AFS Flight Guidance

Question 1

What are the component parts of the Auto Flight System?

Answer 1

1. The Flight Guidance
2. The FMS
3. The Flight Envelope
4. The Flight Control Data Concentrator

Question 2

What is represented and where on the FMA?

Answer 2

Click on the image to expand

Question 3

Which PRIM is master?

Answer 3

The PRIM calculated to have the best operational capability.

Each PRIM calculates its own capability and then they compare.

If all are equal, the first to power up becomes the master.

Question 4

In which laws are the flight directors available?

Answer 4

Normal and alternate only.

Question 5

Where is approach capability calculated?

Answer 5

It’s calculated in the PRIMs and sent to the Flight Control Data Concentrator for display management.

Question 6

What determines a given Autothrust mode?

Answer 6

The AP/FD vertical mode determines the associated A/THR mode.

Question 7

What lateral flight director guidance is provided during the take-off and landing roll?

Answer 7

The yaw bar is displayed during takeoff or landing roll.

The yaw bar only appears in RWY and ROLL OUT.

Question 8

When flying manually, what happens to the flight director pitch bar on short finals?

Answer 8

With the AP off, the pitch bar disappears below 50 ft RA.

Question 9

If the flight directors are off and TOGA is selected, what effect does this have on them?

Answer 9

They automatically engage.

Question 10

What does this annunciation mean in the engagement column of the FMA?

Answer 10

FD1 and FD2 are engaged but the FD bars are not displayed on FD1.

The AIR DATA selector is set on the CAPT ON BKUP position. The air data displayed on the PFD of the CAPT are not the same compared to the air data used by the FD1 guidance.

Question 11

When flying manually and the flight directors are turned off, what happens to the autothrust?

Answer 11

Vertical and lateral modes are disengaged.

Autothrust reverts to ‘SPEED or MACH’ mode.

Question 12

If the LOC beam is disturbed during the approach, what is a possible effect on the flight system?

Answer 12

The AP/FDs automatically disengage, if in approach, the LOC signal is disturbed (for example LOC beam masking). As the disturbance may be temporary, the flight crew can try to engage the AP/FD again.

Question 13

Flight director disengagement can occur when flying manually if……?

Answer 13

The aircraft speed is 2 kt below VLS in DES, OP DES

The aircraft speed is 4 kt above VMAX in CLB or OP CLB.

The thrust levers are set to TOGA and red terrain (obstacle) alerts are triggered.