This document discusses Fly By Wire (FBW) technology. FBW was introduced by NASA in the 1970s as an alternative to conventional mechanical flight control systems. It uses computers and electronics rather than mechanics to stabilize and maneuver aircraft. The computers read pilot inputs and sensor data to determine control surface commands. FBW allows for increased stability, turbulence suppression, and reduced maintenance costs. While computer failures could impact manual control, FBW systems have proven highly reliable. FBW is now widely used in commercial and military aircraft like the Boeing 777, Airbus A320, F-22, and B-2. Future developments may include fly by wireless and fly by optics.

1. FLY BY WIRE
PRESENTED
BY
ASWIN MK
Roll No : 28

2. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• What is Fly By Wire and how does it work?.
• Why do we need FBW?.
• Disadvantages
• Where do we use it?.
• Future Developments
• Conclusion
• Reference

3. INTRODUCTION
 Introduced By NASA in the1970’s.
 FBW was first developed for military aviation and
later came in to civil aviation.
 Initially FBW was analogue and later developed in to
Digital(DFBW).
 The supersonic Concorde was the first civil aircraft to
have an analogue Fly By Wire system.

4. Eurofighter Typhoon
(Digital FBW)
Concorde (Analog FBW)

5. What is FBW?.
 It is a flight control system in which the control actions are
transmitted by wire.
 The control parameters are carefully developed and validated in
order to produce maximum operational effect without compromising
safety and reliability.
 This technology is designed to overcome the limitations of the
existing mechanical and hydro-mechanical flight control system.

6. How does it work?.
 The concept uses a highly reliable computer and electronic
flight control system, rather than the conventional
mechanical or hydraulic-based systems, to stabilize and
maneuver an aircraft.
 The computers “read” position and force inputs from the
pilot’s controls and aircraft sensors.
 Computers solve differential equations to determine the
appropriate command signals that move the Control surfaces
to carry out the intentions of the pilot.

7. Control Surfaces In A Modern Aircraft

8. Why do we need it?.
 Flight envelope protection.
 Increase in stability and handling qualities( Possibility of flying
unstable machines).
 Turbulence suppression and consequent decrease in fatigue
loads (increased passenger comfort).
 Weight and maintenance and overall cost reduction.
 Reduction in pilot training cost(easier to fly and easier to
integrate autopilot facility ).

9. Disadvantages
 There is no Manual Override if there is a malfunction
of the computer.
 There is no mechanical feedback to the pilot.
The impacts of these disadvantages is minimal because
A. Computer systems used in FBW has proved highly
reliable and safe operation.
B. Manufacturers have developed springs and linkages
which are computer controlled and give the pilots
the same feel as a conventional aircraft.

10.  NASA Space shuttle
 Used in civil aircrafts like Boeing 777 and
Airbus A320, Airbus A380 etc.
 UAV’s and Stealth Helicopter (Comanche)
 Used in the military for Advanced Fifth Generation
Fighters(F22-Raptor) and Bombers(B2).
Where do we use it?.

11. MORDERN AIRCRAFT USING THE DIGITAL FLY BY WIRE
TECHNOLOGY

12. Future developments
Two new developments in the FBW will be
 Fly By Wireless and
 Fly By Optics
There are many derivatives of this technology in the automobile
sector
 Steer By Wire(NISSAN)
 Brake By Wire(BREMBO-F1)
 Drive By Wire

13. Conclusion
Fly By Wire is an extremely safe and reliable
technology which can be embraced. It is one of
the greatest breakthrough in the aviation history.
It has good scope of improvement over the
coming years and is definitely worth investing.

14. Reference
Websites
 www.ieeecss.org
 www.wikipedia.org
 www.nasa.gov
 www.airbus.com
Books
 David F.Anderson & Scott Eberhardt - Understanding Flight

15. THANK YOU