ 4 bit times between words | 5.4 |
| ARINC 629 | B777 · 2 Mbps · ≤ 120 terminals · current-mode couplers · timing gaps | 5.4 |
| MIL-STD-1553B | 1 Mbps · Manchester II · half-duplex · BC + ≤ 31 RTs · dual bus | 5.4 |
| AFDX | ARINC 664 p7 · switched full-duplex Ethernet · 10/100 Mbps · VL + BAG · networks A/B | 5.4 |
| AFDX aircraft | A380 · A350 · B787 (CDN) | 5.4 |
| Other | ARINC 717 FDR · ARINC 453 weather radar · CAN = ARINC 825 | 5.4 |
Chapter 5 · Logic Circuits
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| AND · OR | AND 1 if all 1 (0001) · OR 1 if any 1 (0111) | 5.5 |
| NAND · NOR | NAND 0 only if all 1 (1110) · NOR 1 only if all 0 (1000) | 5.5 |
| XOR · XNOR | XOR 1 if different (0110) · XNOR 1 if same (1001) | 5.5 |
| IEC | & AND · ≥1 OR · =1 XOR · 1 buffer · ○ invert | 5.5 |
| Truth table | 2ⁿ rows · 3 inputs → 8 rows | 5.5 |
| Switches | series AND · parallel OR · NC contact NOT | 5.5 |
| Relay NC contacts | parallel = NAND · series = NOR | 5.5 |
| Diode logic | pull-up + diodes to inputs = AND · pull-down + diodes to output = OR | 5.5 |
| Universal | NAND, NOR · NAND with tied inputs = NOT | 5.5 |
| De Morgan | NAND = OR with inverted inputs · NOR = AND with inverted inputs | 5.5 |
| Negative logic | AND ↔ OR · NAND ↔ NOR | 5.5 |
Chapter 6 · Basic Computer Structure
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Units | bit · nibble 4 · byte 8 · word 8/16/32/64 bits | 5.6 |
| Kilo / mega | 1 KB = 2¹⁰ = 1 024 bytes · 1 MB = 2²⁰ | 5.6 |
| CPU | control unit + ALU + registers (PC, accumulator, flags) + clock | 5.6 |
| Buses | address one-way from CPU · data two-way · control (R/W, IRQ) | 5.6 |
| Addressing | n lines → 2ⁿ locations · 16 lines = 65 536 | 5.6 |
| RAM | volatile · SRAM flip-flops, no refresh · DRAM capacitors, refresh | 5.6 |
| ROM / PROM | ROM factory mask · PROM once by user (fuses) | 5.6 |
| EPROM / EEPROM | EPROM UV window · EEPROM electrical, byte by byte | 5.6 |
| Flash | electrical, in blocks · loadable software, cards | 5.6 |
| Mass storage | magnetic · optical · solid-state | 5.6 |
| LRU features | ARINC 600 · program pins · NVM fault log · BITE · hold-up · cooling | 5.6 |
Chapter 7 · Fibre Optics
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| TIR | core n₁ > cladding n₂ · sin θc = n₂/n₁ | 5.10 |
| Numerical aperture | NA = sin θa = √(n₁² − n₂²) ≈ 0.2–0.3 (multimode) | 5.10 |
| Core sizes | single-mode ≈ 9 µm · multimode 50 / 62.5 µm · cladding 125 µm · POF ≈ 1 mm | 5.10 |
| Wavelengths | 850 · 1 300 · 1 550 nm (infrared, invisible) | 5.10 |
| Sources / detectors | LED, laser diode / PIN, APD photodiode | 5.10 |
| Decibels | 3 dB = ½ power · 10 dB = 1/10 | 5.10 |
| Splices | fusion ≈ 0.1 dB (lowest) · mechanical (sleeve + gel) | 5.10 |
| Couplers | star (transmissive / reflective) · tee | 5.10 |
| Data bus | control terminal + remote terminals · MIL-STD-1773 | 5.10 |
| Handling | min bend radius ≈ 10–20 × diameter · dust caps · inspect-clean-inspect | 5.10 |
| Safety | never look into a fibre · collect off-cuts | 5.10 |
Chapter 8 · Electronic Displays
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| CRT gun | heater → cathode (emits) → grid (brightness) → anodes (accelerate, focus) | 5.11 |
| CRT deflection | electrostatic plates (Y vertical, X horizontal) · electromagnetic yoke | 5.11 |
| CRT EHT | ≈ 10–25 kV · aquadag coating to final anode | 5.11 |
| Writing | raster = line by line · stroke = draws symbols | 5.11 |
| Colour CRT | 3 guns + shadow mask + RGB phosphor dots | 5.11 |
| CRT hazards | implosion · stored HV · heavy, hot | 5.11 |
| LED | forward-biased PN · material sets colour · ≈ 1.5–3.5 V · series resistor | 5.11 |
| 7-segment | a–g + dp · '5' = a f g c d · '1' = b c · BCD decoder | 5.11 |
| TN LCD | crossed polarisers · no V = bright (twist) · V = dark · AC drive | 5.11 |
| AMLCD | TFT per sub-pixel · RGB filters · LED backlight | 5.11 |
| LCD limits | backlight needed · viewing angle · cold response · pixel defects | 5.11 |
Chapter 9 · Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet walk | ≈ 35 000 V at 10–20% RH · ≈ 1 500 V at 65–90% RH | 5.12 |
| Poly bag lifted | ≈ 20 000 V dry · ≈ 1 200 V humid | 5.12 |
| Feel threshold | ≈ 3 000 V · devices can fail < 100 V | 5.12 |
| Human body model | 100 pF through 1 500 Ω | 5.12 |
| Damage | catastrophic (found by test) · latent (passes test, fails later — worse) | 5.12 |
| Symbols | hand + slash = ESD-sensitive · hand + arc = ESD-protective | 5.12 |
| Wrist strap | ≈ 1 MΩ series resistor · test before use | 5.12 |
| Dissipative | ≈ 10⁶–10⁹ Ω surface resistance · drains slowly | 5.12 |
| Packaging | shielding (metallised, Faraday) · conductive (black) · antistatic pink = no shield | 5.12 |
| Humidity | keep ≈ 40–60% RH | 5.12 |
| On aircraft | power off · strap to ESD jack · touch case · no pins · caps + bag | 5.12 |
Chapter 10 · Software Management Control
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | DO-178C / ED-12C (software) · DO-254 / ED-80 (hardware) · DO-200 (data) | 5.13 |
| Level A | catastrophic · 71 objectives | 5.13 |
| Level B | hazardous · 69 objectives | 5.13 |
| Level C | major · 62 objectives | 5.13 |
| Level D / E | minor · 26 objectives / no safety effect · 0 | 5.13 |
| Software types | FLS field-loadable · OSS option-selectable · UMS user-modifiable | 5.13 |
| Nav database | 28-day AIRAC · two cycles held (active + next) | 5.13 |
| Loading standards | ARINC 615 portable · 615A network · 665 load files + CRC | 5.13 |
| Procedure | approved data → exact P/N → load → verify → test → record + CRS | 5.13 |
| Never | load unapproved, 'newer' or copied software · modify certified code | 5.13 |
Chapter 11 · Electromagnetic Environment
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| EMC / EMI | EMC = goal (coexist) · EMI = the disturbance | 5.14 |
| Coupling | conducted · capacitive (E-field) · inductive (H-field) · radiated | 5.14 |
| HIRF | external transmitters · ≈ 10 kHz – 40 GHz · CS-25.1317 | 5.14 |
| Test standard | DO-160 / ED-14 | 5.14 |
| Lightning | ≈ 1 strike per aircraft per year · typical 20–30 kA · severe ≈ 200 kA | 5.14 |
| Zones | 1A/1B initial attachment · 2A/2B swept · 3 conducted only | 5.14 |
| Direct effects | burns, pits, punctures, arcing, heating, fuel ignition risk | 5.14 |
| Indirect effects | induced transients in wiring | 5.14 |
| Static dischargers | P-static radio noise — not lightning protection | 5.14 |
| Bonding | milliohm meter · few mΩ · clean faces, re-protect | 5.14 |
| Shields | 360° backshell best · no long pigtails · keep ferrites | 5.14 |
Chapter 12 · Digital Aircraft Systems I — BITE, ACARS, FMS, IRS and Fly-by-Wire
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| BITE | power-up · continuous · initiated (ground) · faults in NVM | 5.15 |
| Central maintenance | A320 CFDS · A330 CMS · A350/A380 OMS · B747-400 CMC · B777/787 CMCF | 5.15 |
| ACARS units | MU / CMU / ATSU · MCDU · printer · VHF / HF / SATCOM | 5.15 |
| OOOI | Out (gate) · Off (ground) · On (ground) · In (gate) | 5.15 |
| ACARS speeds | VHF ACARS ≈ 2.4 kbps · VDL Mode 2 ≈ 31.5 kbps | 5.15 |
| FMS | FMC + MCDU · NDB 28 days · navigation, planning, guidance, performance | 5.15 |
| IRS | strapdown · 3 RLG + 3 accelerometers · Sagnac · dither | 5.15 |
| IRS alignment | ≈ 10 min, stationary · modes OFF / ALIGN / NAV / ATT | 5.15 |
| IRS drift | ≈ ≤ 2 NM/h unaided · GNSS hybrid removes it | 5.15 |
| FBW laws | normal (protections) → alternate → direct → mechanical backup | 5.15 |
| FBW safety | redundancy · command/monitor · dissimilarity · segregation | 5.15 |
Chapter 13 · Digital Aircraft Systems II — ECAM, EICAS, EFIS, GNSS, TCAS, IMA, Cabin and Information Systems
| Item | Fact / typical value | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| ECAM computers | SDAC acquire · FWC warn/aural · DMC images · ECP | 5.15 |
| ECAM levels | 3 red CRC + master WARN · 2 amber SC + master CAUT · 1 amber silent | 5.15 |
| EICAS levels | warning red · caution amber · advisory amber indented · memo white · status · maintenance | 5.15 |
| GNSS | GPS ≥ 24 SVs, 6 planes, ≈ 20 200 km · L1 1 575.42 MHz | 5.15 |
| GNSS fix | 4 SVs (x, y, z, clock) · RAIM 5 detect / 6 exclude | 5.15 |
| Augmentation | SBAS: WAAS, EGNOS, GAGAN, MSAS · GBAS (GLS) | 5.15 |
| TCAS II | 1030 MHz interrogate · 1090 MHz reply · TA ≈ 20–48 s · RA ≈ 15–35 s | 5.15 |
| TCAS symbols | hollow diamond other · filled diamond proximate · amber circle TA · red square RA | 5.15 |
| TCAS rules | RAs vertical only · coordinated via Mode S · TA only near ground | 5.15 |
| IMA | shared partitioned modules · RDCs · 777 AIMS · A380/A350 CPIOM · 787 CCS | 5.15 |
| Cabin | CIDS: 2 directors + DEUs + FAP · IFE · connectivity | 5.15 |