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Topic question bank: Type Specific Questions, B737

Questions and Answers

ANTI-ICE

What areas of the 737NG are protected by the anti-ice system?

The 737NG anti-ice system protects several critical components using both pneumatic and electrical means:

Pneumatically Heated (Bleed Air):

  • Engine cowl lips – protected by the Engine Anti-Ice system
  • Three inboard leading edge slats on each wing – protected by the Wing Anti-Ice system

    Note: The wing anti-ice system does not include the outboard slats or the leading edge flaps. It is effective with the slats in any position.

Electrically Heated:

  • Pitot probes (3 on the fuselage)
  • Elevator pitot probes (2 on the tail)
  • AOA (alpha) vanes (2)
  • TAT (total air temperature) probe
  • Flight deck windows (via the window heat system)
  • Windshield wipers
Is wing anti-ice available on the ground?

Yes, the wing anti-ice system is available on the ground, but only under specific conditions:

  • Thrust on both engines must be below the setting that triggers the takeoff configuration warning
  • The temperature inside the wing distribution ducts must be below the thermal switch activation threshold

When these conditions are met, positioning the WING ANTI-ICE switch to ON opens both control valves.

Additional Notes:

  • If either engine’s thrust exceeds the takeoff warning threshold or if there is a duct overtemperature, both valves close automatically.
  • The switch remains physically in the ON position on the ground even if the valves close.
  • At lift-off, the system automatically trips OFF when the air/ground sensor switches to air mode.
How is engine anti-ice activated and what does it protect?

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When should engine anti-ice be used according to the FCOM?

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How is wing anti-ice operated on the 737NG?

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Which parts of the wing are protected by the anti-ice system?

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Can engine anti-ice be used during takeoff?

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What powers the anti-ice systems on the 737NG?

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What are the consequences of failing to use anti-ice in icing conditions?

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How does the use of anti-ice affect fuel consumption?

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ELEC

What is automatic load shedding and when does it occur?

Automatic load shedding is a protection feature designed to prevent electrical overload when operating on a single generator or under limited power conditions.

It occurs in the following situations:

  • Engine generator operation (single source):
  • Galleys and main buses on transfer bus 2 are shed first
  • If overload persists, galleys and main buses on transfer bus 1 are shed
  • If still overloaded, IFE buses are shed
  • When two generators are available, all buses are automatically restored

  • Manual restoration of galley and main bus power can be attempted by toggling the CAB/UTIL Power Switch OFF then ON

  • APU operation (in flight, APU as sole source):

  • All galley and main buses are shed automatically
  • If overload continues, IFE buses are also shed
  • On the ground, the APU attempts to carry the full load and sheds buses only if overload is detected
  • Manual restoration is also possible via the CAB/UTIL Power Switch

Note: Load shedding helps prioritize essential systems by temporarily disabling non-essential loads.

What are the main sources of AC electrical power on the 737NG?

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What is the voltage and frequency of AC power generated by the IDGs?

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What is the function of the IDG (Integrated Drive Generator)?

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Can both AC transfer busses be powered by the same IDG?

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What are the roles of the transformer rectifiers (TRs)?

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How many TR units are installed and how are they powered?

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What is the function of the static inverter?

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What buses are powered by the APU generator?

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What happens when the external power is connected?

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What is the purpose of the ground service switch?

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What buses are powered by the ground service switch?

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Can both AC sources be paralleled on the 737NG?

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What is the function of the Bus Tie Breakers (BTBs)?

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How does the bus tie system operate automatically?

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Can the IDG be disconnected in flight?

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What buses do TR1, TR2, and TR3 power?

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What conditions cause the cross bus tie relay to open automatically?

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How is the DC standby bus powered in normal operation?

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What is the function of the main and auxiliary batteries?

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What is the voltage and type of the aircraft batteries?

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Which buses are powered by battery in case of total generator loss?

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What triggers alternate standby power operation?

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What happens when the standby power switch is turned to BAT?

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What is the effect of turning the standby power switch OFF?

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FCTL

What is the function of the Mach trim system?

The Mach trim system provides speed stability at higher Mach numbers. Above Mach 0.615, it automatically adjusts the elevators relative to the stabilizer to compensate for Mach tuck.

The system uses Mach data from the ADIRU to determine the required adjustment. A Mach trim actuator repositions the elevator feel and centering unit, effectively modifying the neutral position of the control column as speed increases.

What are the primary flight control surfaces on the 737NG?

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How are the ailerons powered and controlled?

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How is roll control maintained in case of a hydraulic failure?

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What is the function of the flight spoilers during normal flight?

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Which spoilers are used for roll augmentation?

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How are the elevator surfaces powered and actuated?

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What is the purpose of the elevator feel system?

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How does the autopilot interact with the stabilizer trim?

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How is yaw control achieved on the 737NG?

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What happens to the rudder in case of a dual hydraulic system failure?

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How is the yaw damper powered and what does it do?

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How is aileron trim performed and is it commonly used?

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What happens in case of an elevator control column jam on the 737NG?

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What are the speedbrake extension limits in flight?

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How are the trailing edge flaps powered and controlled?

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What is the purpose of the flap load relief system?

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What triggers the autoslat system and what does it do?

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What is the maximum altitude at which flaps can be extended on the 737NG?

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Is holding with flaps extended permitted in icing conditions?

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Can speedbrakes be used when flaps are set to 15 or more?

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Why should rapid alternating control inputs be avoided?

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HYD

What components are powered by hydraulic system B?

Hydraulic system B powers the following components:
- Ailerons
- Rudder
- Elevators and elevator feel
- Two flight spoilers per wing
- Leading edge flaps and slats
- Trailing edge flaps
- Normal brakes
- No. 2 thrust reverser
- Autopilot B
- Alternate nose wheel steering
- Landing gear transfer unit
- Autoslats
- Yaw damper

How many hydraulic systems are installed on the 737NG?

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What components are powered by hydraulic system A?

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What does the standby hydraulic system power?

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How is hydraulic pressure normally generated on the 737NG?

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How is the standby system activated automatically?

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In what situation would you manually activate the standby hydraulic system?

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What is the function of the Power Transfer Unit (PTU)?

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What conditions trigger the PTU to operate?

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What happens when you switch off an engine-driven pump?

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How are the hydraulic reservoirs pressurized?

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What is the normal operating pressure of the hydraulic system?

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How are the brake systems affected by the loss of system B?

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Which hydraulic system powers the thrust reversers?

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What are the consequences of a dual hydraulic system failure?

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How are the brake systems affected by the loss of system B?

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What is the role of the brake accumulator?

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Which hydraulic system powers the thrust reversers?

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How is the landing gear retracted and extended?

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What happens if system A fails in flight?

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Is manual reversion available for flight controls if hydraulic systems are lost?

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How can you monitor hydraulic quantity and pressure during flight?

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What are the consequences of a dual hydraulic system failure?

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LG

Under what conditions does autobrake disarm automatically?

Autobrake disarms automatically when:
- Manual brakes are applied
- Speedbrake lever is moved to the down detent
- Advancing the forward thrust lever(s), except during the 3 first seconds after touchdown
- System fault occurs

Explain the sequence of gear retraction and extension on the 737NG.

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What system prevents the landing gear from being retracted while on the ground?

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How is the landing gear secured in the retracted position?

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Is there a mechanical system to ensure the landing gear stays locked down?

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What are the consequences if hydraulic system A fails during gear retraction?

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How can the landing gear be extended if hydraulic system A is unavailable?

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Can the landing gear be retracted after using the manual extension system?

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What cockpit indications show the gear is not locked down?

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Which system powers nose wheel steering?

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What impact does a hydraulic B system failure have on nose wheel steering?

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Which hydraulic system normally powers the main wheel brakes?

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How are brakes powered if hydraulic system B fails?

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How is braking ensured if both normal and alternate brake system pressure are lost?

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Describe the antiskid protection system.

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How is the autobrake system landing mode armed and triggered?

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Is the autobrake system usable during a rejected takeoff, and how?

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What are the specific requirements for RTO mode to arm?

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Describe BTMS.

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Why are overheated brakes a concern?

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How do you determine brake cooling time after an RTO?

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Does the 737 use brake fans, and how else can brakes be cooled?

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What are the $V_{LO}$ and $V_{LE}$ limits on the 737?

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What is the maximum tire ground speed for the 737NG?

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General

What is the wingspan of the B737-800 with winglets?

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What is the length of the B737-800?

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What is the severe turbulent air penetration speed during climb and descent?

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