Aircraft warning and caution systems provide critical alerts to the flight crew through visual and aural indications. These systems help ensure safe operation by identifying abnormal or hazardous conditions requiring attention.
Annunciator Panels
An annunciator panel is a group of warning lights in plain sight of the pilot. These lights are identified by the name of the system they represent and are usually covered with colored lenses to show the meaning of the condition they announce. Annunciator panels are installed for two purposes: to display current conditions and to indicate unsatisfactory conditions. Standardized colors are used to differentiate between visual messages. For example, the color green indicates a satisfactory condition. Yellow is used to indicate a condition that requires caution and further monitoring. Red is the color for an unsatisfactory condition that requires immediate attention or action. Whether part of the instrument face or of a visual warning system, these colors give quick-reference information to the pilot.
Most aircraft include annunciator lights that illuminate when an event demanding attention occurs. These use the aforementioned colors in a variety of presentations. Individual lights near the associated flight deck instrument or a collective display of lights for various systems in a central location are common. Words label each light or are part of the light itself to identify any problem quickly and plainly.
On complex aircraft, the status of numerous systems and components must be known and maintained. Centralized warning systems have been developed to annunciate critical messages concerning a multitude of systems and components in a simplified, organized manner. Often, this will be done by locating a single annunciator panel somewhere on the instrument panel. These analog aircraft warning systems may look different in various aircraft and depend on manufacturer preference and the systems installed. [Figure 1]
 |
| Figure 1. The centralized analog annunciator panel has indicator lights from systems and components throughout the aircraft. It is supported by the master caution system |
EFIS provides for annunciation of advisory and warning messages as part of its flight control and monitoring capabilities, as previously described. Usually, the primary display unit is designated as the location to display annunciations.
Master caution lights are used to draw the attention of the crew to a critical situation in addition to an annunciator that describes the problem. These master caution lights are centrally wired and illuminate whenever any of the participating systems or components require attention. Once notified, the pilot may cancel the master caution, but a dedicated system or component annunciator light stays illuminated until the situation that caused the warning is rectified.
Cancelling resets the master caution lights to warn of a subsequent fault event even before the initial fault is corrected. [Figure 2] A press-to-test function is available for the entire annunciator system, which energizes all warning circuitry and lights to confirm readiness. Often, this test exposes the need to replace the tiny light bulbs that are used in the system.
 |
| Figure 2. A master caution switch removed from the instrument panel |
Aural Warning Systems
Aircraft aural warning systems work in conjunction with illuminated annunciator systems. They audibly inform the pilot of a situation requiring attention. Various tones and phrases sound in the flight deck to alert the crew when certain conditions exist. For example, an aircraft with retractable landing gear uses an aural warning system to alert the crew to an unsafe condition. A bell sounds if the throttle is retarded and the landing gear is not in a down-and-locked condition.
A typical transport category aircraft has an aural warning system that alerts the pilot with audio signals for the following: abnormal takeoff, landing, pressurization, Mach airspeed conditions, an engine or wheel well fire, calls from the crew call system, collision avoidance recommendations, and more. Table 1 shows some of the problems that trigger aural warnings and the action to be taken to correct the situation.
| Examples of Aircraft Aural Warnings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage of Operation | Warning System | Warning Signal | Cause of Warning Signal Activation | Corrective Action |
| Takeoff | Flight control | Intermittent horn | Throttles are advanced and any of the following conditions exist:
| Correct the aircraft to proper takeoff conditions |
| In flight | Mach warning | Clacker | Equivalent airspeed or Mach number exceeds limits | Decrease aircraft speed |
| In flight | Pressurization | Intermittent horn | If cabin pressure becomes equal to atmospheric pressure at the specific altitude (altitude at time of occurrence) | Correct the condition |
| Landing | Landing gear | Continuous horn | Landing gear is not down and locked when flaps are less than full up and throttle is retarded to idle | Raise flaps; advance throttle |
| Any stage | Fire warning | Continuous bell | Any overheat condition or fire in any engine or nacelle, or main wheel or nose wheel well, APU engine, or any compartment having fire warning system installed. Whenever the fire warning system is tested. | 1. Lower the heat in the area where in the F/W was activated 2. Signal may be silenced pushing the F/W bell cutout switch or the APU cutout switch |
| Any stage | Communications | High chime | Any time Captain's call button is pressed at external power panel forward or rearward cabin attendant's panel | Release button; if button remains locked in, pull button out |
Table 1. Aircraft aural warnings
What is the standard color coding for aircraft annunciator lights?
How does the Master Caution reset logic function?
What conditions typically trigger aural warning systems?
What is the technical purpose of the Press-to-Test function?
RELATED POSTS