Autoflight

Question 1

What is the minimum height for autopilot on takeoff?

Answer 1

100ft AGL and at least 5s after liftoff

Question 2

What is the minimum height for autopilot when using final app, VS or FPA?

Answer 2

250ft AGL

Question 3

What is the minimum height for autopilot for circling approach?

Answer 3

500ft AGL

Question 4

What is the minimum height for autopilot on a cat 1 ILS approach?

Answer 4

160ft AGL

Question 5

In the FMGC, what is meant by recommended max?

Answer 5

Max altitude displayed in the progress page.

Lowest of the max alt that the A/C:
- Can reach with 0.3G buffet margin
- Fly in level flight at Max CRZ rating
- Maintain a V/S of 300ft/min and Max CLB thrust
- Fly a speed above Green Dot and below VMO/MMI
- Is certified at

Anti-ice is not taken into account for this computation

Question 6

What is a good gross error check when calculating green dot?

Answer 6

Double the gross weight and add 85 (below FL200)

Question 7

On some types there maybe a discrepancy between vapp on the PFD and vapp on the FMGC. Why is this?

Answer 7

I think because Vapp in the FMGC is based on the gross weight when the approach phase is activated, along with the wind in the PERF page whereas the Vapp on the PFD is calculated by the FAC

Question 8

When is the the Auto Land light armed?

Answer 8

200ff AGL

Question 9

Can you briefly explain the function of ground speed Mini?

Answer 9

Provides a constant ground speed in gusty and thermal conditions to maintain A/C energy on approach.

Vapp = VLS + 1/3 wind or VLS + 5 (whichever is higher)

GS mini baseline = Vapp - wind component

V target = baseline + ADIRS wind

Question 10

If you lose 1 FMGC, what annunciation would you expect to see on the pfd 5th column and how might this affect an ND?

Answer 10

Loss of AP on the side of the FMGC fail, but AP on the other side will work. ND has to be set at the same range as ND on work FMGC side

Question 11

What methods does the aircraft have to calculate its position?

Answer 11

MIX IRS position
Computed radio position
GPS Position

Question 12

What is the aircraft’s FM position comprised of?

Answer 12

Mix of IRS/GPS position. Flight crew can also update the FM position manually

Question 13

What is EPE?

Answer 13

Estimated Position Error

Question 14

What is meant by GPS primary?

Answer 14

1. The accuracy is High (EPU is lower than required on PROG Page)
2. Capability to detect a failure and provide appropriate warning of it.

Question 15

With a lose of both flight management computers? How do you recover radio navigation?

Answer 15

Flick the cover and press Nav button

Question 16

Prior to entering the hold, what will happen when you press the immediate exit push button?

Answer 16

It won’t enter the hold and will resume its applicable manage speed of the current flight phase

Question 17

Once you are in the hold, what will happen when you press the immediate exit push button?

Answer 17

It will fly to the fix and exit the hold, unless already heading inbound, it won’t finish the holding pattern.

Question 18

For alternate planning, what assumptions are made to the flight level and speed by the FMGC in terms of fuel burn for the alternate?

Answer 18

FL100 is less than 100nm
FL200 between 100 - 200nm or else at FL310
CI0
Constant wind
Constant felt ISA

Question 19

Explain the differences between the top of descent profile and geometric descent

Answer 19

Top of descent profile flies a managed speed

Geometric Descent flies a specific angle

Question 20

Explain SRS, what is its functions?

Answer 20

Speed Reference System
Vertical mode that provides vertical guidance up to acceleration altitude.
As long as slats are extended and V2 is available to the FMS, SRS engages automatically when power is applied for takeoff. It commands V2 + 10 during normal ops.

If an engine fails, V2 is commanded

Maintains a minimum rate of climb without regard to speed control to provide windshear protecrion.

At thrust reduction, SRS is automatically replaced by CLB mode

Question 21

Are there any protections with SRS?

Answer 21

Flight path protection that ensures VS of 120ft/min during takeoff
18 - 22 degrees pitch attitude in case of windshear (A319/20) 15 - 22 A321)

Question 22

What would happen when selecting a revised altitude when the aircraft is in ALT*

Answer 22

Reverts to V/S / FPA when changed by more than 250ft

Question 23

What is the 2 engine operating range of the A/THR and what is the single engine operating range?

Answer 23

AEI: Idle - CLB detent.
OEI: Idle - MCT

Question 24

With A/THR failure, what FMA would you expect to see?

Answer 24

Thrust lock

Question 25

If you took off in Flex, how do you achieve MCT in an engine failure on takeoff?

Answer 25

Back to the climb detent, then the MCT detent

Question 26

What is the guidance for selecting reverse thrust with 1 thrust reverser inoperative?

Answer 26

In an RTO, use them as normal. On landing, use Reverse idle on both. If both are inoperative you would use idle reverse on a RTO or on landing. You only don’t use them if fuel leak.

Question 27

You have both thrust levers working and in the climb detent. You move the thrust levers below the climb detent, what FMAs would you expect to see?

Answer 27

AUTO FLT A/THR LIMITED repeated every 5s

Question 28

What is the maximum speed that you can set on the FCU?

Answer 28

399 kts

Question 29

What is the minimum speed you can set on the FCU?

Answer 29

100 kts

Question 30

What is the backup speed scale and when may you need to use it. Where is its data derived?

Answer 30

Enables you to fly A/C when airspeed indications are unreliable.

Speed is based on AOA
Altitude is based on GPS

Question 31

Explain the bird and where it gets it’s data from

Answer 31

Indicates track and flight path angle in relation to the ground

Question 32

What is meant by the phrase data lock?

Answer 32

700RA with APPR mode (LOC and G/S armed or engaged), the ILS freq and course are frozen in the receiver.

If speed is managed, it doesn’t accept any modification in the PERF page

Question 33

What is land mode?

Answer 33

Comes in 400RA on an auto land, Land Mode tracks the LOC and G/S beams until approx 40RA when Flare mode engages

Question 34

What failures would illuminate the auto land light?

Answer 34

B - Both
A - APs
L - Loss of LOC > 15’
D - Deviation from LOC/GS
G - GS Loss > 100’
R - RAD
A - ALT Discrepancy > 15ft
F - FMGS defects long flare

Question 35

What is the approach ban?

Answer 35

Height at which an approach can’t be continued past without the required visibility minima. 1000ft RA usually

Question 36

Would a failure of a single engine illuminate the auto land light?

Answer 36

No

Question 37

What is the definition of fail operational and fail passive?

Answer 37

Fail Operational: in the event of a failure below alert height, the approach, flare and landing, can be completed automatically

Fail Passive: in the event of a failure, there is no significant out-of-trim condition or deviation of the flight path or attitude but the landing is not completed automatically

Question 38

For runway lighting you see alternating amber and red lights on the centre line, how much runway is remaining?

Answer 38

900m I think but I think it’s red and white alternating

Question 39

If you were to see all reds, how much runway would be remaining?

Answer 39

300m

Question 40

What is the difference between disconnecting the A/THR via the FCU and disconnecting it via the instinctive disconnects in the thrust levers?

Answer 40

Main difference is THR Lock with Non-standard disconnection

Question 41

FCU Failure Key Points

Answer 41

CAT 1
No AP
No FD
No ATHR
No TERR
No ex radar (ignore if displayed)
No FCU selections
ND stuck at 80nm
PFDs stuck on STD - use ISIS for baro and do not put MDA (MDH) into PERF page
PM to do standard call-outs (hundred above, minimums etc)

If you are in land mode when it fails, on ATHR is lost