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 _
Which FMGC is the master and which is the standby:
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 autopilot.
To engage–select either the AP1 or AP2 pb on the Flight Control Unit(FCU).
To disengage:
• Pressing the autopilot disconnect pb on either sidestick (preferred method).
- Selecting the illuminated AP1or AP2 pb on the FCU.
- Displacing either sidesticks or rudder pedals.
Recall the various autopilot related indications displayed on the top line of column 5 of the FMA.
With autopilot disengaged: line 1 will be blank.
Autopilot 1 engaged: AP1
Autopilot 2 engaged: AP2
Both Autopilots engaged: AP1+2
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.
Both Flight Directors OFF: the second line will be blank.
Both Flight Directors ON: 1FD2 will be displayed.
CA’s Flight Director selected OFF; FO’s is ON: -FD2 will be displayed.
FO’s Flight Director selected OFF; CA’s is ON: 1FD- will be displayed.
If FMGC 1 has failed: 2FD2 is displayed.
If FMGC 2 has failed: 1FD1 is displayed.
FMA indications when AUTOTHRUST armed:
MAN FLEX or TOGA in column 1, A/THR blue in column 5
FMA indications when 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
NOTE: Regardless of mode, thrust levers do not automatically move. The pilot must always reference the FMA for awareness of the autothrust system’s operating mode.
FMA indications when AUTOTHRUST off:
column 1 and column 5 blank
AUTOTHRUST activated by:
Disconnected by:
Activated (Armed):
- on takeoff when thrust levers placed in FLX or TOGA detent with both engines running
Disconnected (Turned Off):
- 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
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.
NOTE: The pilot can select an airspeed below VLS.
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).
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.
Explain what a momentary flashing white box indicates within an FMA column:
It indicates a new annunciation/display in the respective column.
NOTE: In addition to a white box, a triple click aural warning is provided whenever there is an automatic disengagement
of a managed Lateral or Vertical mode of the FMGS. This is referred to as a “Mode Reversion”.
