PA-LOD (Autoflight/Navigation) Flashcards
FMA Color coding: Green White Amber (3) Red
• Green — Active mode
• White — Armed mode
• Amber
o Selected but invalid modes.
o Items in the systems status malfunction window.
o Autothrottle disconnection (i.e., AT)
• Red — Autopilot disconnection (i.e., AP)
Understand the prefix and suffix symbology of vertical modes.
• Vertical mode starts with “V”
• Vertical mode ends in “CAP”
• Vertical mode contains “ALT”
- ALT ends in “V”
- ALT ends in “S”• Starts with “V” - Signifies a vertical navigation (VNAV) mode
- Except VS, which would be VVS
• Ends in “CAP” - Signifies an altitude capture mode.
• Contains “ALT” - Signifies altitude hold (regardless of where ALT appears)
- ALT ends in “V” - Preprogrammed FMS altitude constraint
(only occurs when VNAV engaged)
- ALT ends in “S” - Signifies altitude preselect (FCP window)
If VNAV captures an FPTA that is different than the FCP selected altitude, _____ displays on the FMA.
Otherwise, if VNAV captures the FCP-selected altitude, _____ will display on the FMA.
VALTV
VALTS
Position “A” (above the path) – The crew wants to intercept the path. The FLC pushbutton is pushed and FLC appears in the vertical window of the FMA. Upon reaching the path, will the aircraft intercept the path? If not, at what altitude will the aircraft level?
The aircraft will not intercept the path and will level at 8000 ft.
• Because FLC appears in the FMA, it indicates that VNAV is not active. Therefore, the aircraft will not capture the path or any flight plan target altitudes (FPTAs).
Position “A” (above the path) – The crew wants to intercept the path. The FLC pushbutton is pushed and VFLC appears in the vertical window of the FMA. Upon reaching the path, will the aircraft intercept the path? If not, at what altitude will the aircraft level?
Yes, the aircraft will capture the path as it descends through the path.
• VPATH will appear in the vertical window of the FMA as the path is captured. All FPTAs (down to and including 8000 ft in this example) will be honored as well.
Position “B” (on the path with VPATH in the vertical window of the FMA) – ATC issues a clearance to expedite the descent to 8000 ft. The FLC pushbutton is pushed and VFLC appears in the vertical window of the FMA. Will VFLC remain the active vertical mode or will the path be recaptured with VPATH becoming the active vertical mode?
It depends … if on the path (VPATH) and another vertical mode is selected (VFLC, VVS, VFPA), VNAV logic ignores the path for 20 seconds and …
• If the aircraft remains substantially away from the path (approximately 1 dot on the CDI) after 20 seconds of the selection of FLC, the aircraft will descend with VFLC as the active vertical mode and will not recapture the path. The aircraft will level at the FPTA of 9000 ft until crossing CATTT (remember that the clearance was to expedite to 8000 ft).
• If, however, upon the selecting FLC, the aircraft does not move substantially away from the path after 20 seconds, the path may recapture. VFLC will become VPATH again in the vertical window of the FMA and a descent will continue on path to the bottom altitude of 8000 ft. (Again, the clearance was to expedite. Remaining on path (VPATH) will not expedite the descent.)
• A good choice for the flight crew in this case would be to deselect VNAV and then select FLC (spoilers as desired). With VNAV deselected, FLC will be the active vertical mode and the FMS path and/or FPTAs would be disregarded. The aircraft will level at the FCP altitude of 8000 ft.
Position “B” (on the path with VPATH in the vertical window of the FMA) – ATC issues a clearance to expedite to 8000 ft. The VS pushbutton is pushed and a vertical speed is set using the thumbwheel. VVS appears in the vertical window of the FMA. Will the descent continue with VVS as the active vertical mode? At what altitude will the aircraft level?
Similar answer to question 3. In this case, VVS instead of VFLC is the active mode but all else remains the same.
• The prefix “V” preceding a vertical mode signifies that VNAV is active. As in question 3, the aircraft would need to move substantially away from the path in order to remain in VVS mode. In VVS mode, the aircraft would level at 9000 ft until crossing CATTT. If the aircraft remains near or crosses the path, VPATH will again become the active vertical mode and the descent to 8000 ft will continue on the path. In either case, the ATC clearance would not be complied with.
• If the flight crew wanted to comply with the ‘expedite’ clearance using vertical speed, a good choice would be to again deselect VNAV and then use VS to expedite. VS would be the active vertical mode and the aircraft would level at the FCP altitude of 8000 ft.
Position “B” (on the path with VPATH in the vertical window of the FMA) – At an altitude of 12000 ft, ATC issues a clearance amending the altitude to 10000 ft (was 8000 ft). 10000 is set in FCP altitude window. At what altitude will the aircraft level?
10,000 ft
• The aircraft will honor the 10000 ft FCP altitude regardless of VNAV engagement.
• The altitude set in the FCP altitude window will only be ignored when on approach and VGP or GS is the active vertical mode. In all other cases, the aircraft will level at the altitude value set in the FCP window.
Position “C” (below the path) – The crew would like to re-intercept the VPATH. The ALT pushbutton is pushed and VALT CAP appears in the vertical window of the FMA. Will the aircraft re-intercept the path?
Yes, the aircraft will capture the path.
• The “V” in VALT CAP signifies that VNAV is engaged. When the path is intercepted, VALT will become VPATH and the aircraft will continue on the path until reaching 8000 ft.
Can LOC3 be tuned by the crew?
No.
LOC3 is required for autoland redundancy and cannot be directly tuned by the flight crew.
An amber NAV indication on the right side of the PFD indicates?
off-side navigation source
Vertical Speed Digital Readout
Current Vertical Speed
FMS Vertical Speed Bug
Manual Vertical Speed Bug
REF (Landing Reference Speed) (VREF) displays after FMS activation and remains until the aircraft has landed.
REF is removed when the GA mode is active.
What is this?
When is it displayed?
V Approach Climb
VAC is the target climb speed during a go-around with one engine inoperative.
Displays when FMS speed is active and GA mode is active.
It is removed when another mode is activated.
What is the top arrow pointing to?
Bottom arrow?
What do flap speeds indicate?
Flap 4 VFE
Flap 5 Extension Speed
Image above is an aircraft with a current flap setting of Flap 4.
They indicate the recommended speed for flap retraction or extension. Only one flap speed displays at a time.
• The maximum speed with current flap extension is the lower limit of the overspeed marker.
What is this?
When is it displayed?
Beta Index - provides guidance for roll input and yaw compensation during singleengine operation.
- After an engine failure on takeoff or during a go-around, the beta index displays as a green-filled trapezoid under the FPV. - When the slats/flaps are fully retracted, the beta index becomes a green trapezoid outline.
Flight Path Acceleration Cue - indicates the acceleration or deceleration of the aircraft as follows:
o When the aircraft is accelerating, the cue is above the FPV wing.
o When the aircraft is decelerating, the cue is below the FPV wing.
o When the aircraft speed is constant, the acceleration cue points at the FPV wing.
Flight Path Vector
Speed Error Tape - displays as a green scale that extends above or below the left FPV wing.
- Shows the difference between the actual indicated airspeed and selected airspeed. - Each tick mark represents a 5-knot difference, up to a maximum of 15 kts (three tick marks).
What is displayed on this PFD?
VOR approach without GPS VOR Approach (APPR FPA Mode)
Because we are using the FMS course for reference only, raw data VOR information must be displayed (see NOI approach guide for further information).
