Engines / Thrust Levers

Question 1

What controls the engines in all operating regimes?

Answer 1

• FADECs (Full Authority Digital Engine Controls)

Question 2

What functions does the FADEC control?

Answer 2

• Fuel metering
• Engine limits based on thrust lever angle
• Start sequencing
• Provides engine indications and thrust limit displays on the E/WD

Question 3

What redundancy does the FADEC have?

Answer 3

• Dual channel redundancy – one channel is active while the other is standby.

Question 4

What is the power source for the FADEC?

Answer 4

• The system has its own alternator making it independent of the aircraft electrical system when N2 is above10%
• If this alternator fails the FADEC automatically switches to aircraft electrical power

Question 5

When will the FADEC abort an automatic start?

Answer 5

• Hot start
• Stalled start
• No ignition

Question 6

The FADEC detects a fault during automatic start. What crew intervention is required?.

Answer 6

• There is no crew intervention necessary. The FADEC will discontinue the start, clear the engine, and attempt a restart (if warranted) automatically

Question 7

When does the FADEC command a higher engine idle speed?

Answer 7

• Bleed demands
• Approach configuration
• High engine or IDG temperatures

Question 8

How many igniters fire during a normal automatic ground start sequence?

Answer 8

• One igniter with the other serving as a backup

* The FADEC automatically alternates the igniters (A and B) at each start

Question 9

How many igniters fire on manual or in-flight starts?

Answer 9

• Two, both A and B

Question 10

When does continuous ignition automatically operate?

Answer 10

• Engine anti ice ON
• Approach idle
• Engine flameout detection
• MAX/FLEX power selected
• Failure of the EIU
• In-flight unscheduled sub idle or surge
• Master switch cycled from ON to OFF then back to ON position

Question 11

What are the 5 detent positions of the thrust levers?

Answer 11

• TOGA – Take Off/Go Around
• FLX / MCT – Flex/ Maximum Continuous Thrust
• CL – Climb
• IDLE – Idle
• MAX REV – Maximum Reverse Thrust

Question 12

On the ground, how can the A/THR be armed?

Answer 12

• By setting the thrust levers in the TOGA or FLEX gate (with a FLEX temperature inserted in the MCDU)
• At least one FD must be ON for A/THR to arm during takeoff

Question 13

What is the active range of the A/THR?

Answer 13

• Just above IDLE to the CL detent (2 engines)

* Just above IDLE to the MCT detent (1 engine)

Question 14

What is the normal operational position of the thrust levers when A/THR is active?

Answer 14

• The CL detent

Question 15

What determines the maximum thrust the A/THR system will be able to command?

Answer 15

• The thrust lever angle

Question 16

What are three ways to disconnect the A/THR?

Answer 16

• A/THR pushbutton
• Instinctive disconnect pushbuttons
• Thrust levers to IDLE

Question 17

What is the preferred method of disconnecting A/THR?

Answer 17

• Set the thrust lever angle to the existing EPR and push the instinctive disconnect pushbuttons

Question 18

How would the A/THR be disconnected for the remainder of the flight?

Answer 18

• Press and hold the instinctive disconnect pushbutton for 15 seconds. The A/THR cannot be re-engaged once this is done. ALPHA FLOOR is also lost if this is done.

Question 19

What happens to thrust and what annunciates on the FMA during ALPHA FLOOR?

Answer 19

• Thrust – TOGA

* FMA – “A.FLOOR”

Question 20

When does the aircraft leave ALPHA FLOOR and what does the FMA change to?

Answer 20

• Upon reaching a lower angle of attack. The FMA changes to “TOGA LK”

Question 21

Following ALPHA FLOOR, how would the crew return normal A/THR function?

Answer 21

• Press the instinctive disconnect pushbutton
• Return thrust levers to CL detent
• Push the A/THR pushbutton to engage A/THR

Question 22

When is ALPHA FLOOR protection active?

Answer 22

• From lift-off through 100 feet RA on approach

Question 23

When would Thrust Lock occur?

Answer 23

• Thrust levers in CL detent and A/THR pushbutton on the FCU is pushed, or
• A/THR disconnects due to a failure

Question 24

How is A/THR normally armed?

Answer 24

• By advancing the thrust levers to TOGA or FLX

Question 25

What would be the normal FMA indications during a takeoff roll using FLEX thrust on a RWY with a localizer?

Answer 25

• MAN FLX, SRS, RWY, A/THR (blue)

Question 26

What would the FMA indications be during a takeoff roll using TOGA thrust on a runway without a localizer?

Answer 26

• MAN TOGA, SRS, A/THR (blue)

Question 27

What would the FMA indications be during takeoff roll if the A/THR didn’t arm on a runway with a localizer? Should the takeoff be aborted?

Answer 27

• SRS, RWY
• Continuing the takeoff is a safe option, but the thrust levers must be moved
to the climb detent at thrust reduction altitude and the crew must manually engage A/THR.

Question 28

How should A/THR be turned off?

Answer 28

• Match the blue thrust lever angle indicators to the present thrust setting and push the instinctive disconnect pushbuttons or move THRUST LEVERS to IDLE

Question 29

What should the pilot do to get out of TOGA LOCK?

Answer 29

• Push the instinctive disconnect pushbuttons and move the THRUST LEVERS to the CL detent

Question 30

What should the pilot do to get out of THRUST LOCK?

Answer 30

• Match the thrust lever angle with ENG output

Question 31

What is the A/THR active zone for two-engine operations?

Answer 31

• From slightly above IDLE to CL

Question 32

What is the A/THR active zone for single-engine operations?

Answer 32

• From slightly above IDLE to MCT

Question 33

What controls the engine LP fuel valves?

Answer 33

• Engine MASTER switch

* ENGINE FIRE pushbutton

Question 34

What does a FAULT light on the ENG panel indicate?

Answer 34

• Automatic start abort

* Switch disagreement between HP valve and its commanded position

Question 35

What is the rated thrust of each engine?

Answer 35

• A319 – V2524-A5 = 23,500 lbs
• A320 – V2527-A5 = 27,000 lbs
• A321 – V2533-A5 = 32,500 lbs