A320 Communications Flashcards
How many VHF radios does the airbus have?
3
What is the VHF frequency range?
118.0-136.975
Where are the VHF antennas located?
VHF 1 - On top of the fuselage near the front of the aircraft
VHF 2 - Under the fuselage near the rear of the aircraft
VHF 3 - On top of the fuselage toward the rear of the aircraft
What’s unique about VHF 3?
VHF 1 and 2 are used exclusively for voice communication. VHF 3 is usually used for ACARS communication but can also be used as an additional voice communication if necessary.
What does RMP stand for?
Radio management panel
How can you turn on/off an RMP?
But switching the on/off toggle switch
When does the “SEL” light illuminate on the RMP’s?
When any RMP is selected to a non-dedicated radio. e.g. When the FO’s RMP is selected to VHF1 or the Captains RMP is selected to VHF 2.
What does ACP stand for?
Audio control panel
What are the 3 ways you can transmit over the radio?
By pressing the side stick push-to-talk trigger, pressing the int/rad switch to the “rad” position, or pressing the push-to-talk button on the hand microphone.
How can ground personal contact the flight deck?
By using the controls in the external power panel
Where is the external power panel located?
It is located forward of the nose gear under the fuselage
What happens when the “cockpit call” button is pressed on the external power panel? How does the cockpit answer ground personnel?
The “MECH” light flashes on the INT transmission key, and a buzzer sounds. Ground personnel can be contacted by pressing the “INT” transmission key on the ACP, the INT reception knob pushed out, and transmitting like normal through the 3 different transmission methods.
What does SELCAL stand for?
SELective-CALling radio system
What happens when the aircraft recieves a SELCAL?
The “CALL” light illuminates on the specific radio transmission key on which the request was sent, accompanied by a buzzer.
What does it mean when the aircraft receives a SELCAL?
That a ground radio station requests communication
How can you get the MECH, ATT, and CALL lights on the ACP transmission keys to turn off after they’ve illuminated?
The MECH and ATT lights will time out after a short period and turn themselves off. The CALL light will not time out and can only be turned off by hitting the reset button. However the MECH and ATT lights can also be turned off with the reset button.
What does the VOICE pushbutton on the ACP do?
It is used to inhibit the Morse code identifier signals when monitoring navigation radios, however, the recorded voice navaid identifier is still heard.
What can be done if the Captains of FO’s ACP fails?
ACP 3 can be used in lieu of the Captains or FO’s ACP by turning the “AUDIO SWITCHING’ knob located next to ACP 3, to either the Captains or FO’s side.
What ECAM message is displayed if the AUDIO SWITCHING knob is turned to either the CAPT or F/O position?
AUDIO 3 XFRD
What happens to a 3rd occupants headset when the AUDIO SWITCHING knob is set to either CAPT or F/O?
It becomes unusable
When does the oxygen mask microphone become activated?
As soon as the left door of the oxygen mask storage compartment is opened
How do you turn off the oxygen mask microphone when no longer in use?
Closing the left door of the oxygen mask compartment and pressing the RESET/TEST button on the left door
What controls cabin inter-communications and other cabin functions?
The 2 Cabin Intercommunication Data System (CIDS) computers
How many Cabin Intercommunication Data System computers does the Airbus have?
2, but all functions can be performed by just 1 in the event of a failure
What ECAM is displayed if both CIDS fail?
COM CIDS 1+2 FAULT
What do the CIDS control?
-PA system
-General cabin illumination and signs
-Cargo compartment and lavatory smoke detection
-Emergency evacuation signaling
-Escape slide bottle pressure monitoring
-Vacuum system control function
-Cabin and service interphone systems
-Passenger entertainment systems
How many interphone systems are there?
3
What are the 3 different interphone systems?
Flight interphone - communication between the flight deck and the pushback coordinator
Cabin interphone - communication between the flight deck and the cabin
Service interphone - communication between the flight deck and all maintenance receptacles around the exterior of the aircraft, and between each of those maintenance receptacles
When is the hot mic feature inhibited?
When the push-to-talk button on the side stick or hand microphone is pressed
When is the service interphone system inhibited?
When the aircraft becomes airborne and the gear is not depressed
Can the service interphone system be used when the gear is not compressed?
Yes, by pressing the SVCE INT OVRD button on the overhead panel
What happens when the FWD or AFT calls PB’s are pressed?
A high-low chime sounds in the corresponding section of the cabin, two pink lights on the cabin CALLS panel illuminate (next to the EXIT signs on the ceiling), and the message “CAPTAIN CALL” appears on the attendant indication panel accompanied by a green light.
What happens when the EMER call PB is pressed?
3 high-low chimes sound in ALL cabin loudspeakers, two pink lights flash at ALL area CALL panels (by the overhead EXIT signs), and “EMERGENCY CALL” appears in red on ALL attendant indication panels accompanied by a red light
What happens when the MECH calls PB is pressed?
An external horn sounds and the “COCKPIT CALL” light illuminates on the external power panel
What the difference between when a flight attendant hits the captain call vs emergency call buttons on their phone?
When the captain call button is pressed only a single buzzer sounds in the flight deck. When the emergency call button is pressed 3 buzzers sounds are heard in the flight deck.
When is the buzzer for the flight attendant regular calls and emergency calls inhibited?
Below 1500 feet during takeoff and below 800 feet on approach until touchdown. The flashing call light will still illuminate just the buzzer won’t sound
