Avionic system monitoring?

Question

How do we performance monitor avionic systems & why is this so important? Also is there a specific name for this i cant seem to find info on the web anywhere! thanks a lot!

Answer 1

You're probably talking about the BITE test. Built In Test Equipment. These avionics (and other systems) continuously test themselves while they are operating and if they have a problem it is brought up as an EICAS or ECAM msg.

Answer 2

The only periodic checks for the Air Force heavies, and it is supposedly driven by the FAA, is an IFF (transponder) check, to insure the alticoder is working, and the Pitot system for leaks.

IMHO tho, the alticoder is checked every flight. The only thing we do is insure wires are not broken to affect the gray code coming from the altimeter. However, if a wire was broken, it would create multitudes of altitude differences, not just an error of a few hundred feet. So, I think it's a waste of time, but I've only been working on IFF systems for 30 or so years, in the shop and on the line, so what do I know.

Answer 3

The only legal requirements I know of are VOR accuracy checks every 30 days and long range nav comparison checks overwater. Other than that, many systems auto check themselves on start up.