Testing control movement on FBW aircraft

[jxf63]

Random question :)

I know that one of the things pilots do before takeoff in e.g. Boeing aircraft is to push the control column fully back and forth and side to side to check that it moves freely.

Sitting on the taxiway in an A319 the other day, I suddenly wondered if a similar check is done on the side stick...

Can anyone enlighten me ?

[Chesty Morgan]

Yep, it is.

[jxf63]

OK thanks.

I had kind of assumed on traditional aircraft that the control column would give the pilot a "feel" for the free movement of the control surfaces (though I realise it's a bit more complicated than a steel cable running directly back from the cockpit :) ).

What happens on FBW when there's a problem with e.g. the elevator ? Does the computer give haptic feedback to the sidestick, or flash up a message or what ?

It's 4:30 here in LA and my body is still on London time so sorry !!!!

[Basil]

Not Bus but I'm sure Chesty will confirm that there is a Surface Position Indicator which is observed when doing the 'full & free'.

Ah, takes me back to my first solo in a Chipmunk; looking back to check the elevator & rudder movement and realising that there was no-one in the rear cockpit to 'fix it' for me. :uhoh:

[Chesty Morgan]

Never flown an Airbus but jumpseated a few and yes there is a position indicator. Similar to the E195 which I did fly, still couldn't help checking out the window though.

[Denti]

Checking out the window is not a bad idea, the sidestick could be wired up the wrong way around (happened to Lufthansa). However, from my seat i can see the aileron on the A319/A320, but not on the A321 anymore. No clue how it is on the bigger buses.

Apart from that, unlike the interconnected system in the Boeings each pilot has to do a separate control check on the airbus.

[jxf63]

Thanks - always good for us amateur enthusiasts to hear from the pros :)