Autoflight Flashcards
Explain the system configuration of Flight Management Guidance Computers (FMGCs) 1 and 2
FMGC 1 generates commands for
-Autopilot 1
-Captains Flight Director
-Autothrust
FMGC 2 generates commands for
-Autopilot 2
-First Officers flight director
-Autothrust
With autopilots off, FMGC 1 is the master and FMGC 2 is backup
With autopilot 1 engaged, FMGC1 is the master and FMGC 2 is the backup
With autopilot 2 engaged FMGC 2 is the mater and FMGC 1 is the backup
Function of the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA)
The FMA is the Primary tool used to monitor the status and performance of the auto flight system
The organization of the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA)
-Column 1; Autothrust
-Column 2; Autoflight vertical mode
-Column 3; Autoflight lateral mode
Column 4; approach capabilities and mins
-Column 5; autoflight status
Explain the color convention of FMA annunciations
Green-engaged mode
Blue-Armed
Magenta- altitude constraints (if vertical path includes a level segment)
White- Approach capabilities, certain auto thrust modes, and auto flight system status
Amber- thrust and/or flight control system caution messages
Red- significant flight control system degradation
How to engage and disengage the autopilot
Engage by; selecting either AP1 or AP2 pb on the Flight Control Unit
Disengage by;
-Pressing the autopilot disconnect pd on either side stick
-selecting the illuminated AP1 or AP2 on the FCU
-Displacing either sidestick or rudder pedals
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
What are 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
-CAs flight director selected OFF, FO is ON; FD2 will be displayed
-FOs flight director selected OFF, CAs is ON; 1FD-will be displayed
-if FMGC 1 has failed; 2FD2 will be displayed
-If FMGC 2 has failed; 1FD1 will be displayed
Describe the FMA and FCU indications of each auto thrust system configuration
(OFF, ARMED, ACTIVE)
OFF
-FMA column 1 and the bottom of column 5 are blank
-A/TH pb on the FCU is extinguished
-Engine thrust is controlled by manually positioning the thrust levers
ARMED
-MAN FLX or MAN TOGA appears in column 1 and A/TH in blue in column 5 of the FMA
-Engine thrust corresponds to the thrust lever position on FLX or TOGA
NOTE in flight, when thrust levers are places in the TOGA position, TOGA thrust is provided and, if in the CONF 1 or greater, the FMSs go-around phase activated. MAN TOGA appears in the column 1 and A/TH in blue in column 5 of the FMA
ACTIVE
-FMA column 1 displays the current mode, and the bottom row of column 5 displayed A/TH (white)
–the active range for two engine operation is any position between CLB detent and just above idle stop.
–during single engine operation, the active range increases to include the MCT detent position.
-When active, auto thrust can automatically change from one mode to another to meet vertical path requirements.
NOTE regardless of mode, thrust levers DO NOT automatically move. The pilot must always reference the FMA for awareness of the auto thrust systems operating mode
Explain how the auto thrust system is normally activated (armed) and disconnected
Activated (armed)
-the system is normally armed at takeoff when the thrust levers are place in either TOGA or FLX position when both engines are running
Disconnected
-the system is normally disconnected 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/TH pb on the FCU
Explain the difference between the thrust mode and speed/mach mode
Thrust Mode (speed on elevator -ERJ term)
-a specific thrust is maintained, and the target airspeed is achieved through pitch changes
-Used during climbs and descents when no specific rate is required
Speed/Mach mode (speed on thrust)
-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
Thrust Mode
-MAN TOGA, MAN FLX, MCT, THR CLB, AND THR IDLE anything MAN or THR (max continuous thrust)
Speed/Mach mode
-SPEED or MACH
What’s the autothrust systems default operating mode with autopilots and flight directors off
Defaults to Speed/Mach mode
Explain the Autothrusts Alpha Floor feature
-Commands TOGA thrust when the aircraft reaches a very high angle of attack
-Is available in normal law from lift-off down to 100 ft RA
-Functions regardless of the thrust lever position or auto thrust status
–if off, autothrust will self activate
–Aircraft must be in normal law with a functioning auto thrust system.
Once the condition causing the alpha floor is resolved, thrust remains at TOGA (TOGA LK) until pilot intervention
Recall the indications associated with alpha floor
-A.FLOOR (green) surrounded by an amber box in column 1 of the FMA
-A.FLOOR (amber) above the N1 displays on the E/WD
-Engine thrust automatically accelerates to TOGA
Once the condition that caused the alpha floor no longer exists
-TOGA lock engages
TOGA LK (green replaces the A.FLOOR indications on the FMA
Explain VLS
-VLS is defined as the “lowest selectable speed”. It is an airspeed calculated by the FACs based on the aircrafts 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
