Lennonohjausjärjestelmä

Lennonohjausjärjestelmä, commonly referred to as a flight control system, is a set of components that allow a pilot to control the aircraft's attitude and flight path. These systems are crucial for safe and efficient flight operations, enabling pilots to maneuver the aircraft by adjusting its surfaces.

Modern flight control systems can be broadly categorized into two types: mechanical and fly-by-wire. Mechanical systems use a direct physical linkage, such as cables, pulleys, and pushrods, to transmit control inputs from the pilot's stick or yoke to the control surfaces like ailerons, elevators, and rudder. While robust and reliable, mechanical systems can be heavy and require significant pilot effort, especially in larger aircraft.

Fly-by-wire systems, on the other hand, replace the mechanical linkages with electronic signals. The pilot's inputs are converted into electrical signals, which are then processed by flight computers. These computers then send commands to actuators that move the control surfaces. Fly-by-wire systems offer advantages such as reduced weight, improved handling qualities through computer-aided adjustments, and the ability to implement flight envelope protection, preventing the aircraft from exceeding safe operating limits.

The primary control surfaces operated by the flight control system are the ailerons, which control roll; the elevators, which control pitch; and the rudder, which controls yaw. Depending on the aircraft's design, other surfaces like flaps and spoilers can also be part of the flight control system, aiding in lift augmentation or drag generation. The effective operation of the lennonohjausjärjestelmä is fundamental to the stability and maneuverability of any aircraft.