Auto Flight Flashcards
FMGC 1 generates commands for:
Autopilot 1
Flight Director 1
Autothrust
FMGC 2 generates commands for:
Autopilot 2
Flight Director 2
Autothrust
With autopilots off, FMGC _
With autopilot 1 on, FMGC _
With autopilot 2 on, FMGC _
1 is the master and 2 is the backup
1 is the master and 2 is the backup
2 is the master and 1 is the backup
Recall the function of the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA).
the primary tool used to monitor the status and performance of the autoflight systems.
Recall the organization of the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA).
▪ Column 1: autothrust system ▪ Column 2: autoflight vertical mode ▪ Column 3: autoflight lateral mode ▪ Column 4: approach capabilities and minimums ▪ Column 5: autoflight status
Explain the color convention of FMA annunciations.
▪ Green ▪ Blue ▪ Magenta ▪ White ▪ Amber ▪ Red
▪ Green – engaged mode
▪ Blue – armed mode
▪ Magenta – altitude constraints (if vertical path includes a level segment).
▪ White – approach capabilities, certain autothrust modes, and autoflight system status.
▪ Amber – thrust and/or flight control system caution messages.
▪ Red – significant flight control system degradation.
Recall how to engage and disengage the flight directors.
▪ The Flight Director system is automatically engaged (powered) when electrical power is established on the aircraft.
▪ A respective FD pb, located on each Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS)
control panel can be used to manually engage or disengage its respective FD.
▪ A green light within the pb indicates that the respective FD is engaged.
Recall the various Flight Director related indications on the second line of column 5 of the FMA.
▪ If FMGC 1 has failed: 2FD2 is displayed.
▪ If FMGC 2 has failed: 1FD1 is displayed.
AUTOTHRUST armed:
MAN FLEX or TOGA in column 1, A/THR blue in column 5
AUTOTHRUST active:
A/THR white in column 5
active range for 2 engine is CLB to just above idle
active range for 1 engine is FLX/MCT to just above idle
AUTOTHRUST off:
column 1 and column 5 blank
AUTOTHRUST activated by:
Disconnected by:
activated on takeoff when thrust levers placed in FLX or TOGA detent with both engines running
disconnected by thrust levers to idle
pressing instinctive disconnect pb
pressing the illuminated A/THR lb on the FCU
Explain the difference between the Thrust mode and Speed/Mach mode.
o Thrust Mode:
o Speed/Mach Mode:
o Thrust Mode:
▪ A specific thrust level is maintained, and the target airspeed is achieved through pitch changes.
▪ Used during climbs and descents when no specific rate is required.
o Speed/Mach Mode:
▪ Thrust output varies to maintain the target airspeed or mach.
▪ Used during level flight, or during climbs/descents when a specific rate must be maintained.
Recall the FMA column 1 indications of Thrust mode and Speed/Mach mode.
o Thrust Mode:
o Speed/Mach Mode:
▪ MAN TOGA, MAN FLX, MCT, THR CLB, THR IDLE
▪ SPEED or MACH
Recall the Autothrust system’s default operating mode with Autopilots and Flight Directors off.
Speed/Mach mode
Explain the Autothrust System’s Alpha Floor feature.
o Commands TOGA thrust when the aircraft reaches a very high angle of attack.
o Is available from lift-off down to 100ft RA.
o Functions regardless of thrust lever position or autothrust status.
• If off, autothrust will self-activate.
• Aircraft must be in Normal Law with a functional autothrust system.
Once the condition causing Alpha Floor is resolved, thrust remains at TOGA (TOGA LK) until pilot intervention.
Recall the indications associated with Alpha Floor.
o A. FLOOR (green) surrounded by an amber box in column 1 of the FMA.
o A. FLOOR (amber) above the N1 displays on the E/WD.
o Engine thrust automatically accelerates to TOGA.
▪ Once the condition which caused Alpha Floor no longer exists
• TOGA Lock engages.
• TOGA LK (green) replaces the A. FLOOR indications on FMA.
Explain VLS.
▪ VLS is defined as the “Lowest Selectable Speed”. It is an airspeed calculated by the FACs based on aircraft gross
weight and configuration.
▪ It is intended to advise the pilot of the lowest airspeed that should be selected in the current configuration.
Describe where VLS is displayed.
VLS is displayed on the airspeed indicator in the form of an amber hook. It is displayed regardless of Flight Control Law or the status of autothrust.
NOTE: The position of the amber hook is not fixed and will adjust as the result of changes to aircraft’s configuration
(Flaps, Spoilers, Landing Gear).
Recall when SRS (Speed Reference System) becomes active.
▪ At takeoff when thrust levers are placed in either FLX or TOGA.
▪ During a go-around when the thrust levers are placed in TOGA and Flaps 1 or greater has been selected.
Describe MANAGED guidance of the Autoflight system.
o Allows the autoflight system to follow commands generated by the FMS.
▪ Autoflight system complies with the lateral, vertical and target airspeed profiles defined by
the FMGCs’ entered flight plan and constraints entered by the pilot.
o MANAGED guidance is engaged or armed by momentarily pushing the respective knob on the FCU:
NOTE: Pushing the V/S / FPA knob does not result in activating a MANAGED mode. This action would result in the aircraft
immediately leveling off (V/S 0).
Describe SELECTED guidance of the Autoflight system.
- Pulling the SPD/MACH knob selects specific target airspeed.
- Pulling the HDG/TRK knob selects a specific heading.
- Pulling the altitude knob engages an open climb or open descent.
- Pulling the V/S / FPA knob selects a specific vertical speed or flight path angle climb or descent.
NOTE: SELECTED guidance always takes priority over MANAGED guidance
Explain the relationship between VLS and the Autothrust System.
▪ When autothrust is active and the aircraft is in Normal Law, thrust will automatically
increase to prevent the airspeed from decreasing below VLS.
▪ The pilot selected airspeed, if lower than VLS, will be ignored.
NOTE: Unlike ALPHA Floor protection, autothrust will not self-activate, if OFF, to
provide lowest safe speed protection.
