Wikiposts
Search
Tech Log The very best in practical technical discussion on the web

737NG - IRS

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10th Mar 2014, 12:55
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: 36,000'
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
737NG - IRS

As per the preliminary pre-flight procedure, the IRS's must be re-aligned completely before each flight.

So why don't we turn off the IRS during the shutdown procedure? I mean for a crew change during, each flight day, they have re-align the IRS anyways completely.

Also the secure is done, only on the last flight of the day, where we turn the IRS's off.
B737NG_Pilot is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2014, 13:06
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Ankh Morpork, DW
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My airline turns the IRS off on the shutdown.
ImbracableCrunk is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2014, 13:07
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Home soon
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So why don't we turn off the IRS during the shutdown procedure?
You tell us
de facto is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2014, 15:12
  #4 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: 36,000'
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't know. I feel there is a reduction in the life span of the IRS. Every time we turn it off.
B737NG_Pilot is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2014, 16:27
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: last time I looked I was still here.
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fully realigning the IRS every flight is a company procedure; perhaps. For Boeing a 'fast realign' is enough, especially with GPS a/c. The B757 I assume had similar systems to B733 classics. We used to fast align on turn-rounds in Europe, but a full align before any ETOPS or long over water flight. On NG we sued to fast align on turn-rounds and full align on crew change because the a/c was shutdown, or it's nice to start with a clean sheet of paper if the crew are at the steps.
RAT 5 is offline  
Old 10th Mar 2014, 23:26
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It is Boeing procedure to reset the IRS's. The preliminary needs to be done before each flight and the first step is:

IRS........OFF, then NAV


if your company says that it needs to be done only once per day, then it is a company procedure.
PPRuNeUser0190 is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2014, 00:58
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: I wouldn't know.
Posts: 4,497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We use the same procedure in my current company, completely off and then to NAV again for each flight. In my previous company we just did a quick realign and used to do that on the classics (where we didn't have GPS updating) as well.

To be honest when i was taught that difference i just shrugged and did it that way, not a big issue at all, just a difference in technique, both ways work.
Denti is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2014, 10:11
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: FL410
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Next time after a flight have a look at your POS as indicated on screen and in FMC.

If any of the positions indicate a small but significant shift from the GPS known GATE/PARKING position then do a FAST realign.
If any of the positions indicate a large shift from known position, execute a FULL align to get rig of nonexistent ground speed which will be displayed on FMC pages whilst parked.
Skyjob is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2014, 16:49
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: last time I looked I was still here.
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It is Boeing procedure to reset the IRS's.

I flew for airlines that did full align at crew changes and fast align on same crew turn-rounds. Boeing designed the fats align feature, so we used it. I then flew for an EU airline that full aligned every sector. After a few years there was a Boeing audit and the TC asked why we did that. It changed to the former procedure at Boeing's advice. So, there are 2 methods to reset an IRS.
RAT 5 is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2014, 17:28
  #10 (permalink)  
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 18,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It is not unknown to switch it on in the morning and off in the evening and that is all!
BOAC is offline  
Old 11th Mar 2014, 20:09
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: I wish I knew
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If the IRS(s) are aligned and there are 2 FMCs the aircraft can fly for up to 6 hrs without the ref to conventional nav aids, should you land in windy city it may be impossible to align the IRS with the airframe moving around, hence it may be better not to attempt. We align " as required"
Avenger is offline  
Old 12th Mar 2014, 02:49
  #12 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: 36,000'
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yesterday I flew, 3 sectors without aligning IRS even once. Its only in the fourth sector I recevied IRS POS/ORIGIN DISAGREE. A/C had Dual FMC with GPS updates on.
B737NG_Pilot is offline  
Old 12th Mar 2014, 04:14
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
I've aligned at the gate in some very strong winds, that has never been an issue.
stilton is offline  
Old 12th Mar 2014, 19:25
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: last time I looked I was still here.
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Flying for the airline who insisted on full align every sector I did so in 40kt winds. At the gate R IRS would not align; a/c was rocking. Loaded up and taxied out and set up a/c // with the wind. It still would not align.
Thankfully, later on, they saw sense and used fast align, and non at all in strong winds.
RAT 5 is offline  
Old 29th Mar 2014, 07:57
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Interesting R5, have never seen that but I can see how with your description.

Best wishes.
stilton is offline  
Old 29th Mar 2014, 14:46
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Full align on my property, except when windy
737ngpilot is offline  
Old 29th Mar 2014, 19:15
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: fairly close to the colonial capitol
Age: 55
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Short sector flights = fast align.
Longer sector (3+hours) = full alignment.

Drift is the reason.

Next time after a flight have a look at your POS as indicated on screen and in FMC.

If any of the positions indicate a small but significant shift from the GPS known GATE/PARKING position then do a FAST realign.
If any of the positions indicate a large shift from known position, execute a FULL align to get rig of nonexistent ground speed which will be displayed on FMC pages whilst parked.
Nail on the head right here, SJ.
vapilot2004 is offline  
Old 30th Mar 2014, 05:55
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IRS NAV ONLY
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by skyjob
If any of the positions indicate a large shift from known position, execute a FULL align to get rig of nonexistent ground speed which will be displayed on FMC pages whilst parked.
Even a quick re-align will reset GS from those couple of knots on the ground to 0.

We do a full align on each sector (non-GPS classic).
FlyingStone is offline  
Old 30th Mar 2014, 07:34
  #19 (permalink)  
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 18,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by FlyingStone
Even a quick re-align will reset GS from those couple of knots on the ground to 0.
- correct but not relevant! It is platform alignment that is corrected by a full align whereas a rapid merely, as you say, zeroes the residual speed.
BOAC is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.