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 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.
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.
Explain the function of the VNAV Switch on the MCP.
Push –
- VNAV switch light illuminates.
- pitch mode annunciates VNAV SPD, VNAV PTH.
- A/T mode annunciates FMC SPD, N1, RETARD, or ARM (white).
- IAS/MACH display blanks and airspeed cursors positioned to FMC commanded airspeed.
Explain the function of the Level Change (LVL CHG) Switch on the MCP.
Push –
-LVL CHG switch light illuminates.
-pitch mode annunciates MCP SPD for climb or descent.
-autothrottle mode annunciates N1 for climb or RETARD followed by
ARM (white) for descent.
-IAS/MACH display and airspeed cursors display target speed.
Explain the function of the Altitude Hold (ALT HLD) Switch on the MCP.
Push –
- engages ALT HOLD command mode.
- commands pitch to hold uncorrected barometric altitude at which switch was pressed.
- annunciates ALT HOLD pitch mode and illuminates ALT HLD switch light.
Explain the function of the Vertical Speed (V/S) Switch on the MCP.
Push –
- arms or engages V/S command mode.
- commands pitch to hold vertical speed.
- engages A/T in speed mode to hold selected airspeed.
- annunciates V/S pitch mode and illuminates V/S switch light.
Explain the function of the Altitude Intervention (ALT INTV) Switch on the MCP.
Allows manual deletion of next FMC altitude constraint via altitude SEL and ALT INTV switch.
Push – (during VNAV climb)
- lowest FMC altitude constraint below selected MCP altitude is deleted.
- if airplane is currently at an FMC altitude constraint, deletion allows airplane to resume climb. MCP altitude must be set above current altitude.
- for each press of switch, one deletion occurs.
- if MCP altitude is set above current FMC altitude, FMC cruise altitude resets to MCP altitude. FMC cruise altitude cannot be decreased using ALT INTV switch.
Push – (during VNAV cruise)
- if MCP altitude is set above current FMC cruise altitude, FMC resets cruise altitude to MCP altitude and initiates a cruise climb.
- if MCP altitude is set below current FMC cruise altitude, an early descent is initiated. Lower FMC cruise altitude cannot be entered using ALT INTV switch.
Push – (during VNAV descent)
- the highest FMC altitude constraint above MCP altitude is deleted.
- if airplane is currently at an FMC altitude constraint, deletion allows airplane to continue descent. MCP altitude must be set below current altitude.
- if all FMC altitude constraints are deleted during VNAV path descent, an automatic transition to a VNAV speed descent is made.
Explain the function of the LNAV Switch on the MCP.
Push –
- commands AFDS roll to intercept and track the active FMC route.
- annunciates LNAV as roll mode and illuminates LNAV switch light.
Explain the function of the VOR Localizer (LOC) Switch on the MCP.
Push –
- commands AFDS roll to capture and track selected VOR or LOC course.
- annunciates VOR/LOC armed or engaged as roll mode.
- illuminates VOR LOC switch light.
Explain the function of the Heading Select (HDG SEL) Switch on the MCP.
Push –
- engages HDG SEL command mode.
- commands roll to follow selected heading.
- annunciates HDG SEL as FMA roll mode.
- illuminates HDG SEL switch light.
Explain the function of the Command Engage (CMD ENGAGE) Switch (A or B) on the MCP.
Push –
- engages A/P.
- enables all command modes.
- displays CMD in A/P status display.
- pushing an engage switch for second A/P, while not in approach mode, engages selected A/P and disengages first A/P.
Explain the function of the Control Wheel Steering Engage (CWS ENGAGE) Switch (A or B) on the MCP.
Push –
- engages A/P.
- engages pitch and roll modes in CWS. Other pitch and roll modes not enabled.
- displays CWS P and CWS R in A/P status display.
- A/P pitch and roll controlled by pilot with control wheel pressure.
Explain the function of the Altitude Selector (SEL) on the MCP.
Rotate –
- sets altitude in ALTITUDE display in 100 foot increments.
- arms V/S (white) mode if rotated while in ALT HOLD.
Explain the function of the Changeover (C/O) Switch on the MCP.
Push –
- changes IAS/MACH display between IAS and MACH.
- automatic changeover occurs at approximately FL260.
Explain the function of the N1 Switch on the MCP.
Push – (light not illuminated)
- engages A/T in N1 mode if compatible with AFDS modes already engaged.
- illuminates N1 switch light.
Push – (light illuminated)
- deselects N1 mode and extinguishes switch light.
- engages autothrottles in ARM mode.
Note: Normally N1 mode is automatically engaged with the selection of compatible pitch modes without making a separate selection with this switch. However, it is possible to use this switch to deselect the N1 mode while the light is illuminated to temporarily put the A/T system in ARM.
