SWA B737 - Automatic Flight

Question 1

(Automatic Flight) How many Flight Control Computers (FCC’s) make up the Autoflight system?

Answer 1

2 (FCC A and FCC B)

Question 2

(Automatic Flight) What does a flashing “8” next to the Speed on the Mode Control Panel (MCP) indicate?

Answer 2

That the desired speed is greater than the overspeed limit.

Question 3

(Automatic Flight) What does a flashing “A” next to the displayed Speed on the Mode Control Panel (MCP) indicate?

Answer 3

That the desired speed is less than the minimum speed.

Question 4

(Automatic Flight) What does pressing the C/O (changeover) switch on the MCP accomplish?

Answer 4

Manually toggles the Speed Control between Indicated Airspeed and Mach.

Question 5

(Automatic Flight) When does the Indicated Airspeed in the Speed Window on the MCP automatically switch over to Mach?

Answer 5

FL 260

Question 6

(Automatic Flight) What does pressing the SPD INTV (Speed Intervention) switch on the MCP accomplish?

Answer 6

Controls the Speed while operating in VNAV.

Question 7

(Automatic Flight) What does the light on the various modes of the MCP indicate when they are illuminated?

Answer 7

That the mode can be deselected.

Question 8

(Automatic Flight) At what point of the ILS Approach does the APP light extinguish?

Answer 8

Glide Slope Intercept

Question 9

(Automatic Flight) After the APP Mode light extinguishes on the ILS approach, what are the ways to disengage APP Mode?

Answer 9

• Pushing a TO/GA switch
• Disengaging the Autopilot and turning off both FD’s
• Selecting a different frequency in one of the VHF NAV receivers

Question 10

(Automatic Flight) How do you cancel the autopilot using the control wheels?

Answer 10

Press the switch once and the Autopilot Disengage light flashes and the disengagement warning sounds, pressing it a second time silences the warning.

Question 11

(Automatic Flight) What is the primary means of determining the autopilot’s status and which autoflight modes are active?

Answer 11

The FMA (Flight Mode Annunciator) located above the attitude indicator on the PFD.

Question 12

(Automatic Flight) When the FD is on and you look at your PFD, you will notice certain values (Airspeed, Heading, Vertical Speed, etc.) in magenta, what does the magenta indicate?

Answer 12

That those values represent selections made on the MCP.

Question 13

(Automatic Flight) What do the three different columns of the FMA display?

Answer 13

• First Column - Autothrottle Modes
• Second Column - Roll Modes
• Third Column - Pitch Modes

Question 14

(Automatic Flight) What is the difference between Green and White Modes on the FMA.

Answer 14

• Green - the Engaged or Captured Mode

* White - the Armed Mode

Question 15

(Automatic Flight) What does it mean when just below the FMA you see a “FD”?

Answer 15

That the Flight Director is on and the autopilot is either OFF or engaged in CWS.

Question 16

(Automatic Flight) What does it mean if you see “CMD” on your PFD just below the FMA?

Answer 16

The autopilot is engaged.

Question 17

(Automatic Flight) When would both FCC’s be controlling (Green “MA” over both FD switches)?

Answer 17

• In the TO/GA Mode below 400 feet AGL

* When APP is engaged with LOC and GS captured

Question 18

(Automatic Flight) How is it determined which FCC (A or B) will be the master FCC controlling the Autopilot?

Answer 18

By which FD is turned on first.

Question 19

(Automatic Flight) What is the minimum altitude for autopilot engagement?

Answer 19

1000 feet AGL

Question 20

(Automatic Flight) True or False: You can use Aileron Trim with the Autopilot engaged.

Answer 20

False - Use of Aileron Trim with the Autopilot engaged is PROHIBITED at all times

Question 21

(Automatic Flight) What does the STAB OUT OF TRIM light above the Captain’s ND indicate when illuminated?

Answer 21

That the Autopilot is not trimming the stabilizer properly. (This warning function is only operational when the autopilot is engaged)

Question 22

(Automatic Flight) What does TO/GA AFDS Command when Engaged for Takeoff?

Answer 22

The AFDS Commands Pitch Attitude in the Following Order:

 • 15 Degrees Nose Up after Lift-Off until a Sufficient Climb Rate is Acquired.  Then, Pitch is Commanded to Maintain MCP Speed plus 20 kts.