Auto-Flight Flashcards
The Flight Management Guidance System has how many FMGC and MCDUs?
2 Flight Management Guidance Computers and 2 Multipurpose Control Display Units
Which two types of automatic guidance (autopilot modes) does the A320 have
Managed (FMC) and Selected (pilot controlled from the FCU)
Which 4 modes of operation can the MCDU/FMGS be in?
- Dual (do their own computations, and compare)
- Independent (after a mismatch, will have to mirror all inputs)
- Single (Only one is working, failed side pilots have to mirror all EFIS settings etc of working side pilot)
- Backup Navigation
What are the difference between amber and blue boxes on the MCDU?
Amber: Mandatory to fill
Blue: Optional
What 4 annunciator lights are there on the MCDU unit?
- FAULT (the unit has failed)
2+3. MCDU + MENU (another system wants your attention, i.e ACARS)
- FM. If you are using another system (i.e ACARS) and the FMGC wants your attention
What’s the difference between magenta and blue text in the FMA, and on the altitude readout above the altimeter tape?
Magenta = managed altitude constraint from the FMGC
Blue = Altitude selected by the pilot
What does the expedite button do
For climb: Climb at green dot speed
For descent: Descend at 340/0.8
How many IRS does the A320 have
3
What does the “IRS IN ALIGN” amber message indicate during IRS alignment
Either the aircraft moved (and it will restart automaticall), or there is a location mismatch
What will the Flight Directors do if you deselect LOC/GS during approach
Flash for 10 seconds
What will the FDs do if the LOC/GS signal is lost
Flash continuously
In Dual AP mode, which FMGC is normally active
Number 1
When will the aural/visual alerts stop by itself, if the AP was disconnected by other than the pilot
Never, unless the pilot silences it
When is the A/THR engaged during take-off/climb
When the thrust levers are moved to CLB detent
What are the three normal A/THR modes
THR, SPEED, Retard
When will the voice tell you to Retard during
1. Automatic approach
2. Manual approach
- 10’
- 20’
If you want to disengage A/THR, what does the blue circle on the engine instruments signify
It’s the Thrust lever angle, that you can align with the current engine power to avoid rapid engine increase/decrease when disconnecting A/THR
What happens if you hold the A/THR disconnect button on the thrust lever for 15 seconds or more
A/THR will be unavailable for the rest of the flight
What is Thrust Lock
Means the Thrust levers will not control the thrust (i.e after disconnecting A/THR using the pushbutton on the glareshield), until you physically start moving the thrust levers
What does an amber circle around an altitude constraint on the ND signify
You are predicted to not make the restriction
What are the descent speed margins during a managed descent
Target speed +/- 20 kts
How many feet are the bottom and top of the “glideslope” during a managed descent
500 feet
What symbol are added to FMA annunciators to show that they are in capture mode (acquire mode)
A star. I.e ALT *, LOC * etc
Which two FMAs activate on take-off
RWY (w/ loc) and SRS
What does SRS command after liftoff
V2+10 for both engines, current speed or V2 for engine out
18 degrees max pitch
How do you disengage the LAND mode during autoland
Only by using the G/A
How is Ground Speed Mini computated
Vapp + the difference between current wind and forecast wind (as entered in the mcdu)
What is the autopilot minimum engagement height after t-o
100’ ( 5 seconds)
Minimum AP disengagement on:
- cat 1 ILS
- NPA
- 160’
- MDA (automatically at MDA -50)
What is the minimum AP disengagement on a CAT II approach, if you want to land manually
80’
What is the alert height on a cat III approach, what does it mean
100’
Below this height, an AP can fail, and the landing will still be successful
