Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the A320's Auto flight system?
What is the primary function of the A320's Auto flight system?
Which components contribute to the position data inputs of the FMGS?
Which components contribute to the position data inputs of the FMGS?
When are inputs made to a MCDU in the context of the FMGS?
When are inputs made to a MCDU in the context of the FMGS?
What characterizes 'selected' guidance in the FMGS?
What characterizes 'selected' guidance in the FMGS?
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Which part of the FMGS handles flight guidance?
Which part of the FMGS handles flight guidance?
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What does the FMGS automatically tune for enhanced navigation?
What does the FMGS automatically tune for enhanced navigation?
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How are the two FMGCs within the FMGS typically operated?
How are the two FMGCs within the FMGS typically operated?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the functions of the FMGS?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the functions of the FMGS?
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What mode is engaged when the SPD/MACH selector knob is pulled out during Auto flight?
What mode is engaged when the SPD/MACH selector knob is pulled out during Auto flight?
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Which statement is true regarding the managed mode of FMGS operation?
Which statement is true regarding the managed mode of FMGS operation?
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How does the Altitude selector knob modify the altitude settings?
How does the Altitude selector knob modify the altitude settings?
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What occurs when the Altitude selector knob is pushed?
What occurs when the Altitude selector knob is pushed?
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During which situation would the METRIC ALT pushbutton be useful?
During which situation would the METRIC ALT pushbutton be useful?
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What does pressing the HDG-V/S/TRK-FPA pushbutton change?
What does pressing the HDG-V/S/TRK-FPA pushbutton change?
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What visual indicators are displayed when the HDG/TRK knob is engaged in managed mode?
What visual indicators are displayed when the HDG/TRK knob is engaged in managed mode?
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Which description accurately represents the function of the SPD/MACH selector knob?
Which description accurately represents the function of the SPD/MACH selector knob?
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What is the primary use of the EXPED pushbutton?
What is the primary use of the EXPED pushbutton?
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What does pulling the V/S - FPA selector knob engage?
What does pulling the V/S - FPA selector knob engage?
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Which mode is indicated when the HDG/TRK knob is pulled?
Which mode is indicated when the HDG/TRK knob is pulled?
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In what context does a solid white dot appear in the display?
In what context does a solid white dot appear in the display?
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What happens during the automatic changeover from SPD to MACH?
What happens during the automatic changeover from SPD to MACH?
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What does the Thrust Lever Angle (TLA) primarily determine?
What does the Thrust Lever Angle (TLA) primarily determine?
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What happens when the crew moves the thrust levers to the CL detent after takeoff?
What happens when the crew moves the thrust levers to the CL detent after takeoff?
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In which scenario will the A/THR remain engaged with one engine inoperative?
In which scenario will the A/THR remain engaged with one engine inoperative?
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What is indicated by the display of MAN TOGA in the FMA Auto Thrust column?
What is indicated by the display of MAN TOGA in the FMA Auto Thrust column?
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What occurs when the thrust levers are moved to IDLE during manual flight?
What occurs when the thrust levers are moved to IDLE during manual flight?
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What message displays when the A/THR is voluntarily disconnected?
What message displays when the A/THR is voluntarily disconnected?
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What activates the A/THR after it has been armed?
What activates the A/THR after it has been armed?
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What should a pilot do to re-engage the A/THR after a disconnect?
What should a pilot do to re-engage the A/THR after a disconnect?
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What occurs during the flare phase with A/THR in SPEED mode if the thrust levers are not moved to IDLE?
What occurs during the flare phase with A/THR in SPEED mode if the thrust levers are not moved to IDLE?
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When does the FMA A/THR indicate a transition from thrust mode to SPEED mode?
When does the FMA A/THR indicate a transition from thrust mode to SPEED mode?
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What is the recommended method for disconnecting A/THR to prevent unexpected thrust variations?
What is the recommended method for disconnecting A/THR to prevent unexpected thrust variations?
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When A/THR is INACTIVE, what must the crew do for taxi and takeoff?
When A/THR is INACTIVE, what must the crew do for taxi and takeoff?
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What happens immediately after an instinctive disconnect is performed?
What happens immediately after an instinctive disconnect is performed?
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What type of disconnect occurs when the instinctive disconnects are used for Auto Thrust or AP?
What type of disconnect occurs when the instinctive disconnects are used for Auto Thrust or AP?
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What is displayed on the FMA when both autopilots and flight directors are turned off?
What is displayed on the FMA when both autopilots and flight directors are turned off?
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What occurs to the FMA modes when the FPV is displayed?
What occurs to the FMA modes when the FPV is displayed?
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How should the flight directors be operated in normal conditions?
How should the flight directors be operated in normal conditions?
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What guidance does the Yaw Bar provide during takeoff or landing?
What guidance does the Yaw Bar provide during takeoff or landing?
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What happens to the command bars when a go-around is initiated in TRK/FPA mode?
What happens to the command bars when a go-around is initiated in TRK/FPA mode?
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Which knob on the FCU is responsible for altitude adjustments?
Which knob on the FCU is responsible for altitude adjustments?
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What does the FMA indicate when FD1 is selected to ON?
What does the FMA indicate when FD1 is selected to ON?
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What is indicated if only one FD is selected ON during normal operations?
What is indicated if only one FD is selected ON during normal operations?
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What function does pressing the HDG-V/S/TRK-FPA button serve?
What function does pressing the HDG-V/S/TRK-FPA button serve?
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What occurs if a disconnect happens during a DUAL approach?
What occurs if a disconnect happens during a DUAL approach?
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What does the vertical command bar provide during flight?
What does the vertical command bar provide during flight?
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What indicates the status of the AP when it is engaged?
What indicates the status of the AP when it is engaged?
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What does the Flight Management part of the FMGS primarily provide for an aircraft?
What does the Flight Management part of the FMGS primarily provide for an aircraft?
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In dual autopilot operations, what determines which FMGC serves as the master?
In dual autopilot operations, what determines which FMGC serves as the master?
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What function does the Flight Augmentation Computer provide regarding windshear?
What function does the Flight Augmentation Computer provide regarding windshear?
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What is the primary role of the autopilot in the Flight Guidance part of FMGS?
What is the primary role of the autopilot in the Flight Guidance part of FMGS?
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What happens when an autopilot is engaged during a dual mode CAT IIIB approach?
What happens when an autopilot is engaged during a dual mode CAT IIIB approach?
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Which input source is synchronized to both FMGCs for redundancy?
Which input source is synchronized to both FMGCs for redundancy?
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What does the term 'Fail Operational' refer to in a CAT III DUAL system?
What does the term 'Fail Operational' refer to in a CAT III DUAL system?
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What indicates which autopilot is currently engaged during flight operations?
What indicates which autopilot is currently engaged during flight operations?
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How does the Flight Augmentation Part support flight control functions?
How does the Flight Augmentation Part support flight control functions?
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What feature does the 'Instinctive Disconnect' button provide?
What feature does the 'Instinctive Disconnect' button provide?
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What is the purpose of angle of attack protection in the FMGS?
What is the purpose of angle of attack protection in the FMGS?
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What is the minimum altitude above ground level (AGL) for engaging an autopilot after takeoff?
What is the minimum altitude above ground level (AGL) for engaging an autopilot after takeoff?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the Flight Management part of the FMGS?
Which of the following is NOT a function of the Flight Management part of the FMGS?
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What does pressing the AP 1 or AP 2 pushbuttons accomplish?
What does pressing the AP 1 or AP 2 pushbuttons accomplish?
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What color is displayed on the FMA for armed modes that are managed?
What color is displayed on the FMA for armed modes that are managed?
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Which columns on the FMA are synchronized to provide identical displays on both PFDs?
Which columns on the FMA are synchronized to provide identical displays on both PFDs?
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What is the effect of pressing the A/THR pushbutton?
What is the effect of pressing the A/THR pushbutton?
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When are special messages displayed in the FMA?
When are special messages displayed in the FMA?
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What happens when the Altitude Selector Knob is pressed?
What happens when the Altitude Selector Knob is pressed?
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Which mode causes the A/THR to maintain a specific target speed?
Which mode causes the A/THR to maintain a specific target speed?
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What does the white box surrounding an active FMA mode indicate?
What does the white box surrounding an active FMA mode indicate?
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Which thrust detent is not available when A/THR is engaged?
Which thrust detent is not available when A/THR is engaged?
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What color signals that the A/THR is armed but not active?
What color signals that the A/THR is armed but not active?
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What is the primary purpose of the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA)?
What is the primary purpose of the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA)?
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In which condition do the vertical and lateral columns of the FMA combine?
In which condition do the vertical and lateral columns of the FMA combine?
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How is the thrust value affected when A/THR is engaged?
How is the thrust value affected when A/THR is engaged?
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What happens when the thrust levers are moved to the IDLE position with A/THR ON?
What happens when the thrust levers are moved to the IDLE position with A/THR ON?
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Study Notes
A320 Auto Flight System
- The A320 Auto flight system provides fully automatic flight management with pilot override capability
- Automation increases safety, comfort, and reduces crew workload
- The system utilizes two identical Flight Management Guidance Computers (FMGCs) that synchronize operations
- Position data inputs include ADIRS, GPS, and Radio Navigation data, used to compute flight plan profiles
- Flight deck controls include the Flight Control Unit (FCU), EFIS displays, FD Pb switches, thrust levers, and MCDUs
- MCDU inputs are for long-term "managed" guidance, providing thrust, pitch, and lateral guidance according to the flight plan
- FCU inputs are for short-term "selected" guidance, providing pilot direct inputs similar to conventional auto flight
- FMGS signals operate Autopilots, Autothrust, Flight Directors, and EFIS displays, and automatically tunes navigation radios
- FMGS comprises flight management, flight guidance, and flight augmentation
- Flight Management determines aircraft position, navigates lateral flight plans, optimizes performance, and predicts waypoints, altitudes, and fuel requirements
- Flight Guidance provides autopilot, autothrust, and flight director commands
- Flight Augmentation (FAC) computes flight envelope limits (VLS, VMO, VFE, VA), windshear alerts, and angle of attack protection
- FMGCs synchronize to maintain redundancy, with one typically acting as the master based on AP selection(s)
Autopilot and Flight Director Engagement
- Both Flight Directors (FDs) are typically on during flight, with an Autopilot (AP) selected after takeoff.
- AP engagement requires an AGL of 100ft and 5 seconds of flight time
- Only one AP can engage at any one time, except during dual autopilot Autoland approaches (CAT IIIB)
- With CAT 3 approaches, both APs are armed in the APPR, then AP2 is selected
- CAT 3 Dual is a fail-operational automatic landing system, which allows for an automatic approach and landing to CAT IIIB minimums.
- A CAT 3 Single system is a fail-passive automatic landing system, where the pilot assumes control after a failure.
- An "Instinctive Disconnect" pushbutton is available on each sidestick (also on THR LVRs) to take manual control if the Auto Thrust or Auto Pilot malfunctions.
- Disengagement using the instinctive disconnect produces aural and visual alerts, but self-clears its alarms.
- Other disconnections trigger ECAM actions that must be cleared, especially during a dual approach.
- If the system disconnects during a dual approach, the approach capabilities are downgraded
- FDs provide guidance displayed on PFDs using command bars, yaw bar for low visibility, or FPV with FPD
- Selecting both FDs on or off is recommended.
Flight Control Unit (FCU)
- The FCU allows pilots to adjust short-term FMGS parameters.
- Includes four knobs for speed, heading, altitude, and vertical modes
- "Selected" modes allow pilots to input target values directly
- "Managed" modes delegate target settings to the FMGS
- SPD/MACH knob (selected vs managed): Rotation sets a target speed, while pushing sets a managed speed. Transitioning between SPD/MACH automatically happens during climb/descent.
- HDG/TRK knob (selected vs managed): Rotation sets target heading/track; pushing engages managed mode.
- ALT knob (selected vs managed): Rotation sets target altitude; pushing engages managed mode.
- V/S/FPA knob (selected vs managed): Rotation sets target vertical speed/flight path angle; pushing engages managed mode to set V/S or FPA to zero.
- FCU has 2 channels, either will activate.
- Mode/target values are displayed in the window, as well as on the associated PFDs.
Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA)
- FMA displays both "managed" (long-term) and "selected" (short-term) FMGS modes
- FMA displays modes for speed, heading, and altitude
- Information includes Autothrust modes in the lefthand column, AP/FD vertical modes (middle column) and approach and lateral capabilities
- FMA status of each are displayed in the righthand column
- The FMA synchronizes the 4th and 5th columns on both PFDs
- Mode change alerts utilize a brief white box indicator
- Specific messages are displayed using different colors and durations (examples: "MAN PITCH TRIM ONLY", "CHECK APP SEL")
Auto-Thrust System (A/THR)
- A/THR handles thrust operations after takeoff (when A/THR is not engaged, the captain/first officer inputs the thrust).
- A/THR is not available during TOGA or FLX thrust
- A/THR utilizes Thrust Levers from idle up to climb power
- Power is determined by thrust lever position
- A/THR operating options include speed or thrust level adjustments according to AP/FD vertical modes and input through the Thrust Levers
- A/THR control involves the Auto-Thrust pushbutton and thrust levers
- On the ground, A/THR is disengaged, requiring manual thrust settings for taxi and takeoff
- A/THR can be disconnected when manually adjusting the thrust levers
- The correct method to disconnect the A/THR is to first match your thrust lever position based on the N1 digital reading and then press the Instinctive Disconnect button
- Press the A/THR pushbutton to re-engage the A/THR after a disconnect.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the A320 Auto Flight System, which combines safety and automation to enhance pilot operations. This quiz covers the functionalities of the Flight Management Guidance Computers (FMGCs), flight deck controls, and the integration of various navigation data. Prepare to explore the intricacies of flight management, guidance, and augmentation systems.
