Auto Flight Flashcards
What are the main components of the FMGS?
2 FMGCS
2 MCDUS
1 FCU (2 independent channels)
2 FACS
What are the functions of the FMGCS?
Flight guidance
Flight management
What are the 3 modes of the FMGC operation?
Independent
Single (ND displays SELECT OFFSIDE RNG/MODE)
Dual
What are the 2 modes of flight guidance?
Managed and selected
What is the managed mode of flight guidance used for?
Long term lateral, vertical and speed profiles as determined by the FMGS
What is the selected mode of flight guidance used for?
Temporary lateral, vertical and speed commands as selected with the FCU
Does selected or managed guidance have priority?
Selected
How do you determine the validity of the navigation database?
Aircraft status page on the MCDU
What input does each FMGC use for position determination?
a mix of IRS/GPS position
How does the autopilot selection influence master FMGS logic?
if 1 AP is engaged, the respective FMGS is master
If both APs are engaged, FMGS 1 is the master
If an amber SELECT OFFSIDE RNG/MODE message is displayed on the ND what action should the crew take?
An FMGS has failed and both NDs must be set to same mode and range
Can both APs be engaged during any phase of flight?
No, just during an ILS approach
What is the difference between the large and small fonts in the MCDU?
Large- Pilot entries and modifiable data
Small- Default non-modifiable data
Where do you enter the ZFW?
INIT B (not accessible after engine start)
What do amber box prompts on the MCDU indicate?
An entry is mandatory
What occurs when managed NAV mode is engaged and the aircraft flies into a flight plan discontinuity?
NAV will be lost and the HDG/TRK mode will engage
What is the function of the FCU?
Permits short term interface between the pilot and FMGS
Allows temporary modification of any flight parameter (HDG, SPD, ALT, V/S)
Used to select operational modes of the autopilots, FDs and A/THR system
What do dashes in the FCU display windows along with the adjacent white dot indicate?
Managed guidance is in use
How is selected guidance engaged?
Pull the appropriate selector knob
How do you confirm all AP, FD and A/THR inputs?
Read the FMA
Will the FCU altitude window ever display dashes?
No. Pilot selected altitude will always be displayed
What does each column mean on the PFD?
A/THR | VERTICAL | LATERAL | APPROACH CAPABILITY, DH/MDA | AP, FD, A/THR STATUS
How is the crew made aware of mode changes on the FMA?
White box is temporarily displayed around the new indication
How are armed modes displayed on the FMA?
Blue- Armed
Magenta- Armed because of a constraint
Green- Engaged
When is the sidestick position indication icon (White cross) displayed?
First engine is started
Disappears at liftoff
What would the large red arrows indicate?
Pitch attitude of more than 30 degrees
What is the meaning of USE MANUAL PITCH TRIM?
Direct Law
What is the meaning of MAN PITCH TRIM ONLY?
Mechanical Backup
What are the pitch and roll angle limits indicated by the green = signs?
Pitch: +30 degrees up/ -15 degrees down
Roll: +/- 67 degrees
How can you determine you are in ALTERNATE LAW?
Amber X’s replace the green = at the pitch and bank limits
Only VLS and VSW are displayed on the airspeed scale
When would the slideslip index change from yellow to blue?
Engine fire/failure during takeoff/go around. (Blue is now BETA TARGET)
What does yellow speed trend line on the airspeed scale indicate?
Speed the aircraft will reach in 10 seconds if acceleration/deceleration remains the same
What is the difference between the magenta and blue airspeed targets?
Magenta- Managed speed
Blue- Selected speed
What does Vmax represent and how is it displayed?
Lowest of Vmo/Mmo, Vle, or Vfe
Bottom of a red and black strip along the airspeed scale
What is Vls?
Represents the lowest selectable speed providing an appropriate margin to stall speed
Corresponds to 1.13 VS during takeoff
Corresponds to 1.23 VS after retraction of 1 step of flaps
Corresponds to 1.28 VS in clean config
Above 20,000ft, Vls is corrected for Mach effect to maintain a buffet margin of 0.2g
In approach mode it is equivalent to Vref
Increases with speed brake extension
What is green dot speed?
Engine out operating speed in clean config
Appears when the aircraft is in the clean config
Corresponds to best lift/drag ratio
What is ground speed mini?
Based on a calculated groundspeed at the runway
Protects against actual groundspeed dropping below this calculated groundspeed
What does it mean when you see magenta target airspeed triangle above the VAPP on approach?
Ground speed mini increased speed due to a higher headwind component at your present location than what was calculated at the runway
Is ground speed mini protection available in selected speed?
No
What are 3 ways to disconnect the A/THR?
Disconnect buttons
Thrust levers to idle
A/THR PB
How do you disconnect the A/THR for the remainder of the flight?
Press and hold the instinctive disconnect pushbuttons for 15 seconds
What would you lose if you held down the instinctive disconnect pushbuttons for more than 15 seconds?
Alpha Floor protection
What happens to thrust and what annunciates on the FMA when you reach Alpha Floor?
Thrust- TOGA
FMA- A.FLOOR
What occurs during alpha floor protection after speed increases above Vls?
FMA Changes to TOGA LK
How do you regain normal A/THR when in TOGA LK?
- Move thrust levers to TOGA
- Press the Instinctive Disconnect button
- Return Thrust levers to CL detent
- Push the A/THR PB to engage A/THR
When is Alpha Floor Protection active?
Lift off - 100ft RA on approach
When would thrust lock occur?
Thrust levers in the CL detent and A/THR on the FCU is pushed OR A/THR disconnects due to a failure
