Final answer:
Alpha Floor protection is a safety function that automatically increases engine thrust to prevent stalling and is typically available under Normal Law. In Alternate Law, this protection may be lost or degraded, and its availability depends on the aircraft model and specific circumstances. Consultation of the aircraft's FCOM or technical documentation is required for a definitive answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is Alpha Floor protection available in Alternate Law? To answer this question, we should first understand that in the context of aviation, flight control laws are sets of rules that govern the behavior of an aircraft's flight control system. One of the features provided by some advanced aircraft's flight control systems is Alpha Floor protection, a safety function designed to prevent the aircraft from stalling by automatically increasing engine thrust when a high angle of attack (alpha) is detected.
In normal operations of aircraft such as those from the Airbus A320 family, there are several flight control laws: Normal Law, Alternate Law, and Direct Law, each providing different levels of automation and protection. Alpha Floor protection is typically available in Normal Law, which is the most protective state. However, in the event of certain failures, the aircraft may degrade to Alternate Law.
In Alternate Law, some protections, including angle of attack protections, may be lost or degraded, depending on the type of failures and specific aircraft. This means that Alpha Floor protection might not be available in some versions of Alternate Law. It's important for pilots to be aware of the specific functionalities available in each control law for the aircraft they are operating.
Final determination of whether Alpha Floor protection is available in Alternate Law on a specific aircraft type requires consulting that aircraft's Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM) or the relevant technical documentation, as this can vary based on manufacturer, aircraft model, and the systems in use.