Aircraft Digitization: The Innovative FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Computer) for Turbo-Propeller Aeroengines and AI Challenges to Optimized Engine Performance

first_page Download PDF settings Order Article Reprints Font Type: Arial Georgia Verdana Font Size: Aa Aa Aa Line Spacing:    Column Width:    Background: Open AccessAbstract Aircraft Digitization: The Innovative FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Computer) for Turbo-Propeller Aeroengines and AI Challenges to Optimized Engine Performance † by Christoforos Ar. PasialakosChristoforos Ar. Pasialakos SciProfiles Scilit Preprints.org Google Scholar School of Aviation, Australian University, Mishref, Mubarak Al-Abdullah 13015, Kuwait † Presented at the International Scientific Conference on Digitalization, Innovations & Sustainable Development: Trends and Business Perspectives, West Mishref, Kuwait, 29 November & 14 December 2023. Proceedings 2024, 101(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024101008 Published: 9 May 2024 Download keyboard_arrow_down Download PDF Download PDF with Cover Download XML Download Epub Versions Notes Keywords: AI; digitization; FADEC; flight safety; turbo-propeller engine 1. ObjectivesThe digitization of turbo-propeller aeroengines fitted on aircraft is of paramount significance. This study documents the interrelationship between an engine's digitized FADEC computerized functions and the engine/propeller's optimized performance, plus FADEC's contribution to flight safety [1,2].Also, we analyze the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a challenge to the industry which has already begun, focusing on embedding AI into engine/propeller digital functions free of human errors [3]. 2. MethodologyWe carried out a Literature Review Synthesis (LRS) with bibliographic secondary data analysis. The review involved related bibliography including aviation regulations, engine/propeller manufacturing data, technical publications and manuals, plus training books. 3. ResultsBy converting analogue information into a digital format/PC-readable data, FADEC handles massive information regarding all engine/propeller functional parameters, i.e., altitude, pressure, velocity, ambient air temperature, engine temperatures, rpm, torque, etc., during all phases of a flight from start–taxiing–ascend–cruise to descend–landing–taxiing–shut down [3].As a result, the engine/propeller achieves optimized thrusting performance, which is a regulatory manufacturing requirement [1].Since the propeller attached to the engine generates the thrust, FADEC also optimizes the propeller's propulsive efficiency; plus, it maintains its structural integrity by preventing structural damage to the propeller blades from aerodynamic overloading [4].FADEC's digitized functions also eliminate any improper human errors or inputs into the engine's fuel thrust and propeller's blade-pitching systems, resulting in the elimination of hazards and, thus, ensuring flight safety [5].AI is defined as the simulation of human intelligence in machines, in terms of learning, reasoning, and perception, in a human-error-free manner [6]. AI being embedded in FADEC's functions ultimately results in safe engine/propeller performance and aircraft flight safety [4]. 4. ImplicationsIn turbo-propeller engines, FADEC benefits both the engine and propeller [3,4] by (a) replacing complicated, old-type, multi-item, hydromechanical engine fuel control systems with fully digitized control components; (b) optimizing the engine's airflow/fuel control by increasing thrust with less fuel whilst reducing the chance of engine surges or flameout; (c) optimizing the propeller/blade pitching angle at all flight ground phases, hence providing digital engine/propeller speed control and ensuring the avoidance of overspeed; and (d) setting the propeller/blades to feathering mode during engine failure, thus preventing them from aerodynamic loads.In terms of human interaction, FADEC (a) reduces the pilot workload when incorporated and (b) reduces the maintenance workload due to its digitized reliability, as well as the ease with which it can troubleshoot maintenance defects resulting from its Built-In Test (BITE) defect coding and fault isolation ability. 5. Originality ValueThis study's originality value lies in the documentation of the positive impact of digitized functions on a turbo-propeller aeroengine, not only from a technological perspective but also from an optimized-performance perspective, for a combined jet engine–propeller propulsion system and, ultimately, the functions' direct impact on flight safety.Also, the originality value lies in the digitization's positive impact on methods of preventing and capturing human error during engine/propeller operation, plus the exceptional performance of human-error-free maintenance during troubleshooting. 6. ContributionThis paper's contribution lies in the documented conclusion that, for a completely safely operating turbo-propeller engine, fully digitized authorized engine/propeller control systems with AI functions have to be embedded as a standard for the ultimate goal of flight safety and human error minimization, either during air operations or maintenance, but must still be under human governance. FundingThis research received no external funding.Institutional Review Board StatementAustralian University of Kuwait(AU)/ISCD (Internet Scientific Conference on Digitization) Committee Statement according to Committee's email on 8 November 2023. Approval Number is NOT applicable for AU/Committee.Informed Consent StatementNot applicable.Data Availability StatementData is contained within the article.Conflicts of InterestThe authors declare no conflicts of interest.ReferencesEuropean Aviation Safety Agency Aka EASA. PART-21. Commission Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, Revision 5, of 9 July 2021, for an Aircraft Production Organization Showing Conformity of Products, Parts and Appliances with the Applicable Design Data, PART-21, Subparts G–Production Organization Approval and J–Design Organization Approval, Clauses 21.A.131(a)–21.A.131(b), 21.A.145(a)–21.A.145(c). 2012. Available online: http://easa.europa.eu/lex/eu748.2012 (accessed on 17 July 2023).European Parliament and Council, Aka EP&C. Basic Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, on Common Rules in the Field of Civil Aviation and Establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), as Amended by, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1087 of 7 April 2021, Articles 5–8, Articles 9–13, Articles 75–76, Annex II, Clauses 1.1-3.3. 2018. Available online: https://easa.europa.eu/lex/eu1139.2018 (accessed on 17 July 2023).Lufthansa Technical Training, Aka LTT. M14. 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A Critical Conceptual Analysis of Definitions of Artificial Intelligence as Applicable to Computer Engineering. IOSR J. Comput. Eng. 2014, 16, 9–13. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]Disclaimer/Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. © 2024 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Share and Cite MDPI and ACS Style Pasialakos, C.A. Aircraft Digitization: The Innovative FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Computer) for Turbo-Propeller Aeroengines and AI Challenges to Optimized Engine Performance. Proceedings 2024, 101, 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024101008 AMA Style Pasialakos CA. Aircraft Digitization: The Innovative FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Computer) for Turbo-Propeller Aeroengines and AI Challenges to Optimized Engine Performance. Proceedings. 2024; 101(1):8. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024101008 Chicago/Turabian Style Pasialakos, Christoforos Ar. 2024. "Aircraft Digitization: The Innovative FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Computer) for Turbo-Propeller Aeroengines and AI Challenges to Optimized Engine Performance" Proceedings 101, no. 1: 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024101008 Article Metrics No No Article Access Statistics Multiple requests from the same IP address are counted as one view.