AUTO FLIGHT Flashcards
What is meant by DUAL, INDEPENDENT, and SINGLE FMGS modes?
Dual: normal
Independent: each FMGC being controlled (crosstalk fails) by its associated MCDU.
Single FMGS: using one FMGC only.
What happens if you push the V/S knob?
Immediate level-off by engaging the v/s or FPA mode with a target of zero.
What information does the yaw bar give (ground roll guidance command bar)? And when is it displayed?
Indicates the FD yaw orders, to maintain the aircraft on the RWY center line, it is displayed when on the ground below 30 ft RA, provided that a LOC signal is available.
When is the autopilot first available for use?
Airborne for at least 5sec, pass 100 ft RA.
When can both autopilots be selected at the same time?
When the localizer/glideslope or rollout or go-around mode is armed or engaged.
Why should the autopilot NOT be switched off on the FCU?
The visual and audio warnings are continuous but can be cancelled by pressing the AP DISC button on the yoke
What happens to the speed mode if FD’s & AP’s are switched OFF?
ATHR reverts to selected SPEED mode except in APPR phase.
The descent profile should lead to what IAS at 1000’ above the runway?
Vapp
What is signified by the MANAGED SPD RANGE bug in a managed descent?
Defines acceptable speed variations around the nominal descent speed target. +20 or +5 (depends on constraints) speed target.
A managed descent in a holding pattern gives what ROD?
-1000 ft/min
What does the FMA read in the vertical column if a lower attitude selected, and the ALT knob on the FCU is pulled?
Open descent
When will ALT CRZ appear on the FMA?
Level flight at the FCU selected altitude.
In a managed descent the heading knob is pulled: What happens to the constraints?
Speed and altitude constraints are disregarded, but speed limit is retained.
Climbing to FL250 (on FCU): at FL225, FCU is now set to FL220. What happens? (Similar happens in descent).
A mode reversion occurs and v/s or FPA engages on current v/s or FPA.
What does SRS stand for and what does it do?
Speed Reference System
- Controls pitch to steer the aircraft along a path in the vertical plane.
- SRS will maintain a speed target equal to V2 +10 AEO
- V2 or current speed incase of an engine failure (max V2+15)
-Pitch limit is 18 deg
-FPA protection giving min 120 fpm
SRS will engage if a V2 speed is inserted and slats are extended
What exactly is G/A TRK on the FMA?
Guides the aircraft along the current track at go-around initiation.
With the ATHR active, actual thrust will be limited to what?
Not greater than the thrust commanded by the position of the thrust lever.
What happens to ATHR if the thrust levers are moved to idle?
The ATHR disconnects but, if crew engage the ATHR again, it activates the auto thrust. Due to the lever position, IDLE thrust will be maintained. (A re-engage at idle position).
If the A/THR is switched OFF on the instinctive buttons, what happened to the thrust?
Thrust is immediately set to corresponding TLA.
In the CLB detent, with A/THR switched ON, what happens if the Thrust Levers are moved forward of the CLB detent? (TLA)
ATHR reverts from active to armed. ATHR turns to blue on the FMA and the thrust levers control thrust directly. FMA shows MAN THR in white. The thrust levers provide the flight crew with an immediate increase of thrust when both thrust levers are pushed above the CLB detent (2 ENG) or the active thrust lever above MCT (1 ENG).
At what RA is “RETARD” heard: on an autoland? And on a manual landing?
Autoland: 10 ft RA
Manual: 20 ft RA
What is the Minimum Speed Possible with ATHR on?
VLS
What is G/S Mini?
To prevent the aircraft energy from dropping below a minimum level during final approach. Maintains a G/S rather than IAS in managed mode (increase in Head Wind = increases in Vapp).
What does a temporary white box indicate on an FMA?
10 sec around each new annunciation.
- May increase to 15 sec in some mode reversion cases associated with an aural triple click.
When does “LAND” appear on the FMA?
LAND mode is engaged < 400 ft RA
How can you get out of “LAND” mode? (Bearing in mind this is a sub mode of ILS APPR mode).
- Upon engagement of the go-around mode
- If the flight crew presses the APPR p/b, when the
aircraft has been on the ground for at least 10sec
with AP off. - When both AP/FDs are disengaged
The message DECELERATE on the FMA is due to?
If the thrust is not reduced when passing the top of descent and the aircraft is above the descent profile.
The message MORE DRAG on the FMA is due to?
- Above the vertical profile and the predicated
intercept point of the vertical profile is at less than
2NM from the next ALT CSTR, or - In auto speed control and the aircraft enters a
speed brake decelerating segment.
When will “SPEED SPEED SPEED” be heard? What does it mean?
- Low energy warning, repeated every 5sec, warns
the pilot that the aircraft’s energy level is going
below a threshold under which he has to increase
thrust, in order to regain a positive flight path
angle through pitch control. - In config 2-Full
- 100’ - 2000’RA.
What triggers ALPHA FLOOR? Must the ATHR be on first?
- When the aircraft reaches a very high-angle of
attack. - The flight augmentation computer (FAC) generates
the signal to set TOGA thrust. - No
When is windshear protection available? When it is triggered and what do you see and hear?
- T/O: 3sec after lift-off til 1300’RA
- LDG: 1300’RA to 50’RA with at least config1
selected. - Predicated energy level falls below threshold.
- “WINDSHEAR” red message on both PFDs for a
minimum of 15sec, aural voice “WINDSHEAR” 3
times.
When is ALPHA FLOOR available?
From lift-off until the aircraft reaches 100’RA in
app.