Originally Posted by
777Supremecist
Yea but how would the computer understand that it’s the rocker that’s stuck and not the pilot that’s putting the trim input?
Highly unlikely that a large rocker would jam and be un-jammable. And the pilots would know and be able to take action. The question was actually how would a single rocker be able to detect one of the switches failing ? = because electrically they would not both switch at the same moment in the same sense - they would disagree with each other and could then be ignored.
Originally Posted by
Check Airman
Having flown a few planes with the split or dual switch design, I’ve never had any trouble moving both simultaneously. I guess it comes down to the design, but I’m sure they take an average size thumb into account when they build the switches.
Me neither, just trying to understand Airbus' thinking. They got rid of pitch trim switches altogether on the A320 family, which is much better all round
Originally Posted by
MechEngr
.........My vote for a single toggle would be that it is far easier to put a water/coffee/soda intrusion seal on it.
I look at this as a plateau of interface design. They both work, they have both been reliable enough to not attract attention to them. And moving from one design to the other doesn't seem to offer a substantial advantage.
Yes, and not forgetting dust, which will screw up switch contacts. Airbus would have had a good reason for going with one rocker. Two rockers don't actually give any particular advantage, because if one jams, the other won't do anything, even if it still moves. And they are mechanically more complex, and as you say, harder to seal.