What is the effect of the emergency accumulator on steering authority during hydraulic loss?

• A. Provides two sweeps of steering authority
• B. Provides continuous steering authority
• C. Provides no steering authority
• D. Provides three sweeps of steering authority

Answer: (A)

When hydraulic power is lost, the emergency accumulator provides a limited reserve of pressure to the steering system. That stored energy gives the pilot two short bursts, or sweeps, of steering authority. It’s enough to reposition the aircraft enough to taxi or reach a safe area, but it’s not continuous power and it will be exhausted after those two sweeps. So the best way to think about it is: the emergency accumulator grants two discrete steering inputs when normal hydraulics aren’t available, not an endless or continuous level of steering.