B-727 Autopilot System Review Questions

Front 1

What are the five interlocks that must be satisfied prior to engaging the autopilot?

Back 1

AP turn knob in detent; AP & Cruise Trim Cutout Switch to NORMAL; an operable vertical gyro; an operable yaw damper; and on the SP-150 Block 4, the Aileron Switch prior to the Elevator Switch; or on the SP-150 Block 5, an operable ADC

Front 2

If the SP-150 Block 4 autopilot is engaged in a turn, how will it respond in pitch and roll?

Back 2

It maintains pitch and rolls wings level.

Front 3

The mode selector on the SP-150 Block 4 autopilot is spring loaded to which position?

Back 3

MAN

Front 4

The Pitch Selector on the SP-150 Block 5 autopilot is spring loaded to which position?

Back 4

VERT SPEED

Front 5

If the SP-150 Block 5 is engaged in a turn, how will it respond in pitch and roll?

Back 5

It maintains current vertical speed and rolls wings level

Front 6

Will the SP-150 Block 4 capture an altitude set in the altitude alerter?

Back 6

No, it will only hold the current altitude at the time ALT HOLD is engaged.

Front 7

In order for the autopilot to follow guidance from the No. 2 Nav Radio, what must the pilot do?

Back 7

Move the Autopilot Transfer Switch (if installed) to #2.

Front 8

What will cause the autopilot to disengage?

Back 8

Autopilot Release Button on the Captain's or F/O's control wheel depressed,
both yaw dampers switched to OFF,
Autopilot & Cruise Trim Cutout Switch to CUTOUT,
Any Main Electric or Cruise Stab Trim Switch actuated,
Autopilot Elevator Servo Switch repositioned,
power to attitude system lost,
vertical gyro switched,
Compasses switched (is installed),
Power to autopilot aileron (roll) or elevator (pitch) lost,
Or failure of the Air Data Computer

Front 9

What will cause the Autopilot NAV Selector to switch to TURN KNOB?

Back 9

Switching the frequency of the NAV radio, changing the ILS frequency on approach, moving the Turn Controller out of the detent, testing the referenced radio.

Front 10

ON the SP-150 Block 4 autopilot what action will only cause the Elevator Engagement Switch to disengage?

Back 10

Autopilot & Cruise Trim Cutout Switch to CUTOUT, Pitch Channel Selector (Autopilot Elevator Servo) switched, any Main Electric or Cruise Stab Trim Switch actuated, or electric power to the autopilot elevator (pitch) lost

Front 11

What is "gain programming"?

Back 11

Gain programming is the reduction of autopilot inputs to the aircraft flight control system in order to smoothly track the localizer and glideslope as the aircraft gets closer to the runway.

Front 12

What is "glideslope extension"?

Back 12

Glideslope extension is the second stage of gain programming that further reduces the sensitivity of the autopilot and flight director by 1/4 of its original value.

Front 13

When does gain programming start in all autopilots?

Back 13

It begins at 1500' RA with glideslope capture.

Front 14

The autopilot is engaged and tracking a localizer course while still level (ALT HOLD on) but below glideslope. What would happen if the NAV Selector is switched to MAN GS?

Back 14

Aircraft will pitch down to establish a 700 fpm descent for ten seconds and then intercept and follow the glideslope.

Front 15

What do the flashing AUTOPILOT DISENGAGED lights indicate and how can they be extinguished?

Back 15

The autopilot was disengaged by other than the Autopilot Release Button on the control wheel. they can be extinguished by depressing the Autopilot Release Button or depressing the flashing light on the forward instrument panel.

Front 16

What does a steady AUTOPILOT DISENGAGED light indicate?

Back 16

The maintenance self test switches in the E & E should be checked.

Front 17

In which modes can ALT HOLD be selected?

Back 17

SP-15- Block 4: AUX NAV, MAN, NAV LOC, and AUTO GS (until glideslope capture)
SP-150 Block 5: VERT SPEED. Anytime the VERT SPEED wheel is put in the ALT HOLD detent, the Pitch Selector will move to VERT SPEED.

Front 18

The HDG SEL allows the SP-150 Block 4 autopilot to follow inputs from which heading bug?

Back 18

Captain's HSI heading bug (F/O's if Autopilot Transfer Switch is in #2).

Front 19

What is the max roll capability of the roll channel?

Back 19

32 Degrees AOB

Front 20

What is the vertical velocity authority of the SP-150 Block 5 autopilot?

Back 20

+4,000 to -8,000 fpm

Front 21

When is the pitch function of the Command Knob of the SP-150 Block 4 autopilot deactivated?

Back 21

When ALT HOLD is selected or upon glideslope capture

Front 22

What is the result if the glideslope receiver fails after glideslope capture?

Back 22

The APD GS light will be green and the autopilot will maintain a 700 fpm descent as if on glideslope (GS warning flag only).

Front 23

How do the Block 4 and Block 5 autopilots differ with respect to altitude capture?

Back 23

SP-150 Block 4 will only hold an existing altitude.
SP-150 Block 5 will capture a selected altitude (2,000 fpm max)

Front 24

Will the Elevator Low Pressure light illuminate if the switch is in the "A" position with a loss of "B" system pressure?

Back 24

No, it only monitors the selected system.

Front 25

Will the A/P Elevator Servo Selector in the AB position on a coupled ILS approach, which servo is in operation?

Back 25

"A" servo prior to glideslope capture.
"A and B" servos after glideslope capture.

Front 26

Which yaw damper operates on essential power?

Back 26

The lower yaw damper

Front 27

Will the STAB OUT OF TRIM light illuminate if the autopilot is not engaged? What does this light indicate?

Back 27

No. It indicates the autopilot inputs to the elevator are ot sufficiently trimmed by the stabilizer. An autopilot disengagement with this light illuminated may cause an abrupt pitch change.

Front 28

What is the function of the Autopilot Ground Test Switch?

Back 28

It powers the yaw dampers to allow a ground test of the autopilot.

Front 29

Manual GS should not be used if greater than how many dot(s) off glideslope?

Back 29

1/2

Front 30

In order to auto-land, what position must the A/P Elevator Servo Selector be in?

Back 30

AB position

Front 31

When will the FLARE light on the APD turn amber? When will it turn green?

Back 31

Amber: 20 seconds after glideslope capture and below 1500' on the Radio Altimeter
Green: 50' +/-5' on the Radio Altimeter.

Front 32

If the autopilot disengages on an ILS coupled approach, what is the minimum altitude that a re-engagement is allowed?

Back 32

1500' AGL

Front 33

What is the minimum autopilot altitude in A or B mode?

Back 33

50' below MDA but not less than 1100' AGL

Front 34

What is the minimum autopilot altitude in AB mode?

Back 34

50' below MDA but not less than 800' AGL

Front 35

What is the minimum autopilot atltitude on a coupled ILS CAT I approach in A or B mode?

Back 35

75' AGL

Front 36

What is the minimum autopilot altitude on a coupled ILS CAT II approach in A or B mode?

Back 36

50' AGL

Front 37

What is the minimum autopilot altitude on a coupled ILS CAT III approach in A or B mode?

Back 37

N/A

Front 38

What is the minimum autopilot altitude on any coupled ILS approach in AB mode?

Back 38

Touchdown is the TCH is 47' or greater. If the TCH is less than 47 feet, autopilot minimums revert to 75' AGL for CAT I and 50' for CAT II (as appropriate)

Front 39

Is an auto-land allowed with less than 30 Deg flaps?

Back 39

No