1/18/23 Automatic Flight

Question 1

From left to right, what are the three FMA mode annunciations?

Answer 1

The mode annunciations, from left to right, are:
• autothrottle
• roll
• pitch

Question 2

How is independent F/D operation indicated on the MCP?

Answer 2

Both MA (master) lights are illuminated

Independent F/D operation is indicated by illumination of both MA lights (each FCC is controlling modes for related F/D).

Question 3

Except for when APP is engaged, what will selecting the non-operating A/P do?

Answer 3

Switches the operating A/P.

Pushing the engage switch for the second A/P (when not in the approach mode) engages the second A/P and disengages the first A/P.

Question 4

What does an amber CWS R or CWS P on the Flight Mode Annunciator mean?

Answer 4

CWS R = roll axis in control wheel steering or,
CWS P = pitch axis in control wheel steering.

Rectangle is a change highlight and flashes for 10 seconds when CWS Mode engages

Question 5

What causes the Autopilot to disengage?

Answer 5

The A/P automatically disengages when any of the following occurs:
- pushing either A/P disengage switch
- column or wheel force override7,7F

NOTE: For a column and/or wheel force override of a single or dual channel CMD engaged autopilot, in approach or non-approach phase of flight, the autopilot will maintain the active pitch and roll modes with Flight Director guidance.7,7F

• pushing either Takeoff/Go-around (TO/GA) switch with a single A/P engaged in CWS or CMD:
  • below 2000 ft RA, or
  • at any altitude with Flaps extended or G/S engaged
• pushing either TO/GA switch with a single A/P engaged in CWS or CMD above 2000 ft RA with flaps not up, or G/S engaged
• pushing either TO/GA switch after touchdown with both A/Ps engaged in CMD
• pushing an illuminated A/P ENGAGE switch
• pushing the A/P DISENGAGE bar down
• activating either pilot’s control wheel trim switch
• moving the STAB TRIM AUTOPILOT cutout switch to CUTOUT[9MAX]
• either left or right IRS system failure or FAULT light illuminated
• loss of electrical power or a sensor input which prevents proper operation of the engaged A/P and mode
• loss of respective hydraulic system pressure

NOTE: Loss of the system A engine-driven hydraulic pump, and a heavy demand on system A, may cause A/P A to disengage.

Question 6

What does the STAB OUT OF TRIM (amber) light indicate?

Answer 6

with autopilot engaged, the autopilot is not trimming the
stabilizer properly

Question 7

What system normally provides N1 limit values for the Autothrottle system?

Answer 7

The FMC.

N1 limit reference is normally calculated by the FMC.

Question 8

Which FMA annunciation indicates that power has been removed from the Autothrottle servos?

Answer 8

THR HLD

The autothrottle automatically engages the THR HOLD mode during the takeoff ground roll. When THR HOLD is engaged, power is removed from the A/T servo motors. This prevents thrust levers from moving during the takeoff roll and initial climb out. Two separate functions remove power from the servo motors:
- a software function, and
- a hardware function
Only when both functions have removed power to the servo motors will the A/T mode display THR HLD on the FMA.
NOTE: The thrust levers can still be manually set by the pilot

Question 9

What mode will the A/T be in during a V/S descent?

Answer 9

SPD mode

MCP SPD

Question 10

What pitch mode will the FMA annunciate in LVL CHG?

Answer 10

MCP SPD

LVL CHG switch, when pushed engages the LVL CHG mode and coordinates pitch and thrust commands to make automatic climbs and descents to preselected altitudes at selected airspeeds. The LVL CHG switch illuminates green and the FMA annunciates:
- N1 for climb and RETARD followed by ARM for descent as the A/T mode
- MCP SPD as the pitch mode for climb or descent
- the IAS/MACH Display and airspeed cursors display target speed

Question 11

The bank angle selector sets maximum bank angle for AFDS operation in which roll modes?

Answer 11

HDG SEL or VOR modes

Sets maximum bank angle for AFDS operation in HDG SEL or VOR modes. The commanded bank angle can be selected at 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 degrees.

Question 12

What happens when deviating by 200 ft or more from a target altitude?

Answer 12

When deviating by 200 ft from the selected altitude:
- a momentary tone sounds, and
- the current altitude box turns amber and begins to flash
The amber flashing continues until:
- altitude deviation becomes less than 200 ft
- altitude deviation becomes more than 900 ft
- a new altitude is selected

Question 13

After selecting TO/GA, what pitch attitude will the AFDS initially command on a two engine go-around? Single engine go-around?

Answer 13

Two engine go around: pitch commands 15° nose up until reaching programmed rate of climb. F/D pitch then commands target airspeed for each flap setting based on maximum takeoff weight calculations.

Single engine go around: commands 13° nose up. As climb rate increases, F/D pitch commands maintain a target speed.

Question 14

On a go-around with the Autothrottle armed, what will one push of the TO/GA switch command? Two pushes?

Answer 14

First push:
- A/T (if armed) engages in GA and advances thrust toward the reduced go-around N1 to produce 1000 to 2000 fpm rate of climb. The A/T Engaged Mode annunciation on the FMA indicates GA.
- autopilot (if engaged) disengages.
- F/D roll commands approach ground track at time of engagement. The Roll Engaged Mode annunciation on the FMA is blank.
- pitch mode engages in TO/GA and the Pitch Engaged Mode annunciation on the FMA indicates TO/GA.
- F/D pitch commands 15° nose up until reaching programmed rate of climb. F/D pitch then commands target airspeed for each flap setting based on maximum takeoff weight calculations.
- the command airspeed cursor automatically moves to a target airspeed for the existing flap position based on maximum takeoff weight calculations.
- the IAS/Mach display blanks.

Second Push:
- the A/T advances to the full go-around N1 limit
TO/GA mode termination from F/D go-around:
- below 400 ft RA, both F/D switches must be turned off
- above 400 ft RA, select a different pitch or roll mode
• if the roll mode is changed first:
- F/D roll engages in the selected mode
- F/D pitch mode remains in TO/GA
• if the pitch mode is changed first:
- F/D pitch engages in the selected mode
- F/D roll mode automatically changes to HDG SEL
• the A/T GA mode (if engaged) is terminated when:
- another pitch mode is selected
- ALT ACQ annunciates engaged
NOTE: Engaging an A/P in CMD automatically engages the A/P and F/Ds in LVL CHG for pitch and HDG SEL for roll.