Enhanced Redundancy in Flight Control Systems for Increased Resilience
In an extraordinary demonstration of aviation safety, a Qantas Airbus A380 managed to return safely to Singapore's Changi Airport in 2010, despite suffering an engine failure shortly after takeoff. The plane's robust design and the innovative 2H2E flight control system played a crucial role in this remarkable outcome.
The 2H2E architecture, a cornerstone of modern Airbus aircraft, consists of two segregated hydraulic circuits and two segregated electrical systems. This design represents a significant safety advancement in aviation, providing enhanced redundancy and backup. The figure above illustrates this architecture, with the two electrical systems represented by E1 in red and E2 in orange, and the blue system being the replaced hydraulic system.
Airbus developed a new concept for moving the aircraft's flight control surfaces: the Electro-Hydrostatic Actuator (EHA). This innovative technology uses electrical energy to create movement instead of hydraulic power. The reduction of the number of hydraulic circuits due to the EHA and the implementation of the 2H2E architecture was made possible by combining electrically powered actuators and conventional servocontrols.
Despite the damage caused by the engine explosion, the plane was flown back to the airport by the crew, with key safety systems like the autopilot and flight envelope protections functioning. The flight envelope protections prevent the aircraft from making dangerous moves, like flying too fast or too slow.
The 2H2E flight controls system proved its resilience during the 2010 A380 engine failure, showcasing a new standard in aviation safety now integral to modern Airbus aircraft. While the specific term "2H2E" is not widely recognised, the general principles of Airbus' fly-by-wire (FBW) systems were crucial in maintaining safety during critical situations like this.
Airbus aircraft typically use a sophisticated FBW system to enhance safety and performance. Key features of these systems include redundancy, automation, envelope protection, and fault tolerance. These features contribute to improved safety, reduced pilot workload, and enhanced efficiency.
The engine failure and subsequent safe landing demonstrated the effectiveness of the A380's safety systems and design in handling unexpected incidents. The 2H2E flight control system, first introduced on the A380 and now a standard for Airbus, being used in the A350 and the A400M, played a significant role in this outcome. The event highlighted the importance of redundant systems in aviation, as demonstrated by the 2H2E flight control system's ability to function even with significant damage to the hydraulic systems.
In conclusion, the 2H2E flight control system, while not a widely recognised term, is a testament to Airbus' commitment to aviation safety. Its implementation in modern Airbus aircraft has provided a robust and resilient system that can handle unexpected incidents, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew alike.
The 2H2E flight control system, now standard in modern Airbus aircraft including the A350 and A400M, demonstrates Airbus' commitment to enhancing safety in aviation, especially in unexpected incidents like the 2010 Qantas Airbus A380 engine failure. This system, whose general principles integrate with Airbus' fly-by-wire systems, offers increased redundancy and backup through the use of two segregated electrical systems and two hydraulic circuits.
