Aircraft Aerodynamics, Structures & Systems

B2 engineers need working knowledge of aerodynamics (lift, drag, stability, high-speed flight) and airframe construction so that sensor location and system behaviour make sense — for example why static ports must be flush and symmetrical, and why antennas must be bonded to structure.

The autopilot closes loops in pitch, roll and yaw using servos and computers. Modes include heading, altitude hold, VNAV/LNAV, approach and autoland (CAT II/III requires redundancy and monitoring). The flight director shows commands to the pilot; autothrottle/autothrust controls speed or thrust. Yaw dampers reduce Dutch roll. Failures annunciate through EICAS/ECAM and reduce autoland capability.

COM: VHF (118–136.975 MHz, AM), HF (2–30 MHz, SSB), SATCOM, ACARS, audio integration and CVR. NAV: VOR, DME, ILS/MLS/GLS, ADF, marker beacons, GNSS/GPS with SBAS, radio altimeter, weather radar, TCAS/ACAS II and TAWS/EGPWS, plus transponder Modes A/C/S and ADS-B.

Pitot-static systems feed airspeed, altimeter and VSI — blockages produce classic error patterns you must be able to diagnose. Inertial reference (IRS/AHRS) uses ring-laser gyros and accelerometers. Air Data Computers combine pitot, static and TAT to output altitude, airspeed and Mach digitally. Displays: PFD, ND, EICAS/ECAM and standby instruments.

AC and DC generation and distribution, bus tie logic, load shedding, batteries, static inverters and TRUs. Integrated modular avionics (IMA) hosts multiple functions on shared cabinets connected by AFDX. Central maintenance computers gather BITE from LRUs to speed troubleshooting.

Also within scope: in-flight entertainment and cabin systems, flight data recorders, fire and smoke detection, ice and rain protection controls, lighting, oxygen, doors, water/waste and landing gear indication. Troubleshooting follows the FIM/TSM, using wiring diagrams (WDM), pin-to-pin checks, insulation testing and correct EWIS practice.