SIDESTICK PRIORITY LOGIC

& TAKEOVER TECHNIQUE

ATCT Training Department

 OBJECTIVES

 Understand the sidestick priority logic;

 Learn correct transfer of controls;

 Review the correct technique to be used when taking over control.

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 2
 CONTENT

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 3
 CONTENT

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 4
 FBW – Sidestick versus Conventional Yoke
Normal operation

Scenario Conventional Yoke Sidestick

Peripheral feedback with No feedback , PM Stick

Hand Flying by PF yoke motion/position in neutral position

Yoke is coupled to Stick locked in neutral

autopilot and moves as in position
hand-flying
Autopilot (AP)
Simultaneous operation by
Simultaneous operation
pilot and A/P possible
impossible
(override, CWS)

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 5
 FBW – Sidestick versus Conventional Yoke
Takeover Technique
In ex: Training Flight

Scenario Conventional Yoke Sidestick

Requires verbal order from

instructor to release yoke.
Immediate take-over
Training :
by instructor with
mishandling If trainee holds yoke too
by trainee priority P/B
tightly, risk of insufficient
strength of instructor to get
control of aircraft.

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 6
 CONTENT

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 7
 Use of the Sidestick – Reminder

If both flight crewmembers use simultaneously their sidesticks,

both inputs are algebrically added.

As a result, the aircraft response may be :

– more dynamic than what the PF expects, or

– less than expected if the other pilot deflects the sidestick in the
opposite direction.

The flight control laws LIMIT THE COMBINED ORDER TO

the equivalent of the FULL DEFLECTION OF ONE SIDESTICK.

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 8
 Use of the Sidestick – Reminder
DUAL INPUT
If both flight crewmembers simultaneously move their sidesticks without taking
the priority, the green CAPT and F/O lights flash and the automatic DUAL INPUT
callout is triggered:

DUAL INPUT

the flight crew should

NEVER PERFORM SIMULTANEOUS INPUTS

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 9
 CONTENT

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 10
 Transfer of Aircraft Control
 to TRANSFER the aircraft control, the flight crewmember must apply the
following techniques:

The PF calls “YOU HAVE CONTROL“ to initiate transfer of control

the PM calls “I HAVE CONTROL”, and use the side stick

the PF releases the sidestick and becomes PM

ONLY ONE FLIGHT CREWMEMBER MUST FLY AT A TIME

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 11
 CONTENT

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 12
 Takeover Techniques

 WHEN TO USE TAKEOVER OF CONTROL :

There are usually two situations for which the PM may have to
takeover control:

o The PF becomes incapacitated,

o The PF deviates from the intended flight path jeopardizing

the
safety of the flight.

o In case of other emergency situations, such as stick failure or

jamming.

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 13
 Takeover Techniques

 HOW TO USE TAKEOVER OF CONTROL :

the PM must initiate the Takeover:

- After a Verbal Intervention to challenge the actions of the PF, or

- IMMEDIATELY if circumstances dictate and if there is no time to

escalate this verbal intervention.

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 14
 Takeover Techniques
the PM must Clearly announce :……………….“I HAVE CONTROL”
and simultaneously
Press and maintain the sidestick priority pushbutton.

Captain has the priority

If both flight crewmembers press their sidestick pushbutton at the same time, the last
flight crewmember to press has priority.
Sidestick priority logic & takeover
technique ATCT Training Department 15
 Takeover Techniques
 What if the other flight crewmember deflects the sidestick ?

CAPTAIN HAS PRIORITY

If the First officer (F/O) moves the sidestick while Captain (CAPT) has priority:

A red arrow appears

above the F/O light (“F/O”
remains off)
The green
CAPT light
comes on

These indications disappear when the F/O releases the sidestick to the
neutral position.

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 16
 Takeover Techniques
 What if the other flight crewmember deflects the sidestick ?

FIRST OFFICER HAS PRIORITY

If Captain (CAPT) moves the sidestick while the First officer (F/O) has priority :

A red arrow The green F/O light

appears comes on
above the
CAPT light
(“CAPT”
remains off)

These indications disappear when the F/O releases the sidestick to the
neutral position.

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 17
 Takeover Techniques
SIDESTICK PRIORITY RULES

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 18
 Takeover Techniques
If required, a Pilot may temporarily deactivate the other sidestick by
Pressing and maintaining the priority pushbutton for more than 40
seconds.

40 seconds

Captain has the priority

A pressure on either sidestick priority pushbutton reactivates the deactivated stick.

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 19
 CONTENT

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 20
 Key Points

 Communication is essential about the observed deviations between PM and

PF (SPEAKING instead of “assisting” with gentle inputs as on non-FBW flight
controls);

 take over when necessary, and in accordance with the described technique;

 It is important to maintain the sidestick pushbutton pressed by the pilot who

takes over until the situation is clearly resolved;

 It is important for the pilot who “looses” the controls to completely release their
hand from the sidestick.

Sidestick priority logic & takeover

technique ATCT Training Department 21