This SAE Aerospace Information Report (AIR) provides methodologies and approaches that have been used to install and integrate full-authority-digital-engine-control (FADEC) systems on transport category aircraft. Although the information provided is based on turbofan engines installed on large commercial transports, many of the issues raised are equally applicable to corporate, general aviation, regional and commuter aircraft, and to military installations, particularly when commercial aircraft are employed by military users.

The word "engine" is used to designate the aircraft propulsion system. The engine station designations used in this report are shown in Figure 1.

Most of the material concerns an Electronic Engine Control (EEC) with its associated software, and its functional integration with the aircraft. However, the report also addresses the physical environment associated with the EEC and its associated wiring and sensors.

Since most of today's transport category engines use dual-channel full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) systems, this is the configuration which is primarily addressed. A typical FADEC system configuration is shown in Figure 2. Special considerations that pertain to single-channel FADEC systems or limited authority "supervisory" control systems are also addressed.

Purpose:

This report provides guidance to engine/control designers and aircraft system designers on the issues associated with the installation and integration of engine control systems with aircraft systems. Future technologies employed may be different from those addressed in this report, but the basic concepts are the same. The readers must judge the importance of the concepts being addressed to the technology that they are employing in a new application. The examples used have satisfied the requirements in existence at the time of design/certification; they are not considered requirements.

Field of Application:

The field of application is aerospace, primarily the commercial transport aircraft and their engines certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), part 25, but it may also apply to commuter aircraft and their engines certified under part 23 and rotorcraft certified under parts 27 and 29, which are used for commercial transport service.