Book Review

Review

R. Ian Faulconbridge, Avionics Principles, Argos Press, Canberra, 2007.

Reviewed by Mark Patch

I completed a bachelor of civil engineering degree at the Royal Military College of Australia, but graduated into Army Aviation. As an engineer learning to be aircrew, I yearned to know more about the systems that operated the aircraft I was flying than the bare essentials that were presented in the Flight Manual. Where was Avionics Principles when I really needed it?

Ian Faulconbridge has done a masterly job of presenting very complex subject matter in a manner that enables it to be read on two levels—the technical level for those undergraduate and graduate engineers of all disciplines who aspire to understand modern avionics systems in detail, and the systems level for those, such as myself and other aircrew, who need to gain a more practical understanding of the operation of airborne avionics systems and how they contribute to the functionality of modern aircraft. Its presentation in a format that reads more like a Flight Manual enhances its readability for those familiar with this type of document.

In reading the text and particularly the case studies, I found myself pondering the considerable advance in aircraft avionics in the aircraft that I was fortunate enough to fly and then later procure since first graduating from the School of Army Aviation in 1981. From the venerable Kiowa through the UH-1H, Black Hawk and more recently the highly integrated reconnaissance mission equipment package on the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter and the ‘fly-by-wire’ flight controls or the MRH 90 Multi-role Helicopter, this book forces home the point that software and avionics have been the driving forces behind the rapid advancement in the operational capability of aircraft.

Maybe it was the engineer coming out in me, but I even found myself attempting to answer the review questions and answers to confirm I had understood each topic! The detailed references that Ian has included will be a great advantage to those who seek more depth in their knowledge and application.

As an Army Aviator of 27 years experience I found Avionics Principles to be an enlightening read. It will provide all those who have an interest in aerospace avionics with a text to meet their needs, whether that is to understand the technical detail or simply to gain a better understanding of the functionality of software within the system-of-systems that is a modern aircraft. For the aerospace professional, the book will provide a permanent adjunct to their Flight Manual and should live right beside it in your onboard documents.

Brigadier (Retired) Mark Patch is an experienced Army aviator who, through flying, command and more recently the leadership of Army Aviation acquisition and sustainment, has dedicated his career to military aerospace, particularly rotary wing. Since his retirement in mid 2006, he has continued to passionately support the advancement of military aviation within Australia through his work as a Brisbane based consultant.

Avionics Principles can be ordered online through Argos Press at:

http://www.argospress.com/books/avionics/index.htm.