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> "The fact that the redundancy of a sensor on which a system capable of sudden, large control inputs relies is an optional package to be purchased separately..
by Reason077 8y ago
> "The fact that the redundancy of a sensor on which a system capable of sudden, large control inputs relies is an optional package to be purchased separately... I simply have no words."
As far as I'm aware, all Boeing 737 aircraft have 2 AoA sensors. There isn't an option to add a 3rd redundant one like the Twitter poster suggests.
From what I understand, what is optional is the display of the AoA on the main screen and/or HUD, and the "AOA DISAGREE" warning which cross-checks the data from the 2 sensors.
(Airbus A320s have 3 AoA sensors. A380, A350, and Bombardier C-Series, aka A220, have 4.)
- gaius_baltar 8y agoI got this in the other way: there is no actual redundancy even with the optional package, the new sensor is only used to compare inputs with the one used by the control system and warn the pilots if they disagree. Pretty sure I'm misinterpreting things (I hope!). In the other hand, if there are two sensors, what the control system does when they disagree and there is no hardware to show this to the pilots?
- Reason077 8y agoRight. The optional packages don't add additional sensors and don't add redundancy. But they may improve situational awareness by drawing pilot's attention to a sensor problem faster. The MCAS system, apparently, always takes its input from one of the two AoA sensors - it alternates each flight. Lots of details here: http://www.b737.org.uk/mcas.htm http://www.b737.org.uk/mcas.htm