Avionics Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real AET practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Avionics Systems flashcards as text
What is the significance of ARINC 664 (AFDX) over ARINC 429 in modern avionics?
Answer: AFDX supports bidirectional high-speed Ethernet-based communication versus ARINC 429's unidirectional low-speed links
ARINC 664 (AFDX) uses switched Ethernet technology enabling bidirectional, high-bandwidth data exchange compared to ARINC 429's slower unidirectional links.
A pilot reports the radio altimeter reads zero while airborne over water at 500 feet. The most likely cause is:
Answer: Antenna connector failure or water intrusion in the antenna
Radio altimeter antenna failures or connector corrosion cause false zero or invalid readings because the RF signal path is broken.
Which type of display symbology standard governs the presentation of flight data on Primary Flight Displays (PFD) in transport aircraft?
Answer: ARINC 661
ARINC 661 defines the standard interface and symbology specification for cockpit display systems, including PFD graphics rendering.
What does 'BITE' stand for in avionics maintenance contexts?
Answer: Built-In Test Equipment
BITE stands for Built-In Test Equipment, onboard self-test circuitry that monitors LRU health and stores fault codes for maintenance retrieval.
On a glass cockpit aircraft, what does the magenta triangle on the navigation display (ND) typically represent?
Answer: Active waypoint or TO waypoint
The magenta triangle on the ND indicates the active TO waypoint that the flight management system is currently navigating toward.
What is the primary purpose of the Marker Beacon system in an ILS approach?
Answer: Indicate specific distance-to-threshold fix points via audio and visual signals
Marker beacons (outer, middle, inner) transmit upward-directed 75 MHz signals that trigger distinct audio tones and cockpit lights at known distance points along the ILS approach path.
When troubleshooting an ARINC 429 bus fault, a technician finds all labels on that bus are missing. The most likely cause is:
Answer: Transmitter output failure in the source LRU or open wire on the bus pair
Since ARINC 429 is unidirectional with one transmitter feeding multiple receivers, a transmitter failure or open bus wire eliminates all labels for every listener on that bus.