Two Nav Radios and an FMC

Minuteman · August 3rd, 2003, 00:33

Admittedly, these questions are mostly out of curiosity regarding nav radio tuning and computers on appropriately equipped aircraft, but hey, its Tech Talk:

Does the crew manually tune-in frequencies, or does the FMC automatically switch the radios as the flight plan progresses?

Also, if you're tooling along on a flight that's using GPS as the primary nav source, are VORs still tuned as a backup (automatically), and how common are these kinds of flights?

Thanks

Mr_Creepy · August 3rd, 2003, 06:01

The CRJ FMS has an "Auto Tune" function which automatically selects your VORs en route.

You can disable it, but you run the risk of seeing "DR" on your screen - which means the FMS is now in Dead Reckoning mode.

It is an item that can be deferred for maintenance.

Manual mode is a pain, because you are constantly searching for good VORs on your enroute chart.

I have flown GPS CRJs only once or twice and honestly I can't remember if Autotune was in use or not. Sorry.

pavelump · August 3rd, 2003, 08:00

Is that anything like two turntables and a microphone?

A300Capt · August 3rd, 2003, 09:05

[ QUOTE ]
Does the crew manually tune-in frequencies, or does the FMC automatically switch the radios as the flight plan progresses?

[/ QUOTE ]

The FMC automatically tunes in VOR freqs along the route for auto updating and actually prefers DME. It compares that info with either IRS and/or GPS (depending upon aircraft and avionics installed)position to continually update the FMC(s).

The pilot can override or force the FMC to use another VOR station by either typing the station identifier and selecting it into the FMC or selecting a "manual" mode on the MCP. This allows us to get a quick bearing and/or DME from that station the the RDMI indicator. We can also tell the FMC to not use a certain station if it was NOTAM out of service or as a problem. The FMC doesn't know about NOTAMs, only where the station is suppose to be and it's freq.

Normally, the FMC's are allowed to do their own thing without our interference and the entire flight is flown in a "nav or Lnav" mode. This means, the route is programmed into the FMC (which is normally a stored route in the database), a pretty picture of our route including airways, VORs and airports are displayed on the moving map. The aircraft simply follows that FMC generated course line as it's being constantly updated by GPS, IRS or VORs.

We don't normally manually tune in VOR station along the route since the FMC is an approved method of navigating from point "A" to "B" using it's designed updating capabilities.

We do, however, have to back up the FMC data using raw data during IFR approaches. This means that one of the pilots has to select "HSI" on his nav display. He'll continue to backup the flying pilot's progress against what the FMC/moving map is displaying.

BTW, one or both FMC can be inop (doesn't happen very often)and we can be dispatched for a flight. We'll just back to the basics of manually tuning in VORs and using the HSI mode of our moving map.

Disclaimer: The above pertains to older glass cockpit aircraft such as the B75/76 and A300 and may not apply to newer aircraft such as the B777, MD11 or newer Airbuses. Your mileage may vary. Please consult your owner's manual.

Cheechako · August 4th, 2003, 14:50

John, we still use the Autotune function with our RJs with GPS. I'm guessing it's the "more is better" concept.

Mr_Creepy · August 4th, 2003, 17:01

I figured as much. I sure don't remember turning it off on the few GPS RJs I've flown.

ClipperPilot · August 5th, 2003, 19:43

When transitioning into the "Jet", whichever aircraft it may be, what kind of ground school do you go through for Turbine powerplants, if any?

Doug Taylor · August 5th, 2003, 22:59

[ QUOTE ]
Is that anything like two turntables and a microphone?

[/ QUOTE ]

Dangit, I thought I was going to be the clever one!

ready2fly · August 6th, 2003, 07:14

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Is that anything like two turntables and a microphone?

[/ QUOTE ]

Dangit, I thought I was going to be the clever one!

[/ QUOTE ]
CRUD!! I clicked over here expressly to say that!!!!

August 3rd, 2003, 00:33	#1
Minuteman Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,465 Blog Entries: 1	Two Nav Radios and an FMC Admittedly, these questions are mostly out of curiosity regarding nav radio tuning and computers on appropriately equipped aircraft, but hey, its Tech Talk: Does the crew manually tune-in frequencies, or does the FMC automatically switch the radios as the flight plan progresses? Also, if you're tooling along on a flight that's using GPS as the primary nav source, are VORs still tuned as a backup (automatically), and how common are these kinds of flights? Thanks

August 3rd, 2003, 06:01	#2
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	Re: Two Nav Radios and an FMC The CRJ FMS has an "Auto Tune" function which automatically selects your VORs en route. You can disable it, but you run the risk of seeing "DR" on your screen - which means the FMS is now in Dead Reckoning mode. It is an item that can be deferred for maintenance. Manual mode is a pain, because you are constantly searching for good VORs on your enroute chart. I have flown GPS CRJs only once or twice and honestly I can't remember if Autotune was in use or not. Sorry.

August 3rd, 2003, 08:00	#3
pavelump Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 790	Re: Two Nav Radios and an FMC Is that anything like two turntables and a microphone?

August 3rd, 2003, 09:05	#4
A300Capt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 709	Re: Two Nav Radios and an FMC [ QUOTE ] Does the crew manually tune-in frequencies, or does the FMC automatically switch the radios as the flight plan progresses? [/ QUOTE ] The FMC automatically tunes in VOR freqs along the route for auto updating and actually prefers DME. It compares that info with either IRS and/or GPS (depending upon aircraft and avionics installed)position to continually update the FMC(s). The pilot can override or force the FMC to use another VOR station by either typing the station identifier and selecting it into the FMC or selecting a "manual" mode on the MCP. This allows us to get a quick bearing and/or DME from that station the the RDMI indicator. We can also tell the FMC to not use a certain station if it was NOTAM out of service or as a problem. The FMC doesn't know about NOTAMs, only where the station is suppose to be and it's freq. Normally, the FMC's are allowed to do their own thing without our interference and the entire flight is flown in a "nav or Lnav" mode. This means, the route is programmed into the FMC (which is normally a stored route in the database), a pretty picture of our route including airways, VORs and airports are displayed on the moving map. The aircraft simply follows that FMC generated course line as it's being constantly updated by GPS, IRS or VORs. We don't normally manually tune in VOR station along the route since the FMC is an approved method of navigating from point "A" to "B" using it's designed updating capabilities. We do, however, have to back up the FMC data using raw data during IFR approaches. This means that one of the pilots has to select "HSI" on his nav display. He'll continue to backup the flying pilot's progress against what the FMC/moving map is displaying. BTW, one or both FMC can be inop (doesn't happen very often)and we can be dispatched for a flight. We'll just back to the basics of manually tuning in VORs and using the HSI mode of our moving map. Disclaimer: The above pertains to older glass cockpit aircraft such as the B75/76 and A300 and may not apply to newer aircraft such as the B777, MD11 or newer Airbuses. Your mileage may vary. Please consult your owner's manual.

August 4th, 2003, 14:50	#5
Cheechako Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 976	Re: Two Nav Radios and an FMC John, we still use the Autotune function with our RJs with GPS. I'm guessing it's the "more is better" concept.

August 4th, 2003, 17:01	#6
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	Re: Two Nav Radios and an FMC I figured as much. I sure don't remember turning it off on the few GPS RJs I've flown.

August 5th, 2003, 19:43	#7
ClipperPilot Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ft.lauderdale FL Posts: 104	Re: Two Nav Radios and an FMC When transitioning into the "Jet", whichever aircraft it may be, what kind of ground school do you go through for Turbine powerplants, if any?

August 5th, 2003, 22:59	#8
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 40,430 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Two Nav Radios and an FMC [ QUOTE ] Is that anything like two turntables and a microphone? [/ QUOTE ] Dangit, I thought I was going to be the clever one!

August 6th, 2003, 07:14	#9
ready2fly Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 7,137	Re: Two Nav Radios and an FMC [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Is that anything like two turntables and a microphone? [/ QUOTE ] Dangit, I thought I was going to be the clever one! [/ QUOTE ] CRUD!! I clicked over here expressly to say that!!!!

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