Primary Flight Display (PFD) Flashcards
What does each column mean on the PFD?
- A/THR
- VERTICAL
- LATERAL
- APPCH CAPABILITY, DH/MDA
- AP, FD, A/THR ENGAGEMENT STATUS
How is the crew made aware of mode changes on the FMA?
A white box is temporarily displayed around the new indication.
How are armed modes displayed on the FMA?
- Blue – armed
- Magenta – armed because of a constraint
- Green – engaged
When going around in the A320 NEO, if the FMA displays an amber message reading, “FOR GA: SET TOGA”, what action should the pilot take?
- The Pilot should move the thrust levers into the TOGA detent.
- When AP/FD is in approach vertical mode and aircraft is below 1000 ft RA,
this message is displayed if all thrust levers are moved to or above the MCT detent, but below the TOGA detent.
When is the side stick position indication icon (white cross) displayed?
- Displayed when the first engine is started
- Disappears at liftoff
What would the large red arrowheads indicate?
Pitch attitude of +30°
After loading an ILS approach into the MCDU and selecting the (I)LS pushbutton, what indications on should be present on the PFD?
- ILS frequency and course
- ILS identifier (once in range and identified)
- LOC and GS scales
When would the sideslip index change from yellow to blue?
In case of an engine failure during takeoff/go-around, it becomes a blue beta target.
What does the yellow speed trend line on the airspeed display indicate?
The speed the aircraft will reach in 10 seconds if acceleration/deceleration remains constant.
What is the difference between the magenta and blue target airspeeds?
- Magenta – Managed speed computed by the FMGC
- Blue – Selected speed on the FCU
What is VLS and how is it displayed?
- Represents lowest selectable speed providing an appropriate margin to the stall speed
- Defined by the top of the amber strip along the airspeed scale
- In approach mode, it is equivalent to VREF
What speed does VMAX represent and how is it displayed?
- It is the lowest of VMO/VMMO, VLE or VFE
- Defined by the bottom of a red and black strip along the speed scale
What is Green Dot speed?
- Engine out operating speed in clean configuration
- Appears when the aircraft is in the clean configuration
- Corresponds to the best lift-to-drag ratio
What is Ground Speed Mini (GSMINI)?
- Based on a calculated groundspeed at the runway
- Protects against actual groundspeed dropping below this calculated
groundspeed
What does it mean if the magenta target airspeed triangle is above VAPP on the approach?
GSMINI has increased speed due to a higher headwind component at the present location.
What are the 3 key factors in the GSMINI Calculations?
- TWR wind = the MAG WIND entered in the PERF approach page (no gusts)
- TWR headwind component = the component of the MAG WIND projected
on the runway axis (landing runway entered in the flight plan).
- Current Headwind Component = the actual wind measured by ADIRS is
projected on the aircraft axis to define the current headwind component. The current headwind component is used to compute the variable speed target during final (IAS target).
What is the significance of the altitude window changing from yellow to amber?
The aircraft has deviated from the FCU selected altitude or flight level.
When is altitude alerting automatically inhibited in flight?
- When slats are extended with the landing gear down
- On approach after glide slope capture
What does it mean when the altitude digits change from green to amber?
The aircraft has descended below the MDA/DH entered into the FMGC.
When is radio height displayed on the PFD?
Below 2,500 feet
Information from ILS receiver 1 is displayed where?
- Captain’s PFD
- First Officer’s ND
What would a flashing amber ILS indicate on the bottom of the PFD?
Flashes amber when APPR mode is armed and the ILS PUSHBUTTON is not selected.
Is a visual warning provided to the pilot if the aircraft is stalling?
- Non NEO Aircraft = No visual indication
- NEO Aircraft = STALL warning indication on PFD
