ABSTRACT
This chapter examines a Fly-By-Wire (FBW) primary flight control system using the system on the Boeing 777 as an example. FBW primary flight controls have been used in military applications such as fighter airplanes for a number of years. It has been a rather recent development to employ them in a commercial transport application. In a FBW flight control system, the cable control of the primary flight control surfaces has been removed. Rather, the actuators are controlled electrically. At the heart of the FBW system are electronic computers. The philosophy employed during the design of the Boeing 777 primary flight control system maintains a system operation that is consistent with a pilot’s past training and experience. One unique aspect of the FBW flight control system used on the 777 is that the actuators on any given surface are all fully powered at all times.
