Chapter 4: Automatic Flight Flashcards
Explain the meaning of a green light illuminated in any MCP Mode Selector Switch.
The switch illuminates to indicate mode selection and that the mode can be deselected by pushing the switch again.
Explain the meaning of a Master (MA) F/D indicator light.
The master FCC is indicated by illumination of the respective master (MA) F/D indicator light. The master FCC is determined as follows:
- with neither A/P engaged in CMD, the FCC for the first F/D turned on is the master
- with one or both A/Ps engaged in CMD, the FCC for the first A/P in CMD is the master FCC, regardless of which F/D is turned on first.
Note: Independent F/D operation is indicated by illumination of both MA lights.
Explain which roll modes are affected by the bank angle selector.
- HDG SEL
- VOR
Describe the manual methods for Autothrottle engagement and disengagement.
Autothrottle Engagement:
Moving the magnetically held A/T ARM switch to ARM, arms the A/T for engagement while in the following pitch modes:
-LVL CHG
-ALT ACQ
-V/S
-VNAV
-ALT HLD
-G/S capture
-TO/GA
Autothrottle Disengagement:
Any of the following actions will manually disengage the A/T:
-Moving the A/T Arm switch to OFF.
-Pushing either A/T Disengage switch.
Note: A/T disengagement is followed by A/T Arm switch releasing to OFF and flashing red A/T Disengage lights on the forward panel. The A/T Disengage lights do not illuminate when the A/T automatically disengages after landing touchdown.
Note: A/T may automatically disengage when:
- two seconds have elapsed since landing touchdown.
- Thrust levers become separated more than 10 degrees, except during takeoff.
- Significant thrust difference along with control wheel roll input of 10 degrees or more throughout the entire flight envelope.
Explain what the color green represents in the FMA.
Engaged or Captured mode.
Explain what a green box represents in the FMA.
A mode change highlight symbol (rectangle) is drawn around each pitch, roll, CWS, A/P status, and thrust engaged annunciation for a period of 10 seconds after each engagement.
Explain what the color white represents in the FMA.
Armed modes are shown in smaller white letters at the bottom of the flight mode annunciation boxes.
Explain the different meanings of the AFDS Autopilot Status Annunciations: CMD, FD, CWS P, CWS R, SINGLE CH, SINGLE CH and AUTOPILOT.
The following AFDS status annunciations are displayed in the A/P status display located above the attitude indicator:
- CMD – one or both autopilots are engaged.
- FD – the flight director is ON and the autopilot is either OFF or engaged in CWS.
- CWS P – pitch mode engaged in CWS.
- CWS R – roll mode engaged in CWS.
- SINGLE CH (Amber) – For single A/P ILS approach, annunciates after localizer capture and remains on for entire approach. For dual A/P ILS approach, annunciates after localizer capture and extinguishes after pitch monitor confidence test is successfully completed. (Then goes to CMD)
- SINGLE CH (Green) – For an IAN approach, annunciates after FAC capture and remains on until AP disengaged or 100 feet RA.
- AUTOPILOT (Flashing Amber) – Autopilot remains engaged below 100 feet RA for an IAN approach).
Explain what conditions must be met before a second autopilot can be engaged.
- Both VHF NAV receivers tuned to the ILS frequency.
- Approach Mode (APP) selected.
- Second A/P engaged in CMD prior to 800 feet RA.
Explain the function of the A/P DISENGAGE bar.
Pull down:
- Exposes yellow background.
- Disengages both A/Ps.
- Prevents A/P engagement.
Lift up:
- Conceals yellow background.
- Enables A/P engagement.
Explain the meaning of an illuminated Amber A/P Autopilot Disengage light on the forward panel.
A/P Illuminated (amber) and flashing:
Autopilot reverted to CWS pitch or roll while in CMD.
Reset by P/RST (push to reset) either light or selecting another mode.
Explain the meaning of an illuminated Red A/P Autopilot Disengage light on the forward panel.
A/P Illuminated (red) and flashing
- flashes and tone sounds when autopilot has disengaged.
A/P Illuminated (red) and steady
- stabilizer out of trim below 800 feet RA on dual channel approach or,
- ALT ACQ mode inhibited during A/P go–around if stabilizer not
trimmed for single A/P operation or,
- automatic ground system tests fail.
-Reset by pushing P/RST (push to reset) either light or either A/P disengage switch
Explain the indications of a disengaged Autothrottle.
- flashing red A/T P/RST light on the Forward Panel.
Explain the meaning of the amber STAB OUT OF TRIM light on the left forward panel.
-Autopilot not trimming stabilizer properly.
Note: Operates only with A/P engaged.
Explain what will happen on approach when TO/GA is selected below 2000 feet RA.
- No A/P or single A/P engaged: Disconnects autopilot (if engaged) and requires manual F/D go around.
- Both A/Ps engaged (with FLARE armed on the FMA): A/P go-around mode is activated. A/Ps remain engaged.
Know the difference in commanded thrust when selecting TO/GA once versus twice during a go-around.
- First push: A/T provides reduced go-around N1 to produce 1000 to 2000 fpm rate of climb.
- Second push: A/T advances to the full go around N1 limit.
Specify the AFDS Flight Mode Annunciations and their location.
The flight mode annunciations are displayed just above the attitude indicator on the PFD. The mode annunciations, from left to right, are:
- autothrottle,
- roll,
- pitch.
Explain the meaning of the AFDS FMA Autothrottle Modes.
N1 – the autothrottle maintains thrust at the selected N1 limit displayed on the thrust mode display, including full go-around N1 limit.
GA – the autothrottle maintains thrust at reduced go–around setting.
RETARD – displayed while autothrottle moves thrust levers to the aft
stop.
FMC SPD – the autothrottle maintains speed commanded by the FMC.
MCP SPD – the autothrottle maintains speed set in the MCP IAS/MACH display.
THR HLD – the thrust lever autothrottle servos are inhibited; the pilot can set the thrust levers manually.
ARM (white)– no autothrottle mode engaged. The thrust lever autothrottle servos are inhibited; the pilot can set thrust levers manually. Minimum speed protection is provided.
Explain the meaning of the AFDS FMA Pitch Modes.
TO/GA – (Takeoff) Engaged for takeoff by turning both F/D switches ON and pushing either TO/GA switch.
TO/GA – (Go–around) Engaged for go–around by pushing the TO/GA switch under the following conditions:
- in flight below 2000 feet radio altitude, or
- in flight above 2000 feet radio altitude with flaps not up or G/S captured
- not in takeoff mode
- either F/D ON or OFF.
VNAV SPD – the AFDS maintains the FMC speed displayed on the airspeed indicator and/or the CDU CLIMB or DESCENT pages.
VNAV PTH – the AFDS maintains FMC altitude or descent path with pitch commands.
V/S (engaged) – commands pitch to hold selected vertical speed.
V/S (armed) white – V/S mode can be engaged by moving Vertical Speed Thumbwheel.
ALT ACQ – transition maneuver entered automatically from a V/S, LVL CHG, or VNAV climb or descent to selected MCP altitude. Engages but does not annunciate during VNAV transition.
ALT HOLD – commands pitch to hold MCP selected altitude or uncorrected barometric altitude at which ALT HOLD switch was pushed.
MCP SPD – pitch commands maintain IAS/MACH window airspeed or Mach.
G/S (armed) white – the AFDS is armed for G/S capture.
G/S (engaged) – the AFDS follows the ILS glideslope.
FLARE (armed) white – during a dual A/P ILS approach, FLARE is displayed after LOC and G/S capture and below 1500 feet RA. The second A/P couples with the flight controls and A/P go–around mode arms.
FLARE (engaged) – during a dual A/P ILS approach, flare engages at 50feet radio altitude. FLARE accomplishes the autoland flare maneuver.
G/P (armed) white– the AFDS is armed for G/P capture.
G/P (engaged) – the AFDS follows the IAN glide path.
Explain the meaning of the AFDS FMA Roll Modes.
LNAV (engaged) – the AFDS intercepts and tracks the active FMC route.
LNAV (armed) white– the AFDS is armed (prior to takeoff) to engage LNAV at 50 feet RA.
LNAV (armed) white – in the approach phase and a missed approach exists in the flight plan.
HDG SEL – the airplane is turning to, or is on the heading selected in the MCP Heading Display.
VOR/LOC (armed) white– AFDS is armed to capture selected VOR or LOC COURSE.
VOR/LOC (engaged) – AFDS tracks selected VOR course or tracks selected localizer course along the inbound front course bearing.
FAC (armed) white – the AFDS is armed to capture the IAN final approach course.
FAC (engaged) – the AFDS tracks the IAN final approach course along the inbound course bearing.
B/CRS (armed) white – the AFDS is armed to capture the localizer final approach back course.
B/CRS (engaged) – the AFDS tracks the localizer final approach course along the inbound back course bearing.
Note- Delta does not use Back Course approaches on 737
Explain how to arm/engage the Integrated Approach Navigation (IAN) modes and their meaning.
The Integrated Approach Navigation (IAN) modes are armed/engaged by selecting the APP button on the AFDS Mode Control Panel (MCP). Once armed, the autopilot/flight director will capture and track the localizer/final approach course and glide/slope or glide path.
The following roll and pitch mode control annunciations of the FMA will be displayed for each type of approach:
- ILS approach – VOR/LOC and G/S will be the displayed roll and pitch modes.
- FMC IAN approach – FAC and G/P will be the displayed roll and pitch modes.
- ILS approach with G/S selected off or a localizer only approach
- VOR/LOC and G/P will be the displayed roll and pitch modes.
Describe the Go-Around Roll Mode – LNAV in Lieu of Track hold.
- When a missed approach exists in the flight plan and the FCCs are capable of entering go-around, LNAV arm will be annunciated on the FMA. Track hold will automatically transition to LNAV during a missed approach.
- During autoland operations with FLARE arm or FLARE engage displayed, if TO/GA is pressed, LNAV will engage when the airplane is above 400 feet. Below that altitude the roll mode will be track hold.
- During an approach without FLARE arm or FLARE engage displayed, if TO/GA is pressed, LNAV will engage when the airplane is above 50 feet. Below that altitude the roll mode will be track hold.
Explain the function of the SPEED Switch on the MCP.
Push – (light not illuminated)
- engages A/T in SPEED mode if compatible with engaged AFDS modes.
- illuminates SPEED switch light.
- maintains speed in MCP IAS/MACH display.
Push – (light illuminated)
- deselects speed mode and extinguishes switch light.
- engages A/T in ARM mode.
Note: Normally Autothrottle SPEED modes are automatically engaged with the selection of compatible pitch modes without making a separate selection with this switch. It is also possible to use this switch to deselect the SPEED mode while the light is illuminated to temporarily put the A/T system in ARM.
Explain the function of the Speed Intervention (SPD INTV) Switch on the MCP.
Push (only when VNAV engaged)
-IAS/MACH display alternately shows selected IAS/Mach and blanks.
- when IAS/MACH display is unblanked, FMC speed intervention is active, FMC target speed is displayed, and IAS/MACH Selector may be used to set desired speed.
- when IAS/MACH display is blank, FMC computed target speed is active and displayed on the airspeed indicator.
