Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system has successfully cleared the critical milestone of flight testing, marking a significant advancement in indigenous aero engine technology.
The FADEC system is a sophisticated digital electronic control unit that autonomously manages all aspects of an aircraft’s engine performance. It operates by continuously receiving and analysing multiple input variables such as air density, throttle lever position, engine temperature, and pressure parameters at a rate of up to 70 times per second.
Based on these inputs, the FADEC computes and optimally regulates engine functions including fuel flow, stator vane positions, and bleed valve operations to ensure maximum engine efficiency, safety, and performance under varying flight conditions.
This indigenous FADEC system incorporates redundant safety-critical features, meaning it has multiple channels that switch control in case of a fault condition, enhancing reliability and ensuring continuous engine operation.
By automating engine control completely without manual override capability, it eliminates pilot workload associated with engine management and provides real-time health monitoring and diagnostic feedback. This capability allows for protective measures like automatically restricting engine parameters to prevent exceeding temperature or pressure limits autonomously.
