Fail-Operational DAFCS for Business/Commuter Aircraft

The fail-operational Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS) for business/commuter aircraft developed by Sperry serves as the cornerstone in the new generation integrated cockpit. The DAFCS makes maximum use of digital technology by providing increased integration, performance, and flexibility along with an associated reduction in size, weight and power consumption. Tying together the DAFCS, sensors, and display systems is the Avionics Standard Communication Bus (ASCB). This bi-directional bus provides the interface with a minimum of hardware and aircraft wiring. This paper discusses system operation and DAFCS architecture along with a unique approach used to obtain fail passive performance in a single flight guidance computer.