ATA 23 -

Communication
Prepared by: Engr. James Sinoben
Radio Communication
• Used for communications to and from the aircraft.
• Much of aviation communication and navigation is accomplished
through the use of radio waves. Communication by radio was the first
use of radio frequency transmissions in aviation.

Radio Communication is the transmission of signals by modulation of

electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light.
Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields
thst pass through the afr and the vacuum of space. Information is cam·ed by
systematically changing (modulating) some properly of the radiated waves such as
amplitude, frequency, or phase
Radio Communication
• Radio communication requires the use of both transmitting and receiving equipme
nt.
• The transmitting equipment,which includes a radio transmitter and a transmitting
anlenna, is installed at the point from which messages are transmitted.

• The receiving equipment,whichincludes a radio receiver and a receiving antenna

,is inslalled at the poinl at which messages are received.
Radio Communication
• Transmitter - consists of a precise oscillating circuit or oscillator that creates an
AC carrier wave frequency. A transmitter prepares and sends signals to an
antenna that, in the process described above, radiates the waves out into
the atmosphere.
• Receiver - antenna captures the desired carrier wave as well as many other
radio waves that are present in the atmosphere. A receiver is needed to
isolate the desired carrier wave with its information. The receiver also has
circuitry to separate theinformat on signal from the carrier wave. It prepares it for
output to a device,such as speakers or a display screen.
Radio Communication
Transceiver

•A transceiveris a communication radio that transmits and receives.The same frequencyis used tor
both.

•Transcejyers are half duplex systems where communication can occur in both directions
but only one party can speak whi e the other must listen.

•The push to talk (PTT) switch blocks the receiving circuitry and allows the transmitter
circuitry to be active.
•VHF aircraft communication radios are usually transceWers.
Radio Waves
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Types of Radio Waves
Low Frequency (LF) and Medium Frequency (MF)
Radio \Vaves produced at these frequencies rang ng from 3kHz to 3mHz are knOWT'l as ground \Yaves or surface
waves.
Th s is because they follow the curvature of the earth as they travel from the broadcast antenna to the receiv;ng
antenna.
Automatic direcllon findets (AOF) use this fr&quencles

High Frequency (HF) - 2 to 25 MHz

Radio wave.s travelIn a straight lule aoo do not curve tofollow the earth'ssurface.
Ths would lfmt transm ssions from the broadcast antenna to receiving antennas onty in theline-of-sight of the
broadcast antenna excepl for a unique characteristic.

HF radio \vaves bounce off of the Ionosphere layer of the atmosphere. This refraction extends the range of HF
signals beyond line-of-sight.

Its disadvantage is that it is affected by atmospharic intetferer\ce Used for k>ng range voice communication
Type of Radio Waves
Very High Frequency (VHF)
•VHFcommunicationradios are the primary ccmmunicallon radios used In aviation.
•They operate in the frequency range from 118.0 MHz to 136.975MHz.

•Provides muchclearer reception and is muchless affected by atmosphelic conditions

•They are only capable of line·of..sight transmission and do not refract off of the
ionosphere.
•Used for short range communications.
Antenna
Antennas are conductors thalare used to transmrt and rece ve radio frequency waves. The exact shape and material
from which an antenna is made can alter its transmitting and receiving characterisbcs. Also note that some non-
metallic aircraft have antennas lmbedded Into the composite materialas It Is built up.

COmmunicatiOn
System
Static Dischargers

- are typically installed on the trailing edges or the primary night control
surfaces.The static dischargers allow for the gradual bleed-off of static e
ectncalcharges during ftighl.
Cabin Communication
•The callsystem is usoo as means for various crewmembers to gain the attention of other
crewmembers and to indicate that interphone communication is desired.
a. Attention is gained through the useof Ughts and auralsignals (chimes or horn).

b.The system can be act1vated rrom the cockpit, either mght attendant station. or from the
external pO\ver receptacle.

• Passengers may also use the system to summon an attendant, through the use of
individualcall switches at each seat.
• The cockpit may be called by either flight attendant station, or by the ground crew.
c.The ground Cfe\V may only be cafled bythe cockpit.
d.Flightattonclants may be called by the cockpit. the other attandant station. or by any
passenger seat or lavatory.
Cabin Communication
•Public Address System The public address or passenger address (PA)
system allows cockpit crewmembers and flight cabin attendants to make
announcements throughout the cabin to the passengers.
•Cockpit crewmembers can make announcements through any microphone and
respective audio selector panel(ASP).
•Announcements are heard through speakerslocated in the cabin and in the
lavatories.
•An audio selector panel (ASP) is installed at the captain, first officer, and
observer stations.
a. Each panel controls an Independent etew slatlon aucbo system and allows the
crewme1nber to seloct the desired radios. navigation aids. interphones, and PA system for
monitoring and transmission. Transmitter selectors on each ASP select one radio or system
for transmission by that ore\vmember. Any microphone althat crew station may then be keyed to
transmil on the selected system.
Cabin Communication
• Good communication between the flight crew and the passengers is extremely important
in airline flying. There are four teyel s of priorjtv assigned to the passenger
address system.
a. Announcements by thepi!ol have first priority

b. Announcements by the flight attendants.

c. Pre-f'eoorded announcements follow as third level

d. Boardingmusjc.

O Pre-recorded emergency announcements may be Initiated by the pilot or by a

flight attendant, and these messages are initiated automatically in the event of a
cabin depressurization.
Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) continuously records:
•Radio Communication

•Flight Crew Conversations

•AuralAlerts
•Generalsounds From the night compartment
The CVR: is installed in the aft equipment compartment, and is colored oranQe for quick
identification. An underwater locator device is installed on the unit, to aid in unit
location if submerged.
The CVR begins recording automatically when electrical power is applied to the aircraft. Audio
is recorded on audio channels and stored in the CVR solidstate memory,with older voice
data being overwritten as lime progresses.
ATA 26: Fire Protection
System
PrepMed By·E.nar JamMANlllOny B.SinobHI
ATA
26
• Fire protection eaui pment as defined by ATA 100: Those fixed and portable unit
and components which detect and indicate fire or smoke and store and distribut
fire extinguishing agent to all protected areas of the aircraft; including bottles,
valves, tubing, etc.
• The fire protection system includes components throughout the aeroplane to
provide detection. i ndication.and extingui shi ng of fire conditions.
• The fire protection system provides fire and smoke detection and fire
extinguishing. Fire detection and extinguishing systems are provided for the
engines, Auxiliary Power Unit (APUJ, baggage compartments, and the lavatory.
Portable fire bottles are provided for the passenger compartment.
Fire Triangle
• For a fire to occur, three conditions must be met. There must be fuel ox en
and en ou gh heat to raise the temperature of the fuelto itsignition or kindling point.

OXYGEN
Classes of Fire
To understand how and why different types of fire-detection systems are better suited o certain
applications. you need to be familiar with the classifications of fire as identified b the National Fire
Protection Association.

FIRE TYPE
EXTINGUISHING AGENT

METHOD

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WATfA R{lllOVES HEAT
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REACTION
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Classes of Fire
CLASS A
A Class A fire is one in which solid combustibl e material burns,such as wood,paper, or cloth.

Control cabins or passenger compartments are examples of locations where Class A fires
are likely to occur. Since the interiors of the passenger compartment and of the cockpit are
readily accessible to the crew, fire detection in these areas is generally accomplished by
visual surveillance.
CLASS B
Cl ass B fires are composed of combustible liquids such as gasoline. oil. jet fuel,and many of
the paint thinners and solvents used in aviation maintenance.

On an aircraft, these classes of fires typically occur in engine compartments or

nacelles. and in comoartments that house an auxiliarv oower unit APUl.
 I
Classes of Fire
CLASS C
• Class C fires are those that involve energized electrical equipment. These fires
require special care because of the dangers from the electricity, in addition to
those from the fire itself.
CLASS 0
•Although these types of fires are not common in aircraft during flight, they can
occur in maintenance shops, where metalshavings may i gnite when exposed to
intense heat such as from a welding torch or high-voltage source.