What is a FADEC?

• A. A full-authority digital electronic control (FADEC)
• B. A mechanical governor
• C. An analog fuel regulator
• D. A hydraulic control unit

Answer: (A)

FADEC is a full-authority digital electronic control system that governs an engine’s operation. It uses a digital computer to continuously monitor inputs from multiple sensors and then precisely command fuel metering and ignition timing to achieve the desired power and operating conditions. Because it has full authority, it can override other subsystems or shut the engine down if a limit is exceeded or a fault is detected, providing protection and automatic safety responses. This digital, centralized control delivers accurate, repeatable fuel scheduling, optimizes performance across flight envelopes, and reduces pilot workload. It replaces older approaches that relied on mechanical governors, analog fuel regulators, or hydraulic control units, which lack the digital computation, safeguards, and diagnostics of a FADEC.