Autoflight Flashcards
PFCs?
Primary Flight Control computers
On e LOC and G/S have been captured, can only be disengaged by:
Disconnecting the A/P and turning both FDS off
Engaging G/A
If above 1,500 RA, by reselecting APP (roll and pitch will revert to default modes)
If both FDs off, and A/P is selected, the autopilot engages in:
HDG HOLD or TRK HOLD as the roll mode or if the bank angle is > 5 degrees, ATT HOLD, HDG HOLD or TRK HOLD as the roll mode and V/S or FPA as the pitch mode
How can the autopilot be disengaged?
By selecting autopilot disengage switch on control yoke
MCP A/P DISENGAGE bar
Overriding autopilot with the control column, the control wheel or rudder pedals (pedals will only disengage the autopilots with LAND 2 or LAND 3 annunciated)
What are the indications the autopilot is operating in a degraded mode?
By a line drawn through the affected FMA on both PFD and HUD
Respective FD bar is removed from PFD and the flight guidance cue is removed from the HUD display
If AFDS detects the ILS signal is interfered with by service vehicle or other aircraft, describe AFDS actions?
The autopilot disregards the ILS signal. The autopilot will remain engaged in an attitude stabilizing mode based on inertial data.
There will be no annunciation. If the erroneous signal persists, the AFDS enters degraded mode
In flight, with A/P disengaged and both FDs off, the first FD switch to ON engages the flight director in:
HDG HOLD or TRK HOLD
or, if bank angle >5 degrees, ATT HOLD
and
V/S or FPA as pitch mode
In flight with the A/P on and the FDs off, the first FD switch engages in what?
Engages the FD in the currently selected autopilot mode(s).
Pulling down on A/P DISENGAGE bar:
Disengages all autopilots
Displays AUTOPILOT DISC EICAS
Sounds aural warning
Illuminates the master WARNING lights
If A/P DISENGAGE bar pulled down in manual flight:
Prevents autopilot engagement
Generates NO AUTOLAND EICAS
Disables bank angle protection
Exposes black and amber stripes
What does the upper line of the IAS/MACH window display?
What does the lower line display?
The upper line displays the speed selected by the IAS/MACH selector
The lower line displays the up linked
ATC speed clearance
When changing from TO/GA to
V/S, what does the IAS/MACH window display?
Flap placard speed minus 5 kts
250 kts (flaps up)
The speed value entered in the window before TO/GA was pushed
What is the minimum Mach number that can be entered in the IAS/MACH window?
The maximum?
.40 MACH
.95 MACH
What is the VSD?
Vertical Situation Display
What is the green dot on the VSD?
Range to target speed
Aircraft will reach selected speed at that point
At what points does the IAS/MACH display switch between IAS and MACH?
During a climb at .84 MACH
During descent at 310 KIAS
What does pushing the speed selector knob accomplish?
Alternately opens or closes the IAS/MACH window. (Equivalent to Speed Intervene)
What does pressing the XFR button accomplish?
If upper line is blank?
Lower line after pressed?
Transfers the IAS or MACH value from the lower line to the upper line
If upper line was blank it will open to up linked value
After transfer, lower line will be blank
What does the datalink ACPT switch accomplish?
Immediate clearance
Displays the clearance IAS or MACH value in the lower line of the IAS/MACH window
What does “UL” in the IAS/MACH window indicate?
Up Linked
What does the datalink ACPT accomplish?
Conditional clearance
It will automatically display the clearance IAS or MACH number in the lower line, but only after the condition contained in the clearance is met
What does FAIL OPERATIONAL mean?
It means that a single fault cannot prevent the autopilot system from making an automatic landing
What does LAND 3 indicate?
The AFDS is currently fail operational
What does FAIL PASSIVE mean?
A single fault cannot cause a significant deviation from the flight path
What does LAND 2 signify?
AFDS is fail passive: a single fault cannot cause a significant deviation from the flight path
NO LAND 3 will be displayed on the EICAS
What does NO AUTOLAND signify?
AFDS is unable to make an automatic landing
Down to single channel status during an Autoland
OR
LAND 3 or LAND 2 has not been annunciated by 300 feet AGL
When are changes to autoland status inhibited?
Below 200 feet.
If LAND 3 or LAND 2 change to NO AUTOLAND, autopilot will disconnect, no change to FMAs
From left to right, the FMAs display:
Auto throttle
Roll
Pitch
THR in autothrottle FMA?
Autothrottle is applying thrust to maintain the vertical speed required by the pitch mode
THR REF in the autothrottle FMA?
Thrust is set to the selected thrust limit displayed on the EICAS
IDLE in autothrottle FMA?
Autothrottle moving the thrust levers to idle
Followed by HOLD mode
HOLD mode on autothrottle FMA?
Thrust lever autothrottle servers are inhibited.
Pilot is able to set the thrust manually
SPD FMA?
Autothrottle is maintaining the speed annunciated on the PFD and HUD.
Speed can be selected by the MCP IAS/MACH control or by the FMC CLB CRUZ OR DESC pages
L SPD?
If only one thrust lever is engaged, L or R will be displayed in front of SPD for the engaged thrust lever
When will LNAV engage?
When the aircraft is above 50 feet RA and within 2.5 nm of course, or greater than 2.5 nm when the aircraft is on an intercept heading
FMC INTERCEPT HDG EICAS message?
LNAV is armed, but the aircraft is not on a heading that will intercept the active leg
When does LNAV engage during a Go Around?
How is LNAV disengaged?
LNAV engages at 50 feet RA with FD only
OR
LNAV engages at 200 feet RA with the autopilot engaged
LNAV is disengaged by engaging any other roll mode or by disengaging the autopilot and turning both FDs off
Pressing the CLB/CONT switch?
When is it operative?
Two engine vs. one engine?
The switch is inoperative on the ground and below 400 ft during takeoff
With two engines operating, changes the thrust limit to FMC selected climb thrust
With one engine operating, changes thrust limit to maximum continuous thrust
What does the upper line of the HDG/TRK window display?
The lower line?
When power first applied to the aircraft?
Displays the heading or track selected by the HDG/TRK selector.
The lower line displays up linked ATC heading or track
When power first applied, the window will display 360 on the upper line and the lower line will be blank
When is the heading/track ATC uplink function enabled?
When the upper window and the up linked clearances are both heading values or both track values
What does the XFR switch do on the HDG/TRK panel?
Transfers the value from the lower line (uplinked value) to the upper line. Clearance is removed from the lower line by pushing the CANC switch on the datalink panel
What does UL R 250 on the HDG/TRK lower window signify?
Uplinked clearance is turn right to heading/track of 250.
HOLD switch on HDG/TRK panel?
Selects HDG HOLD or TRK HOLD as the roll mode
Displays HDG HOLD or TRK HOLD on the PFD and HUD FMAs
Commands wings level and holds the heading or track established when the wings are level
If FD or AP is turned on and no roll mode has been selected:
If bank angle < 5 degrees, the AFDS will return to wings level and the FMAs will display HDG HOLD or TRK HOLD
If bank angle > 5 degrees, the FMAs will display ATT and the AFDS will hold a bank angle between 5 and 30 degrees
If the bank angle was > 30 degrees, the AFDS will return the aircraft to 30 degrees of bank
When will the AFDS capture the LOC?
When the LOC is within range and within 120 degrees of the LOC track
How to arm the FAC?
Will be armed when the LOC/FAC switch has been pressed
The AFDS will capture the IAN (Integrated Approach Navigation) final approach course
How do you disarm the LOC/FAC mode after capture?
Select a roll mode other than LNAV
Push TO/GA
PUSH APP switch
Disengage the autopilot and turn both FDs off
If only on FD, engage an autopilot
What is the LOC/FAC angle limit for intercept?
What is the GS/GP angle limit?
Intercept angle must be within 120 degrees of localizer course
Intercept track angle must be within 80 degrees of localizer course
On ground, there are two methods of displaying TO/GA mode….
Selecting the FD switches ON
If airspeed is greater than 80 knots, pressing a TO/GA switch will display FD bars
When does TO/GA mode arm in flight?
When flaps are moved out of UP position
OR
When G/S is captured on approach
TO/GA ARMED will not be displayed in either of these scenarios
What is the AFDS pitch logic on takeoff?
AFDS commands a pitch attitude to maintain:
Target airspeed of V2+15 or the airspeed at rotation (pitch at 2 degrees) + 15 knots, whichever is greater.
If current airspeed remains above target speed for 5 sec, target airspeed is reset to the lesser of current airspeed or V2+25
If the airspeed in the IAS/MACH window is preselected before takeoff to a speed greater than target speed?
The AFDS uses the speed set in the IAS/MACH window for V2
What is the commanded speed on a go around?
Commanded speed will be the higher of the speed in the MCP IAS/MACH window or the current airspeed (to a maximum of window speed +25 kts.
When will VNAV engage after takeoff?
400 feet
PERF/VNAV NOT AVAILABLE in the CDU help window?
VNAV is selected and the FMC has insufficient guidance, e.g. no gross weight or no end of descent point
VNAV SPD?
AFDS commands pitch to hold the target airspeed
Autothrottle will be in THR REF, THR, IDLE or HOKD as required by phase of flight
VNAV PTH?
AFDS is maintaining FMC altitude or descent path with pitch commands
In climb or cruise, autothrottle operates in SPD. For descent, autothrottle operates in IDLE, HOLD or SPD
If VNAV is selected for a descent but the window displays an altitude above the current altitude?
Or Skelettes for a climb but the altitude in the window is below?
The autopilot will maintain the altitude at which VNAV was selected
VNAV ALT?
There is a difference between the VNAV profile and the MCP selected altitude
If within 50 miles of the TOD an early descent may be made by:
Set a lower altitude and push the altitude selector. The aircraft will enter VNAV SPD and the thrust changed to THR. When the aircraft intercepts the path, VNAV SPD changes to VNAV PTH and the thrust mode changes to IDLE
To disengage VNAV:
Engage TO/GA, FLCH SPD, V/S, FPA, ALT or G/S
If a dual FMC failure (VNAV functionality is still available)
If all 3 FMCS fail
FLCH SPD mode….
The AFDS will attempt to reach the MCP selected altitude within…
2 minutes if able
If not, A/T used IDLE or CLB thrust to reach the MCP altitude
When FLCH SPD is selected, what target climb / descent rate does the AFDS use?
The A/T advances or retards the thrust levers to provide 500fpm for each 1000 feet of altitude change
When is the ALT FMA displayed?
If the MCP altitude HOLD button is pushed
OR
Altitude has been captured from V/S, FPA or FLCH
G/P FMA?
Displayed when the AFDS is following the FMC glide path
FLARE armed FMA?
Displayed during autoland when the aircraft is descending through 1,500 feet RA
FLARE is engaged when?
Between 60 and 40 feet RA
Can the autothrottles be used for a manual landing?
Yes, and the autothrottle a rescue to idle at 25 feet RA
With the A/T armed, the autothrottle will automatically activate if:
No autopilot or FD is active
An autopilot of FD is in VNAV SPD, VNAV PTH, VNAV ALT, FPA, ALT, V/S, G/S or G/P
Speed is less than FMC calculated value for 1 second
Thrust below reference thrust
Aircraft is above 100 ft RA on an approach, or barometric altitude is 400 feet above airport on takeoff
How does the autothrottle support stall protection if it’s disconnected but armed?
As the speed decreases to near stick shaker, the autothrottle connects in SPD mode and advances the thrust to maintain the minimum maneuvering speed (top of amber band) or the speed in the IAS window, whichever is greater
AIRSPEED LOW EICAS will be displayed
What does AUTOTHROTTLE L indicate?
The right autothrottle servo has failed. In this case, the autothrottle FMA would read L SPD, indicating only the left autothrottle is active in speed mode
When does autothrottle disconnect on landing?
If the pilot overrides the autothrottle after the throttles begin to retard.
When either reverse levers raised to reverse idle upon landing.
In both cases, the EICAS and aural alert are inhibited
By what speed must a TO/GA switch be pressed on takeoff?
If it is not pressed by then?
By 50 knots
Otherwise, the autothrottles will not be available until 400 feet
What happens if either To/GA switch is pressed above 80 knots?
LNAV and VNAV are disarmed
What happens at 100 knots on takeoff roll?
How is this used?
Snapshot of the barometric altitude is taken.
To engage VNAV at 400 feet
Enable autothrottle activation at 400 feet
Acceleration height for engine out flap retraction
Acceleration for normal flap retraction
Set climb thrust
Is LNAV engagement based on barometric altitude?
No. It is based on RA after liftoff
How do you remove the engine derates after takeoff?
Pushing TO/GA switch will remove the takeoff derates.
The autothrottle will activate in THR REF mode
The AFDS modes will be disarmed
Between 50 and 400 feet the TO/GA roll mode will be selected
Above 400 feet, TO/GA roll and pitch modes will be selected
If press TO/GA on approach with flaps not UP or with G/S captured?
Activates autothrottle in THR mode with GA thrust limit
Disarms the AFDS modes
Selects TO/GA roll and pitch modes
Arms or activates LNAV if available
If no FD or AP, activates A/T in THR REF
What does second press of TO/GA switch do if flaps out of UP and LNAV is armed?
If flaps not up and LNAV armed, second push will activate the autothrottles in THR REF using GA reference thrust
What does second press of TO/GA do if flaps out of UP with LNAV active?
Activates the autothrottles in THR REF using GA reference thrust. Roll will remain in LNAV.
What will a second press of TO/GA do with flaps out of UP and HDG SEL or HDG HOLD active?
TO/GA pitch mode will remain active, the autothrottles will drive to THR REF using GA reference thrust, and TO/GA roll and pitch modes will be selected
When does LNAV engage on takeoff?
50 feet RA
If VNAV is armed for takeoff, when does it engage?
At 400 feet, and commands current airspeed
When do autothrottles command THR REF after takeoff?
At 400 feet
When acceleration height is reached, pitch commands what?
5 knots below the takeoff flap placard speed.
As flap retraction continues, acceleration is further commanded to 5 knots below commanded flap position placard speed
When flaps up, what is the commanded speed in VNAV?
VNAV climb speed:
Vref + 80 knots
OR
Published airport transition speed
For low visibility takeoff, how do you set up for HUD TO/GA mode?
Select HUD TAKEOFF departure in the FMC and turn on either FD. HUD TO/GA will engage as FMA roll mode
When does HUD guidance become active on a HUD TO/GA low vis takeoff?
As the aircraft approaches the centerline and the aircraft is within 45 degrees of runway heading
The reference cue appears and the localizer deviation pointer will appear
Once the aircraft is lined up on the centerline, the guidance cue will center on the ground reference cue
What altitude will appear in the ALTITUDE window when power is first applied to the aircraft?
10000 feet
Altitude selector in AUTO?
Altitude selector changes in 100 foot increments
Displays each BARO minimum as the selector passes through that altitude (if minimum is not a 10 foot increment, the next highest will be displayed)
When rotated rapidly, moves at two to four times the rate
Pushing the altitude selector during climb or descent?
Deletes the next waypoint altitude crossing constraint between aircraft altitude and the altitude window value
(acts as altitude intervene)
If pushed during climb and the altitude selected is above FMC altitude, the cruise altitude is changed to the altitude window value
What is GBAS?
Ground Based Augmentation System
At what point does IAN FAC end?
It is provided through the missed approach point on the final approach course, so guidance to the runway is only provided if the MAP is located on the runway approach end
The IAN G/P is constructed on an angle that passes through the ______ ________ at the ______, and is the steeper of either:
Altitude constraint, MAP
Steeper of either the published angle
OR
The angle that clears the altitude constraint at the waypoint prior to the MAP
When more than 10 degrees of crab angle is needed, runway alignment occurs at ______?
500 feet AGL
The crab angle is reduced by establishing a ______ sideslip.
5 degree
When 5 to 10 degrees of crab angle is required, an initial alignment occurs at _____.
The initial alignment initiates a sideslip to reduce the crab angle to ______.
500 feet
5 degrees
When 5 to 10 degrees of crab angle was initially required, and a first alignment was conducted at 500 feet, a second alignment is conducted at ________, where a second alignment increases the _________ to further reduce the _______ _________
200 feet
sideslip
crab angle
If less than 5 degrees crab angle was required runway alignment will occur at _________
200 feet AGL
In case of engine failure prior to approach, a sideslip is I traduced at _________ to establish wings level.
500 feet
If engine failure DURING approach, wings level configuration is established ___________.
when the engine failure is detected
What is inboard spoiler bias?
During autoland approach, the inboard spoilers are biased upward at 350 ft RA, causing the nose to pitch up slightly
When does ROLLOUT mode activate?
It activates with the weight on wheels switch
When does FLARE arm?
When LAND 2 or LAND 3 annunciated (1500 feet.)
When does ROLLOUT arm?
When LAND 2 or LAND 3 annunciated (at 1500 feet.)
Rollout guidance continues until __________
the autopilots are disengaged
When is TO/GA armed?
Flaps are out of UP
G/S is captured
When does thrust limit change to GA?
Flaps are out of UP
Flaps are extended to the landing position
OR
Glideslope/Glidepath is captured
During a go around, the first push of either TO/GA switch causes:
FMAs change to:
THR TO/GA TO/GA
Thrust is increased to provide for a 2,000 ft/min climb
If LNAV path is available for go around, when does the LNAV automatically arm and engage?
Above 50 feet RA if autopilot not engaged
Above 200 feet when autopilot is engaged
A second push of a TO/GA switch in go around causes:
the autothrottle to engage in the THR REF mode to provide full go around thrust
What speed will the AFDS command after go around when arriving at selected altitude, or when V/S or FPA is engaged?
MCP speed is automatically set to:
Flap placard speed minus 5 knots
250 knots if flaps up
Speed value in MCP window if set after TO/GA was pushed
Wind shear recovery guidance by AFDS?
Provided by means of the normal go-around pitch and roll modes. Initiated by pressing TO/GA
Pitch up of 15 degrees will be commanded
Autopilot and autothrottle systems prevent stall and over speed in which modes?
Overspeed protection available:
With flaps up for all modes except G/S
With flaps extended in FLCH and TO/GA
AUTOPILOT EICAS?
Autopilot has begun flight envelope protection
If an amber line displays through the active roll or pitch FMA
