Review Questions - Automatic Flight Flashcards
What is the function of the Flight Control Unit?
a. Permits short term interface between the pilot and FMGS
b. Allows temporary modification of any flight parameter (HDG, SPD, ALT, V/S)
c. Used to select operational modes of the autopilots, flight directors, and A/THR system
What do dashes in the FCU display windows along with the adjacent white dot indicate?
FMGS Managed Guidance is in use
How is Selected Guidance engaged?
Pull the appropriate selector knob
Does Selected or Managed Guidance have priority?
Selected always has priority over managed guidance
Will the FCU Altitude window ever display dashes?
No. Pilot selected altitude will always be displayed
What are the main components of the FMGS?
a. 2 FMGCs
b. 2 MCDUs
c. 1 FCU (two independent channels)
d. 2 FACs
What are the functions of the Flight Management Guidance Computers?
a. Flight Guidance
b. Flight Management
What are the 4 modes of FMGS operation?
a. Dual (the normal mode)
b. Independent mode, each FMGC being controlled by its associated MCDU
c. Single (using one FMGC only)
d. Back-up navigation mode
How does autopilot selection influence master FMGS logic?
a. If one autopilot is engaged, the respective FMGC is master
b. If both autopilots are engaged, FMGC 1 is master
c. If no AP is engaged and FD1 pb is on, FMGC1 will be master. If FD1 pb is off and FD2 pb is on, FMGC2 will be master
d. If no AP/FD is engaged, A/THR is controlled by FMGC1
If an amber SELECT OFFSIDE RNG/MODE message is displayed on the ND, what action should the crew take?
An FMGS has failed and both NDs must be set to the same mode and range (single mode)
What is the difference between the large and small fonts utilized in the MCDU?
Large – Pilot entries and modifiable data
Small – Default/computed non-modifiable data
What do amber box prompts on the MCDU indicate?
An entry is mandatory
What is VLS?
a. Represents lowest selectable speed providing an appropriate margin to the stall speed
b. Corresponds to 1.13 VS during takeoff
c. Corresponds to 1.23 VS after retraction of one step of flaps
d. Corresponds to 1.28 VS in clean configuration
e. Above 20,000ft, VLS is corrected for Mach effect to maintain a buffet margin of 0.2g
f. In approach mode is equivalent to Vref
g. Increases with speedbrake extension
What are the 2 modes of flight guidance?
Managed and Selected
What is the Managed mode of flight guidance used for?
Used for commanding long-term lateral, vertical, and speed profiles via the MCDU
What is the Selected mode of flight guidance used for?
Used for commanding short-term lateral, vertical, and speed profiles via the FCU
Can both autopilots be engaged during any phase of flight?
No, only when the localizer/glide-slope, roll out or go-around mode is armed or engaged.
What is Ground Speed Mini?
Based on a calculated groundspeed at the runway
Protects against actual groundspeed dropping below this calculated groundspeed
What does it mean when you see the magenta target airspeed triangle above VAPP on approach?
Ground Speed Mini has increased speed due to a higher headwind component at your present location than what was calculated at the runway
Is the Ground Speed Mini function available in selected speed?
No – Managed speed only
What are 3 ways to disconnect the A/THR?
a. Instinctive Disconnect buttons
b. Thrust Levers to IDLE
c. A/THR push button
How do you disconnect the A/THR for the remainder of the flight?
Press and hold the Instinctive Disconnect Pushbutton for 15 seconds
What would you lose if you held down the Instinctive Disconnect Pushbutton for more than 15 seconds?
Alpha Floor Protection
What happens to thrust and what annunciates on the FMA when you reach Alpha Floor?
a. Thrust – TOGA
b. FMA – A.FLOOR
What occurs during Alpha Floor protection after speed increases above VLS?
FMA changes to TOGA LK
How do you regain normal A/THR when in TOGA LK?
The flight crew must disconnect the autothrust. The Flight Crew can then re-engage the A/THR with the A/THR pb
When is Alpha Floor Protection active?
From lift-off through 100 feet RA on approach
When would Thrust Lock occur?
a. Thrust levers in CL detent and A/THR pushbutton on the FCU is pushed, or
b. A/THR disconnects due to a failure
How do you confirm all autopilot, FD, and A/THR inputs?
Confirm all mode inputs by reference to the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA)
What does each column mean on the FMA portion of the PFD?
A/THR | VERTICAL | LATERAL | APPR 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 (10-15 seconds)
How are armed/engaged modes displayed on the FMA?
Blue - armed
Magenta - armed because of a constraint
Green - engaged
Under Normal Law, what do the FACs provide?
YAWL
Y - Yaw Control – Damping and turn coordination, rudder limiter, rudder trim)
A - Airspeed Protection Computation (Alpha Prot, high / low limits, maneuvering speed, PFD speed scale)
W - Windshear protection (Reactive and not Predictive)
L - Low Energy Warning Protection (“SPEED, SPEED, SPEED”)
How do you determine the validity of the navigation database?
On the Aircraft Status page via the MCDU
What input does each FMGC use for position determination?
A hybrid (‘mix”) IRS/GPS position
When would a Takeoff Shift be entered on the PERF TO page?
When takeoff begins at a runway intersection and GPS is not primary
Where do you enter the Zero Fuel Weight?
INIT B page
(not accessible after engine start)
What occurs when managed NAV mode is engaged and the aircraft overflies a flight plan discontinuity?
NAV mode will be lost and the HDG/TRK mode engages
