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TABLE OF CONTENT
LEGAL CAUTION ..........................................................................................................................................................2
AUTOFLIGHT- GENERAL ...............................................................................................................................................2
OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................................................2
FLIGHT MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE COMPUTER ........................................................................................................3
FLIGHT MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE COMPUTER DATABASES ......................................................................................3
FLIGHT AUGMENTATION COMPUTER .........................................................................................................................4
FLIGHT CONTROL UNIT ................................................................................................................................................4
SPEED/MACH SELECTOR KNOB ........................................................................................................................................5
HEADING/TRACK SELECTOR KNOB .................................................................................................................................5
ALTITUDE SELECTOR KNOB ................................................................................................................................................6
VERTICAL SPEED/FLIGHT PATH ANGLE SELECTOR KNOB ..............................................................................................7
LOCALIZER PUSHBUTTON ...................................................................................................................................................7
AUTOPILOT PUSHBUTTONS .................................................................................................................................................7
AUTOTHRUST PUSHBUTTON ................................................................................................................................................7
APPROACH PUSHBUTTON .................................................................................................................................................7
EXPEDITE PUSHBUTTON ......................................................................................................................................................8
MULTIPURPOSE CONTROL AND DISPLAY UNIT ...........................................................................................................8
LINE SELECT KEYS.................................................................................................................................................................8
ALPHANUMERIC KEYS ........................................................................................................................................................8
DATA ENTRY.........................................................................................................................................................................9
SPACE KEY ...........................................................................................................................................................................9
OVERFLY KEY .......................................................................................................................................................................9
CLEAR KEY ...........................................................................................................................................................................9
AIRPORT KEY ......................................................................................................................................................................10
SLEW KEYS ..........................................................................................................................................................................10
BRIGHT/DIM KEYS..............................................................................................................................................................10
TOP ANNUNCIATORS .......................................................................................................................................................10
SIDE ANNUNCIATORS ......................................................................................................................................................11
SCRATCHPAD MESSAGES ...............................................................................................................................................11
FONT SIZE ...........................................................................................................................................................................12
COLOR CODE ...................................................................................................................................................................12
SCREEN PROMPTS ............................................................................................................................................................13
FUNCTION KEYS ................................................................................................................................................................13
THRUST LEVERS ...........................................................................................................................................................15
EFIS DISPLAYS .............................................................................................................................................................15
MODES OF OPERATION .............................................................................................................................................16
DUAL MODE ......................................................................................................................................................................16
INDEPENDENT MODE .......................................................................................................................................................16
SINGLE MODE ...................................................................................................................................................................17
BACKUP NAVIGATION MODE ........................................................................................................................................17
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS .....................................................................................................................................18

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1
LEGAL CAUTION
The material contained in this training program is based on the information obtained from
current national, international and company regulations and it is to be used for training
purposes only. At the time of designing this program contained then current information.
In the event of conflict between data provided herein and that in publications issued by
the authority, the authority shall take precedence.2
2
AUTOFLIGHT- GENERAL
This section provides a general description of the autoflight system, its organization and
functions. Here is the section outline:
 Overview
 Flight management guidance computer
 Flight augmentation computer
 Flight control unit
 Multipurpose control and display unit
 Thrust levers
 EFIS displays
 Modes of operation
 Warnings and caution
3
OVERVIEW
The purpose of auto flight system, or flight management and guidance system is to
perform navigation functions, compute performance parameters, guide the aircraft
along a pre-planned route, and reduce the cockpit workload.
4
The system is able to provide guidance from takeoff through climb, cruise and descent,
to approach and landing.
5
The auto flight system consists of two Flight Management Guidance Computers (FMGCs),
and two Flight Augmentation Computers (FACs).
6
The computers are located in the aft avionics rack.
7
In the cockpit, two Multipurpose Control and Display Units (CDUs), and the Flight Control
Unit, (FCU), let the flight crew control the functions of the FMGCs.
8
The EFIS displays and the thrust levers are the other crew interfaces.
9

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The flight management and guidance system calculates the position of the aircraft using
several aircraft navigation sensors. It also has the flight plan in its memory. Knowing the
position of the aircraft and the flight plan selected, the system is able to compute the
commands sent to the flight controls and engines so that the aircraft follows the flight
plan.
10
The flight management and guidance system provides two types of guidance concept:
managed guidance and selected guidance
11
In managed guidance, the flight management guidance computer automatically
controls the aircraft along the preplanned route with regard to speed, lateral path and
vertical plan.
12
The selected guidance provides guidance of aircraft to target values of flight parameters
as selected by the flight crew on the FCU. The selected guidance always has priority over
the managed guidance.
13
FLIGHT MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE COMPUTER
Two identical Flight Management and Guidance Computers are designated as FMGC 1
and FMGC 2. Normally, FMGC 1 is associated with the MCDU 1 near the left pilot seat
and FMGC2 with the MCDU 2 near the right pilot seat.
14
Each Flight Management and Guidance Computer consists of two parts: flight
management and flight guidance.
15
The flight management part has several functions connected to the flight plan such as
navigation, radio navaid tuning, and performance optimization and information display
management.
16
The flight guidance part has 3 functions: autopilot, flight director and autothrust.
17
FLIGHT MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE COMPUTER DATABASES
Each FMGC contains a number of databases including the navigation database, airline
modifiable information, performance database and magnetic variation database.
18
The navigation database contains standard navigation data which includes navaids,
waypoints, airways, holding patterns, enroute data, airports, runways, procedures (SIDs,
STARs), company routes and alternates.
19
The navigation database is updated every 28 days to cover changes in navigational
data and procedures.

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20
The database loading into either FMGC takes 20 minutes to complete. Then, the other
FMGC is cross loaded through the crosstalk bus in 5 minutes.
21
The navigational database also incorporates additional space for crew created
navigational data, which allows manual entry of 20 navaids, 20 waypoints, 5 routes and
10 runways.
22
The Airline Modifiable Information contains data selected by the operator. The data
includes airline policy values such as THRUST REDUCTION altitude, ACCELERATION
altitudes, PERFORMANCE and IDLE factors; fuel policy values such as fuel for taxi,
percentage of the route reserve, and customized AOC functions.
23
The performance database stores the data related to engine model, aerodynamic
model, and performance model. This database cannot be modified by the airline.
24
The magnetic variation database contains the magnetic variation tables.
25
FLIGHT AUGMENTATION COMPUTER
The basic functions of a flight augmentation computer are to control rudder trim, rudder
travel and yaw damper.
26
It also provides flight envelope protection by computing the various characteristic
speeds for aircraft operation and, if installed, for low energy warning and windshear
detections.
27
FLIGHT CONTROL UNIT
The Flight Control Unit, FCU, is installed on the glareshield between two EFIS control panels.
28
Basically, the FCU provides the short term interface between the flight crew and the flight
guidance part of FMGCs. It allows the autopilot, flight director and autothrust
engagement, and the selection of guidance modes and flight parameters.
29
The FCU has two channels. If one channel fails, the other channel can control all the
functions. Now let’s take a closer look at the FCU.
30
The FCU lets the flight crew use either managed or selected guidance mode to control
the aircraft in auto flight.
31

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In managed guidance, the aircraft uses target quantities set by the FMGCs. You push
the appropriate selector knob on the FCU to arm or engage managed guidance for a
mode.
32
In selected guidance, aircraft uses target quantities manually entered by the flight crew.
You turn the associated selector knob to set the desired value, then pull the knob to
engage a selected guidance mode. The aircraft can be operated with mixed managed
and selected modes.
33
SPEED/MACH SELECTOR KNOB
The managed speed mode is engaged by pushing the SPEED/ MACH selector knob.
Dashes are displayed in the SPEED/ MACH window and managed SPEED/MACH dot
comes on. Now the speed is controlled by the FMGC.
34
With the speed/Mach window dashed, if you turn the SPEED/MACH selector, the first click
changes the dashes into the managed speed by the FMGC. Continue to turn the knob
to select the desired speed. When the knob is pulled, the selected speed mode engages
and the FMGC uses the selected speed displayed in the speed/Mach window. The
managed speed/Mach dot extinguishes. If the knob is not pulled within 10 seconds,
display reverts to dashes.
35
The speed/Mach window displays the speed between 100 and 399 knots. The Mach
shows from 0.10 to 0.99. One rotation of the knob corresponds to approximately 32 knots
or 0.32 Mach.
36
The SPEED/MACH pushbutton is used to change the SPEED target to the corresponding
MACH target and vice versa.
37
HEADING/TRACK SELECTOR KNOB
The HEADING/TRACK selector knob lets you operate the auto flight system in managed
lateral NAVIGATION mode, or selected HEADING or TRACK mode.
38
The managed navigation mode arms when HEADING/TRACK selector knob is pushed.
The Managed LATERAL dot light illuminates. During the arming phase, the heading or
track is displayed until interception of the flight plan and then dashes will replace the
heading or track.
39
With the heading/track window dashed, if you turn the HEADING/TRACK selector one
click, the heading/track window shows the present aircraft heading or track. Continue
to turn the knob to select the desired heading or track. When the knob is pulled, the
selected heading/track mode engages with the value displayed in the window. The

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managed LATERAL dot extinguishes. If the knob is not pulled within 45 seconds, display
reverts to dashes.
40
The heading/track window displays the heading or track between 0 ° and 359 °. One
rotation of the knob corresponds to 32 °.
41
The Heading Vertical speed/ Track Flight Path Angle pushbutton allows selection of
Heading and Vertical Speed or Track and Flight Path Angle modes.
42
With the heading/vertical speed mode selected, heading/track window shows HDG and
vertical speed/flight path angle window shows V/S. Flight director command bars can
be displayed on the primary flight display.
43
You push the button to change the Heading/Vertical speed into Track /Flight Path Angle
mode when needed. Heading/track window now annunciates TRK. Vertical speed/flight
path angle window shows FPA. The flight path vector is displayed on the primary flight
display and the flight director command bars are replaced with the flight path director.
44
ALTITUDE SELECTOR KNOB
The Altitude Selector changes the altitude displayed in the ALTITUDE window.
45
The outer knob provides selection of 100 or 1000 foot increments. When the inner knob is
turned, the displayed altitude changes by thousands or hundreds feet, depending on
the outer knob selection.
46
When the inner knob is pushed, managed climb or descent mode engages if the
displayed altitude is different from the present aircraft altitude. Managed level change
dot comes on. Vertical guidance is controlled by the FMGC complying with the altitude
constraints in the flight plan.
47
When the Altitude knob is pulled, open climb or open descent mode engages the level
change light is off. Vertical guidance is controlled by the pilot.
48
The altitude window shows the altitude from 100 to 49000 feet. Note that the altitude
window always displays a target altitude selected by the crew. The window is never
dashed.
49
When you push the METRIC ALTITUDE pushbutton, the FCU altitude target in meters is
displayed on the lower ECAM display unit.
50

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VERTICAL SPEED/FLIGHT PATH ANGLE SELECTOR KNOB


The Vertical Speed/Flight Path Angle Selector knob is used to change the value of the
vertical speed or flight path angle displayed in the Vertical Speed/ Flight Path Angle
window.
51
With the heading/vertical speed mode selected, the window displays the vertical speed.
In this case, one rotation of the knob corresponds to 1600 feet per minute.
52
You should select the track/flight path angle mode to display the flight path angle in the
window. One rotation of the knob now corresponds to 3.2°
53
When the knob is pulled, the Vertical Speed or Flight Path Angle mode engages with a
reference displayed on the vertical speed/flight path angle window. The level change
light is off. If the knob is not pulled within 45 seconds, display reverts to dashes.
54
When you push the vertical speed/flight path angle knob, an immediate level-off is
commanded by engaging the related mode with a zero target.
55
The flight mode annunciator will show VS=0 when levelled off. If the flight crew now turns
the knob to put in a new setting for vertical speed or flight path angle, the aircraft
changes flight path accordingly.
56
The vertical speed flight path angle window displays the vertical speed between –6 000
and +6 000 feet per minute. The flight path angle shows from –9.9 ° to +9.9 °. Now let’s
take a look at the engagement buttons on the FCU.
57
LOCALIZER PUSHBUTTON
The LOCALIZER pushbutton lets you arm, engage, or disengage the LOC mode.
58
AUTOPILOT PUSHBUTTONS
Autopilot 1 and 2 pushbuttons are used to engage or disengage the related the
autopilot. Autopilot engagement is confirmed by the illumination of the three green bars.
59
AUTOTHRUST PUSHBUTTON
The autothrust pushbutton lets you arm, activate or disconnect the autothrust function.
The button illuminates green when the autothrottle is armed or active
60
APPROACH PUSHBUTTON
The APPROACH pushbutton arms, disarms, engages, or disengages, the LOCALIZER and
GLIDESLOPE modes, if an ILS approach is selected in the active flight plan or APPROAC

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NAVIGATION-FINAL modes, if a non-precision approach is selected in the active flight


plan
61
EXPEDITE PUSHBUTTON
The EXPEDITE pushbutton is used to engage the expedite mode to climb or descend.
62
MULTIPURPOSE CONTROL AND DISPLAY UNIT
Two Multipurpose control and display units, MCDUs, on the central pedestal provide long-
term interface between the flight crew and the flight Management part of the FMGCs.
This part presents the general description of the MCDU. More details are given in different
lessons
63
The MCDU has a Liquid Crystal Display. It contains 14 lines, each having 24 characters.
64
The display is divided into three functional areas. The line 1 is used as a title line that gives
the name of the current page in large font.
65
The data field contains 6 data lines that display either data from the FMGC or data
entered by the flight crew in large font. Six label lines show the title of the data just below
it in small font. Here are some examples of label lines and data lines.
66
The bottom line is the scratchpad. It is used by the flight crew to insert or modify data in
the data field, or to display FMGC messages.
67
LINE SELECT KEYS
There are six line select keys on each side of the display. The left keys are identified as
1L through 6L and the right keys are identified as 1R through 6R.
68
You use line select keys to enter data written in the scratchpad in the adjacent data line.
69
The line select keys are also used to activate a specific function or access another page
displayed by a prompt on the adjacent data field line.
70
ALPHANUMERIC KEYS
The alphanumeric keys allow you to write data on the scratchpad.
71
The plus/minus key is normally used to enter negative figures, such as outside air
temperature. Number entries are assumed positive unless a minus sign is used. Minus is
selected when pressing once; plus is selected when pressing twice.
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The slash key is used to separate data when multiple entries are written on the scratchpad
for the same data line. Now, let’s see how you enter data into the MCDU with an
example
73
DATA ENTRY
For instance, to enter cruise altitude and temperature data, push the appropriate keys
to write the cruise flight level on the scratch pad. Push the slash key. Now, enter the
temperature. Check the data entered carefully before pressing the relevant line select
key. Next, press the related line select key to load the data from the scratchpad into the
data field. Note that a flight level can be entered with or without the leading FL
74
If only the first part of a double entry is to be made, you can omit the slash. However, to
enter only the second part of a double entry, you must use a leading slash.
75
When data has lead zeros, you may omit them if desired. For example, a three-digit wind
speed of 020 may be typed as 20. The display will still show 020. However, you must add
the lead zero, when entering an altitude below 1,000 ft., to differentiate the altitude from
a flight level.
76
If the entered data is not within the specified range, ENTRY OUT OF RANGE message
appears on the scratchpad.
77
When you enter a data which exceeds data field width or is of incorrect format, the
FORMAT ERROR message is displayed on the scratchpad.
78
The scratchpad shows the NOT ALLOWED message, if you attempt to insert the data into
a field where no data may be entered,
79
SPACE KEY
The space key is used to generate a space in a specific message. It is usually used for
free text type of messages in ACARS or ATSU applications
80
OVERFLY KEY
The overfly key is used to make the aircraft overfly a selected waypoint instead of flying
by.
81
CLEAR KEY
The clear key is used to erase messages or data from the scratchpad or a data field
82
Push the clear key shortly to erase the last character entered onto the scratchpad. A 83

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To remove a scratchpad message, just push the clear key. You don’t have to hold the
clear key. Your entry stays in the scratchpad after the message clears.
84
To erase data from the data field, push the clear key with the scratchpad empty. CLR
appears in the scratchpad. Now push the line select key next to the data line that you
want to clear. The data line is cleared, or will change to a defaulted or FMGC calculated
value.
85
If a leg is cleared in the flight plan, the leg is deleted from the flight plan, and a
discontinuity created in most cases.
86
You can remove CLR from the scratchpad by pushing the key a second time.
87
AIRPORT KEY
AIRPORT key lets you display the flight plan page that contains the next airport along the
current flight plan.
88
The first push of the AIRPORT key displays the primary destination airport. Successive
pushes on the key shows the alternate airport, the origin airport and the destination
airport again. Note that origin airport is displayed only before takeoff.
89
SLEW KEYS
The MCDU also incorporates horizontal and vertical slew keys.
90
If a function consists of more than one page, horizontal arrows show in the top right corner
of the screen. In this case, you use the horizontal slew keys to move to the next or previous
page.
91
If a page contains more data than fits on the screen, vertical arrows are displayed in the
lower right hand corner of the screen. You push the related vertical slew key to move the
page up or down to display portions that are off the screen.
92
BRIGHT/DIM KEYS
The bright and dim keys control the light intensity of the entire MCDU.
93
A long press on the DIM key starts the MCDU power-off.
94
A short press on the BRIGHT key performs a power-up of the MCDU
95
TOP ANNUNCIATORS
The top annunciators indicate the operation status of FMGCs and MCDU readiness.

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96
The green READY light illuminates when the MCDU has passed its power up test after it
was turned off using its DIM key.
97
The amber FM1 light illuminates to indicate failure of FMGC 1 flight management mode.
Likewise, the FM2 light comes on when FMGC 2 flight management mode fails.
98
When the FMGCs are operating in the independent mode, the INDEPENDENT light
illuminates.
99
SIDE ANNUNCIATORS
The MCDU also have annunciators on both sides of the keyboard.
100
When the MCDU has failed, the amber fail light comes on.
101
While the MCDU is being used by another system, such as ACARS, the FM light comes on
to tell you that the FMGC has an important message for you
102
To access the message select the MCDU MENU key and then push the line select key
adjacent to the FMGC prompt.
103
The MCDU MENU light illuminates when a user other than the FMGC, such as ACARS, ATSU
or CFDS, requests the display
104
SCRATCHPAD MESSAGES
The scratchpad provides various messages for flight crew information.
105
The messages are prioritized by importance to the flight crew as either amber or white.
White messages are advisory only.
106
Amber messages include navigation messages, data entry messages and EFIS repeat
messages.
107
The scratchpad messages are classified as TYPE 1 and TYPE 2.
108
The TYPE 1 messages are displayed as the direct result of a pilot action. These messages
are live messages which appear immediately ahead of other messages when you make
an error while using the MCDU.
109
The TYPE 2 messages are displayed to inform the flight crew of a given situation or to
prompt a pilot action. These messages are stored in a message queue which holds a

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maximum of 5 messages. As each message cleared, the next message in the queue is
displayed.
110
A TYPE 2 message is displayed in the scratchpad only if there is no Type 1 message or
other data.
110
You can clear all messages by pressing the CLEAR key.
112
FONT SIZE
As you may have already noticed, small and large fonts are used on the MCDU display.
113
The title line, all data lines, the scratchpad, and flight crew entries and modifiable data
are displayed in large font
114
Label lines, default or FMGC computed data are displayed in small fonts
115
COLOR CODE
The MCDU uses various colors for data display.
116
White is used for titles, comments, page prompts, arrows, dashes, minor messages, TO
waypoint and destination.
117
Modifiable data, selectable data, brackets and tuned navaids are displayed in blue.
118
Amber is used to indicate mandatory data, flight crew action required, important
messages and missed constraints.
119
Non-modifiable and active data is shown in green.
120
Magenta is used to indicate maximum altitude and constraints
121
In primary flight plan page, the waypoints are green and the legs are white.
122
In temporary flight plan page, the waypoints are yellow and the legs are white.
123
In secondary flight plan page, the waypoints and legs are indicated in white
124
In OFFSET page, the waypoints are green and the legs are white. Now, we will look at the
screen prompts.
125

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SCREEN PROMPTS
Amber boxes in the data line indicate that data entry is mandatory to make the FMGC
operate in full capability.
126
White dashes in the data line indicate that the related data will be calculated and
displayed by FMGC if it has enough information, or provided out of the database, or
entered by the flight crew.
127
The blue brackets indicate that the data entry in that line is optional
128
The horizontal arrows beside a line select key indicate that you can push the related key
to activate the prompt or select some data.
129
The horizontal arrows beside a waypoint tell you that aircraft must turn to indicated
direction at the waypoint adjacent to the arrow.
130
The horizontal arrows at the upper right corner of the screen indicate that the next or
previous page can be displayed by pushing the horizontal slew keys on the MCDU.
131
Up and down arrows next to a label line indicate that you can increase or decrease the
value displayed below by pushing vertical slew keys on the MCDU.
132
Up and down arrows at the bottom right corner of the screen let you scroll the page up
or down with the vertical slew keys.
133
Page prompts tell you that another page can be accessed by pressing adjacent line
select key.
134
Asterisks in the data lines indicate that the associated waypoint has a constraint and the
prediction is available.
135
An asterisk beside a line select key indicates that if related the key is pushed parameters
affecting the active situation of the aircraft will change.
136
A triangle beside a fixed waypoint on the flight plan page indicates that the aircraft must
fly over the related waypoint. Now, it is time to look at function keys on the MCDU.
137
FUNCTION KEYS
The function keys provides you with a direct access to MCDU main pages quickly.
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When you push the DIRECT key, the DIRECT TO page shows on the MCDU display. The
page is used to initiate a direct flight plan from the present position to any waypoint,
entered manually or selected in the active flight plan.
139
Pressing the PROGRAM key displays the progress page corresponding to the phase of
the active flight plan that is in progress. The page lets you update the flight management
and guidance system position and to obtain a bearing and distance to any location.
140
When the PERFORMANCE key is pushed, the MCDU displays the performance pages. The
performance pages provide performance data, speeds and various vertical predictions
related to each flight phase
141
When you push the INITIALIZATION key the first initialization page, called initialization a
page, is displayed. This page is used for flight plan initialization and aircraft position
initialization through the IRS initialization page during preflight.
142
You push horizontal slew keys to access initialization B page. This page is also used for
flight plan initialization by inserting the aircraft weight, block fuel, zero fuel center of
gravity, and other fuel requirements.
143
Note that initialization B page can only be accessed in the pre-flight phase.
144
If you push the horizontal slew keys in flight, the initialization of a page will not change to
initialization B page, but revert to the fuel prediction page
145
When the DATA key is pushed, first the DATA INDEX pages shows. The data index page
allows the flight crew to access various sub-menus
146
Pressing the FLIGHT PLAN key calls up the flight plan A and B pages. These pages show a
leg-by-leg description of the active primary flight plan. You use the left line select keys
to make lateral revisions to the flight plan and the right line select keys to make vertical
revisions to the flight plan.
147
When you push the RADIO NAVIGATION key, the RADIO NAVIGATION page shows. This
page displays the radio navaids tuned automatically or manually through the FMGC.
148
You press FUEL PREDICTION key to call up the FUEL PREDICTION page. The page allows
you to review the fuel remaining and time predictions for the destination and the
alternate, based on the current gross weight and fuel on board.
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The SECONDARY FLIGHT PLAN key is used to display the SECONDARY INDEX page.
150
From the SECONDARY INDEX page you can access the initialization and performance
pages. You can also call up, copy, review, delete and activate functions.
151
The ATC COMMUNICATION key allows you to access to the ATC applications if it is
available. Screen format may vary depending on installation.
152
MCDU MENU key lets you display the MCDU MENU page. The page lists the different
systems which can be accessed through the MCDU. You push the key beside the name
of a subsystem to select that subsystem.
153
When the MCDU MENU annunciator comes on, you should press the MCDU MENU key.
The menu page will have REQUIRED displayed next to the name of the subsystem that
requires attention.
154
THRUST LEVERS
The thrust levers provide interface between the FMGCs, the Full Authority Digital Engine
Control System, FADEC, and the flight crew.
155
The thrust levers provide engagement of autothrust, flight director and autopilot as
needed in takeoff and go-around modes. It enables selection of other thrust rating limits.
They also set the limit for the maximum thrust by their position, and command the thrust
manually when autothrust is not active.
156
EFIS DISPLAYS
The EFIS displays on the main instrument panel provide visual interface between the crew
and the flight management and guidance system.
157
The two Primary Flight Displays, PFDs, and two Navigation Displays, NDs enable each pilot
to continuously monitor status and operation of the Flight Management and Guidance
system
158
The primary flight display shows the flight director commands and various speeds and
reference parameters.
159
The flight mode annunciator on the primary flight display indicates armed and engaged
modes of autopilot, flight director and autothrottle.
160

Copyrights © 2007 by Flyco Training Solutions


Ref: C-OL-AC4006
A320 CBT Page: 16/18

AUTO FLIGHT-GENERAL Rev: 1


Date: 01.01.2018

The navigation display shows the flight plan track, aircraft present position, wind speed
and direction and other selected navigation features including waypoints, navaids, and
airports and so on.
161
Each pilot has an EFIS control panel to control both primary and navigation displays.
162
MODES OF OPERATION
The flight management and guidance system has one normal and three degraded
modes of operation.
163
DUAL MODE
The dual mode is the normal mode of operation. Each FMGC makes its own computation
and exchanges data with the other through a crosstalk bus.
164
In dual mode, one FMGC is MASTER and the other one is SLAVE. This ensures that prime
navigation functions are synchronized and that guidance commands the autopilot, flight
director and autothrust are supplied by the same source.
165
Data entered on the either MCDU is fed to both FMGCs and the other MCDU.
166
Each FMGC normally supplies its related primary flight display and navigation display,
and controls its own side receivers through a Radio Management Panel.
167
INDEPENDENT MODE
If a mismatch is detected between FMGCs, the system automatically reverts to the
degraded independent mode. In this mode, there is no interaction from one system to
the other one except status information. The two FMGCs and their associated MCDUs
operate separately and manage its own displays and radio management panel.
168
When the FMGCs operate independently, the INDEPENDENT OPERATION message is
displayed on both MCDU scratchpads. The INDEPENDENT annunciator on top of the
MCDU screen illuminates.
169
On the POSITION MONITOR page, the opposite FMGC position is not displayed. The same
is true for GPS MONITOR page.
170
On the RADIO NAVIGATION page, navaids tuned on the opposite MCDU are not
displayed. Corresponding fields are blank.
171
If INDEPENDENT OPERATION message is displayed on the ground, check the navigation
database number and validity on MCDUs. If each FMGC is loaded with a different

Copyrights © 2007 by Flyco Training Solutions


Ref: C-OL-AC4006
A320 CBT Page: 17/18

AUTO FLIGHT-GENERAL Rev: 1


Date: 01.01.2018

database, the flight management and guidance system will only operate in
independent mode. In this case, you can restore the dual operation by cross loading
the database.
172
When the message shows during flight, do not switch the navigation databases. Make
the same entries on both MCDUs so that both autopilots and flight directors have similar
commands.
173
With the message displayed, in the event of a single autopilot go-around, make sure that
the FMGC in command has correct flight plan and a valid navigation database.
174
SINGLE MODE
When one of the FMGCs fails, the system automatically goes to a degraded single mode
of operation. The remaining FMGC drives the both MCDUs and all the displays.
175
With the FMGC failed, the MENU page automatically shows on the MCDU corresponding
to the failed FMGC
176
When navigation displays are not in the same mode or range, the affected navigation
display shows MAP NOT AVAILABLE and SET OFFSIDE RANGE/MODE messages
177
If the navigation displays are in the same mode and range, the affected navigation
display shows the OFFSIDE FM CONTROL amber message.
178
When the FMGC prompt is pushed, the OPPOSITE FMGC IN PROCESS message is
displayed on the MCDU scratchpad.
179
If the single mode of operation is activated due to a temporary failure, do not use the
MCDUs until the PLEASE WAIT message disappears. Select the same range and mode on
both NDs. Reset the failed FMGC when convenient
180
BACKUP NAVIGATION MODE
When both FMGCs have failed, you can use the backup navigation degraded mode.
181
You select the backup navigation mode on the MCDU MENU page.
182
The MCDU continuously memorizes the active flight plan in its internal memory. Each
MCDU then performs computations based on inputs from its own IRS/GPS and provides
information for navigation display independent of the other MCDU.
183

Copyrights © 2007 by Flyco Training Solutions


Ref: C-OL-AC4006
A320 CBT Page: 18/18

AUTO FLIGHT-GENERAL Rev: 1


Date: 01.01.2018

The backup navigation provides flight plan automatic sequencing, aircraft position using
onside IRS, flight plan display on navigation display and limited lateral revision. No
autopilot/flight director navigation mode is available.
184
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
When both FCU channels fail, both master caution lights come on, a single chime sounds
and the ECAM shows the FCU 1+2 FAULT caution message.
185
With the both FCU channels failed, the barometer reference automatically goes to
standard. You should use the standby altimeter, and change this to the actual
barometer setting.
186
All FCU controls are inoperative.
187
Both autopilots, both flight directors and autothrust are not available. However, when in
LAND or GO AROUND mode, only autothrust is inoperative.
188
On primary flight display, the altitude alert is inoperative, Mach is not displayed, and the
flight mode annunciator is not available except in LAND or GO AROUND mode. The ILS
deviation scales and Flight path vector are displayed.
189
On the navigation display, the ROSE NAVIGATION mode with map up to range of 80
nautical miles is displayed. The Number#1 VOR/ADF needle is associated with VOR 1 only
and number #2 needle with the ADF 2 only, or ADF1 if ADF 2 is not installed. Weather
radar returns may be lost. You must disregard the weather radar indication if it remains
displayed.
190
End of course.

Copyrights © 2007 by Flyco Training Solutions

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