Auto Flight

Question 1

❇️FMGC 1 generates commands for:

Answer 1

▪ Autopilot 1.
▪ Captain’s Flight Director.
▪ Autothrust

Question 2

❇️FMGC2 generates commands for:

Answer 2

▪ Autopilot 2.
▪ First Officer’s Flight Director.
▪ Autothrust

Question 3

❇️With autopilots off which FMGC is the master and which one is the backup?

Answer 3

FMGC 1 is the master and FMGC 2 the backup

Question 4

With autopilot 1 engaged which FMGC is the master and which one is the backup?

Answer 4

FMGC 1 is the master and FMGC 2 is the backup

Question 5

With autopilot 2 engaged, which FMGC is the master and which one is the backup?

Answer 5

FMGC 2 is the master and FMGC 1 is the backup.

Question 6

Recall the function of the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA).

Answer 6

Recall the function of the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA).

Question 7

Recall the organization of the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA)

Answer 7

▪ Column 1: autothrust system 
▪ Column 2: autoflight vertical mode 
▪ Column 3: autoflight lateral mode 
▪ Column 4: approach capabilities and minimums 
▪ Column 5: autoflight status

Question 8

Explain the color convention of FMA annunciations.

Answer 8

▪ 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.

Question 9

Recall how to engage the autopilot.

Answer 9

▪ To engage – select either the AP1 or AP2 pbs on the Flight Control Unit (FCU).

Question 10

Recall how to disengage the autopilot.

Answer 10

▪ 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.

Question 11

Recall the various autopilot related indications displayed on the top line of column 5 of the FMA.

Answer 11

▪ With autopilot disengaged - line 1 will be blank.
▪ Autopilot 1 engaged: AP1
▪ Autopilot 2 engaged: AP2
▪ Both Autopilots engaged: AP1+2

Question 12

Recall how to engage and disengage the flight directors.

Answer 12

▪ 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.

Question 13

Recall the various Flight Director related indications on the second line of column 5 of the FMA.

Answer 13

▪ 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.

Question 14

Explain how the Autothrust System is engaged?

Answer 14

▪ Engaged:
❇️The system is normally engaged at takeoff, when the thrust levers are placed in either the FLX or TOGA positions.
❇️By selecting the A/THR pb located on the FCU.

Question 15

Explain how the Autothrust System disengaged?

Answer 15

▪ Disengaged:
❇️The system is normally disengaged by bringing the thrust levers to the idle stop at touch down.
❇️Pressing the Instinctive Disconnect pb on either thrust lever.
❇️Pressing the illuminated A/THR pb on the FCU panel.

Question 16

Explain the two operating modes of the autothrust system.

Thrust Mode:

Answer 16

▪ A specific thrust level is maintained, and the target airspeed is achieved through pitch changes.
▪ Used most often during climbs and descents when no specific rate is required.

Question 17

Explain the two operating modes of the autothrust system.

Speed/Mach Mode:

Answer 17

▪ Thrust output varies to maintain the target airspeed or mach.
▪ Used most often during level flight, or during climbs/descents when a specific rate must be maintain

Question 18

Recall the FMA column 1 indications when in Thrust mode and when in Speed/Mach mode.

Answer 18

Thrust Mode:

▪ MAN TOGA, MAN FLX, MCT, THR CLB, THR IDLE

Question 19

Recall the FMA column 1 indications when in Speed/Mach mode?

Answer 19

Speed/Mach Mode:

▪ SPEED or MACH

Question 20

Recall the Autothrust System’s default operating mode with Autopilots and Flight Directors off.

Answer 20

Defaults to Speed/Mach Mode.

Question 21

Explain the Autothrust System’s Alpha Floor feature.

Answer 21

Automatically commands TOGA thrust when a predetermined angle of attack has been exceeded.
❇️Is available from lift-off down to 100ft RA.
❇️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

Question 22

Explain VLS?

Answer 22

▪ 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.

Question 23

Describe where VLS is displayed.

Answer 23

▪ 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).

Question 24

Explain the relationship between VLS and the Autothrust System.

Answer 24

▪ 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.

Question 25

Explain what a momentary flashing white box indicates within an FMA column.

Answer 25

It indicates a new annunciation/display in that particular 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”.

Question 26

Recall when SRS becomes active.

Answer 26

▪ At takeoff when thrust levers are placed in FLX or TOGA.

▪ During a go-around when the thrust levers are placed in TOGA and Flaps 1 or greater has been selected.