Airbus Flight Control Laws: The Reconfiguration Laws
Description
This publication continues the discussion on Airbus flight control laws started with Airbus A330 Normal Law: Putting fly-by-wire into perspective. Covered here are the reconfiguration laws that become effective when Normal law can no longer function. It is intended to provide additional insight into these flight control laws for the pilots who fly them and for interested aviation enthusiasts.
While these publications focus on the A330 specifically, the principles for each flight control law generally apply to the other Airbus fly-by-wire aircraft. Differences exist between the various models in the computer and hydraulic/electric architecture that operate the flight controls and while these physical differences are not covered here, the focus is on the aspects that affect the pilot and behavior differences between models is discussed.
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Person
Bill Palmer is a currently an A330 captain for a major international airline.
As a member of his airline's A330 development team for the introduction of the airplane to its fleet, he has been intimately involved in A330 fleet since 2002. He was the lead author and editor for the airline's A330 systems manual, and has written numerous A330 training publications. He has served as an airplane and simulator instructor, check airman, designated examiner, and also on training related projects from video production to simulator certification.
Bill started flying at the age of 15, soloed on his 16th birthday and completed his private certificate at 17. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and holds a BS in Aeronautical Science. He earned his flight instructor certificate in 1978 and has been instructing almost non-stop since then, while holding airplane, instrument, multi-engine, and ground instructor certificates. Besides light aircraft he has also taught on the 727, 757, A320, DC-10, and A330, and written manuals for the DC-10, A330, B-787, and A350 fleets. He has also produced numerous training publications and videos for the various fleets as well.
Bill holds an ATP with type ratings in A320, A330, A350, B757/767, B777, DC10, and commercial glider and flight engineer-turbojet ratings.
