AUTO FLIGHT Vol.

1 22−10−1
Autopilot
Rev. 65, Apr 22/2016

1. INTRODUCTION
The Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) provides a two axes, dual channel, fail-passive
autopilot (AP). The fail-passive autopilot system is protected against internal single hardware
faults, and limits any malfunctioning commands to a response that is easily controlled by the pilot.
Command inputs to the ailerons and elevators are provided by servos controlled by the Flight
Control Computers (FCCs). The FCCs input the yaw damper system to control the rudder. The
autopilot controls the airplane in response to flight director commands by actuating the
appropriate control surfaces.
To engage the autopilot, the following is required:
• Both flight control computers are operative,
• At least one yaw damper is engaged,
• Both Attitude Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) are operable,
• At least one Air Data Computer (ADC) is operative, and
• There is no significant instability of the airplane.
Turbulence mode reduces autopilot gain so that flight control computer response to turbulent
flight conditions is slowed and airplane motion is smoother. On approach, an on-side localizer
capture automatically clears the autopilot turbulence mode.

Flight Crew Operating Manual

CSP A−013−182

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Autopilot
Rev. 65, Apr 22/2016

FCP

IAPS
PFD 1 PFD 2

FCC 1 FCC 2
AUTOPILOT AUTOPILOT
FUNCTION FUNCTION

<0015> <0015>

AHRS 1 AHRS 2
(IRS) (IRS)

LEFT YAW RIGHT YAW

DAMPER DAMPER

AILERON SERVO ELEVATOR SERVO

ADC 1 ADC 2

HORIZONTAL
STABILIZER
PILOT TRIM CONTROL COPILOT
CONTROL WHEEL UNIT (HSTCU) CONTROL WHEEL

Autopilot – Schematic
Figure 22−10−1

Flight Crew Operating Manual

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Flight Control Panel

Centre Glareshield

<0015>

NOTE
Green indicator lights on either
Primary Flight Display
side of switch indicate engaged.
Pilot and Copilot Instrument Panels

Autopilot – Control and Indication

Figure 22−10−2

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Autopilot
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Flight Control Panel

AP DISC Centre Glareshield
Lowering bar disengages autopilot. AP / SP DISC (red)
Red line becomes visible. When pressed, disengages
autopilot and deactivates
stick pusher. When
released, stick pusher
Take−Off/ Go−Around system is immediately
(TOGA) Switches reactivated, but autopilot
Momentary pushbutton remains disengaged.
switches associated with
the take−off/ go−around
mode of the flight director.

Pilot Control Wheel

(Copilot Opposite)

CAVALRY DISC
CHARGE Used to disengage
yaw dampers.

Yaw Damper Panel

Centre Pedestal

Autopilot – Controls
Figure 22−10−3

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Autopilot
Rev. 65, Apr 22/2016

The autopilot can be disengaged manually by any of the methods that follow:
• Pushing either AP/SP DISC switch on the control wheels,
• Pushing the AP ENG switch on the flight control panel,
• Lowering the AP DISC switch-bar on the flight control panel (a red line becomes visible),
• Operating the stabilizer trim switch on the control wheels,
• Pressing either TOGA switch on the thrust levers, or
• Pressing the yaw damper DISC push-button on the yaw damper panel.
Disengaging the autopilot causes a cavalry charge aural alert, and the AP indication on the
Primary Flight Display (PFD) turns red. The autopilot disengage warning will automatically cancel
after approximately two repetitions of the cavalry charge, when a disengagement is mutually
induced.
Automatic disengagement of the autopilot occurs:
• if both yaw dampers are disengaged or fail,
• if a failure condition is detected by the FCC monitoring circuits,
• if a stall warning occurs, or
• during windshear avoidance procedures.
The autopilot is automatically disengaged two seconds after a windshear warning (if the autopilot
has not already been disengaged). During those two seconds, the autopilot will follow the
windshear commands.
In the event that the autopilot is disengaged due to a system fault, pressing the AP/SP DISC
switch or either TOGA switch will cancel the red flashing AP indication on the PFD and silence
the aural warning.
The automatic flight control system monitors both axes of the autopilot when engaged. If a control
surface is detected as significantly out of trim, an indication will appear on the PFD and a caution
message will be displayed on the EICAS primary page to indicate in which direction the control
surface is out of trim.

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Rev. 65, Apr 22/2016

Elevator Mistrim Indicator (yellow)

Indicates that the horizontal stabilizer
is in a mistrim condition, when the
autopilot is engaged.

<0015>

Aileron Mistrim Indicator (yellow)

Iindicates that the ailerons are in a
mistrim condition, when the autopilot
Primary Flight Display
is engaged.
Pilot and Copilot Instrument Panels

Autopilot – PFD Flags

Figure 22−10−4

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"Config autopilot"

YAW DAMPER Caution (amber)

Comes on when both yaw damper channels
(1 & 2) are off or when all IAPS input busses
are invalid.
AP TRIM IS LWD Caution (amber)
Comes on to indicate an out−of−trim
condition in the roll axis (left wing down).
CONFIG AP AP TRIM IS ND Caution (amber)
YAW DAMPER Comes on to indicate
AP TRIM IS LWD
AP TRIM IS ND
an out−of−trim condition
AP TRIM IS NU in the pitch axis (nose down).
AP TRIM IS RWD
AP PITCH TRIM AP TRIM IS NU Caution (amber)
Comes on to indicate an out−of−trim
condition in the pitch axis (nose up).
AP TRIM IS RWD Caution (amber)
Comes on to indicate an out−of−trim
condition in the roll axis (right wing down).

AP PITCH TRIM Caution (amber)

Comes on to indicate a failure in the
autopilot pitch trim system.

Primary Page
YD 1 INOP
YD 2 INOP

YD 1, 2 INOP Status
(white)
Comes on to indicate
that either yaw damper
channel is inoperative.

Status Page

Autopilot – EICAS Messages

Figure 22−10−5

Flight Crew Operating Manual

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Flight Crew Operating Manual

CSP A−013−182

Print Date: 2021-04-11