AUTO FLIGHT

FMGS Modes of Operation

ATA 22_10
 GENERAL
The FMGS has four modes of operation:
1. Dual mode (normal mode)
2. Independent mode. Each FMGC being controlled by its associated
MCDU
3. Single mode (using one FMGC only)
4. Back–up navigation mode.
 DUAL MODE
• This is the normal mode.
• Two FMGCs are synchronized:
• performs its own computations and exchanges data through a crosstalk bus.
• One FMGC is the master, the other the slave,
• some data in the slave FMGC comes from the master.
• All data inserted into any MCDU is transferred to both FMGCs and to
all peripherals.
DUAL MODE
 DUAL MODE
MASTER FMGC LOGIC
o If one (AP) is engaged, the related FMGC is master:
• It uses the onside FD for guidance
• It controls the A/THR
• It controls the FMA 1 and 2.

o If two APs are engaged, FMGC1 is master.

o If no AP is engaged, and
• The FD1 pb is on, then FMGC1 is master
• The FD1 pb is off, and FD2 pb on then FMGC2 is master.

o If no AP/FD is engaged, A/THR is controlled by FMGC1.

INDEPENDENT MODE
 INDEPENDENT MODE
• Automatically selects this degraded mode under specific abnormal conditions
(e.g.different dbase validity on both FMGCs).
• Both FMGCs work independently and are linked only to peripherals on their own
sides of the flight deck (“onside” peripherals).
• “INDEPENDENT OPERATION” message is displayed on both MCDU scratchpads.
• “IND” annunciator on top of the MCDU is lit.
• Each MCDU transmits data it receives from its onside FMGC. It affects only the
onside EFIS and RMP
• On the POS MONITOR pg (and GPS MONITOR pg*), FMGS pos (and GPS pos*) from
the opposite FMGC is not displayed.
• On the RAD NAV pg, navaids tuned on the opposite MCDU are not displayed.
Corresponding fields are blank.
 INDEPENDENT MODE
PROCEDURES ON GROUND
If each FMGC is loaded with a different database, the FMGS will only
operate in independent mode.

• CHECK the database number and validity.

• CROSSLOAD the database to restore the dual operation.

• Crossload function is available on ground only (in preflight or done

phase), when an independent operation is detected.
 INDEPENDENT MODE
PROCEDURES ON INFLIGHT
• DON’T SWITCH the nav dbases.
• MAKE same entries on both MCDUs to have both AP/FDs similar orders.
• Both FGs being valid, 2 APs may be engaged for CAT II or CAT III ops.

In the event of a go-around and when the second AP is disconnected:

• ENSURE that the FMGC in command has correct flight plan orders and an
updated nav database.

• Airbus does not recommend pulling one FMGC circuit breaker to force the
system to operate in SINGLE mode.
SINGLE MODE
 SINGLE MODE
• System automatically selects this degraded mode when one FMGC
fails.
• When this occurs, the MCDU on the side of the failed FMGC reverts to
MCDU MENU page, and a prompt to connect the MCDU on the
opposite FMGC is displayed.
• When this prompt is pressed, the "OPP FMGC IN PROCESS" message
is displayed in white on the MCDU scratchpad.
 SINGLE MODE
On the ND usually associated with the failed FM:
• If the NDs are not both in the same mode or range, the associated ND
displays "MAP NOT AVAIL“ and "SET OFFSIDE RNG/MODE".
• If the NDs are in the same mode and range, the associated ND displays
the "OFFSIDE FM CONTROL" amber message.

Both POS MONITOR pages display the same position (operative FMGC
position).
Both FDs are driven by the same FMGC. Any entry on either MCDU is sent
to the operative FMGC.
 SINGLE MODE
PROCEDURES
• If a transient failure triggers a single mode of operation:
o DO NOT USE the MCDU(s) until the PLEASE WAIT message is suppressed.
o SET both NDs on the same range and mode,to display the same information
from the operative FMGC.

When convenient, RESET the failed FMGC. (Refer to DSC-22_20-90-10

Manual FMGS Reset - General).
BACK UP NAVIGATION MODE
 BACK UP NAVIGATION MODE
• The flight crew selects on the MCDU MENU page this degraded mode
when both FMGCs fail.
• Recover the navigation function through the MCDU and IRS/GPS * .
• The MCDU continuously memorizes the active flight plan in its
memory.
 BACK UP NAVIGATION MODE
If both FMGCs fail, the back up nav provides the following functions:
• Flight Planning
• Aircraft position using onside IRS, IRS3, or GPIRS position (if GPS * )
• F-PLN display on ND
• No AP/FD NAV mode
• Limited lateral revision
• F-PLN automatic sequencing.
 PILOT INTERFACE
The flight management system displays navigation, performance and
guidance information on the:
• MCDU
• Navigation Display (ND) of the Electronic Flight Instrument System
(EFIS)
• Primary Flight Display (PFD) of the EFIS
MCDU INTERFACE
 MCDU
The Multipurpose Control and Display Unit (MCDU) has a LCD with 14 lines of
24 characters each, including:
• A title line that gives the name of the current page in large letters
• Six label lines, each of which names the data displayed just below it (on the
data field line)
• Six data field lines that display computed data or data inserted by the flight
crew
• The scratchpad line that displays:
• Specific messages
• Information the flight crew has entered by means of the number and letter keys and
which can then be moved to one of the data fields.
 c
LINE SELECT KEYS
• On each side of the screen.
• Crew uses these keys to:
• Move a parameter from scratchpad to the appropriate line on the main
screen
• Call up a specific function page indicated by a prompt displayed on the
adjacent line
• Call up lateral or vertical revision pages from the flight plan page.
 MCDU
KEYBOARD
• Function and Page keys
 ↑ ↓ (or SLEW) keys
 ← → keys
 AIRPORT key

• Number and letter keys

• Three keys have special functions:

 CLR
 OVFY
 SP
 MCDU
ANNUNCIATORS (ON THE SIDE OF THE KEYBOARD)
• FAIL (amber)
• MCDU MENU (white)
• FM (white)

ANNUNCIATORS (ON THE TOP OF THE KEYBOARD)

• FM 1 and FM 2(amber)
• IND (amber)
• RDY (green)

BRT AND DIM KEYS

 MCDU
DATA ENTRY
• Typing data into Scratcpad
• Pressing LSK into desire field
• An error message displays if the data is out of range or not formatted correctly.

MCDU ENTRY FORMAT

• When data has lead zeros, they may be omitted if desired
• e.g. 060 may be typed as 60
• To enter an altitude <1 000 ft, the lead zero must be added as 0400 for 400 ft.
• To enter a double data entry, separating slash must be used
 MCDU
MESSAGES : scratchpad displays various messages
• Amber messages are:
 Navigation messages
 Data entry messages
 EFIS repeat messages.

Two types Amber Messages

1. Type 1 message : direct result of a flight crew action. Displayed immediately in the scratchpad
ahead of other messages.
2. Type 2 messages inform the flight crew of a given situation or request a specific action. Stored in
“last in”, “first out” message queue that holds maximum of 5 messages. Displayed in the
scratchpad only if there are no Type 1 messages or other

• White messages are advisory only.

 MCDU
CHARACTERS
Small and large fonts are displayed according to the following rules:
• The title line and the scratchpad are displayed in large font
• Datafields are usually displayed in large font
• Label lines are displayed in small font
• Flight crew entries and modifiable data are displayed in large font
• Defaulted/computed and non modifiable data are displayed in small
font.
 MCDU
COLORS
 MCDU
MCDU FUNCTION KEYS
DIR SEC F-PLN
PROG ATC COMM
PERF MCDU MENU
INIT FUEL PRED
DATA RAD NAV
F-PLN
 MCDU
MCDU DISPLAY
The MCDUs display:
• Position and accuracy information
• Tuned navaids
• Lateral and vertical flight plans (waypoints, pseudo waypoints, constraints)
• Predictions (SPD, TIME, ALT, WIND)
• Fuel predictions and fuel management information (estimated fuel on board,
extra fuel)

• Performance data.
 FCU
Located on the glareshield and is constituted of three control panels:
• One for the automatic flight controls and two for the Electronic Flight
Instrument System (EFIS).
• The FCU has two channels, each of which can independently
command the central control panel. If one channel fails, the other can
control all the functions
FCU
 FCU PHILOSOPHY
Two types of guidance in auto flight.
• Managed by the FMGS.
FCU windows display dashes and the white dots next to those windows light up

• Uses target quantities (manually entered / Selected).

The windows display the selected numbers and the white dots do not light up.

The altitude window always displays an altitude selected by the flight crew (never dashes).
 FCU
The FCU has four knobs:
• SPD-MACH
• HDG-TRK
• ALT
• V/S-FPA

The knobs can be rotated, pushed in, and pulled out

• Turning a knob without pulling it, displays a value that is the sum of the current target and
the turn action value. The display remains 45 s on the HDG/TRK and V/S windows and 10 s on
the SPD/MACH window before the dashes reappear. This rule does not apply to the ALT
knob/window.
 SPEED/MACH CONTROL AREA
SPD/MACH KNOB
• Display range: 100 - 399 kt for speed, 0.10 - 0.99 for Mach number.
• One rotation of the knob corresponds to approximately 32 kt or M
0.32.

SPD/MACH PB
• Pushing this changes the SPD target to the corresponding MACH
target and vice versa.
 LATERAL CONTROL AREA
HDG/TRK KNOB
• Display range: 0 ° - 359 °.
• One rotation corresponds to 32 ° (1 ° per click).

LOC PB
• Pushing this : arms, engages, or disengages the LOC mode or the LOC
B/C mode.
 LATERAL CONTROL AREA (Cont.)
HDG V/S – TRK FPA PB
• To select HDG (associated with V/S) or TRK (associated with FPA).
• Pushing it:
Displays the Flight Path Vector (FPV) on the Primary Flight Display (PFD) or
deletes it.
On the PFD, changes the FD crossbar display to the aircraft Flight Path
Director and vice versa.
Changes heading reference into track reference in the HDG/TRK window and
vice versa.
Changes vertical speed reference target into flight path angle reference target
in the V/S-FPA window and vice versa.
 AP-A/THR CONTROL AREA
AP1 PB AND AP2 PB
• To engage or disengage the autopilots.
The buttons illuminate green when the autopilot is engaged.

A/THR PB
• To arm, activate, or disconnect the autothrust (A/THR).
This button illuminates green if the A/THR is armed or active.
 VERTICAL CONTROL AREA
Always displays a target value selected by the flight crew. It never
displays dashes.

ALTITUDE KNOB (INNER AND OUTER)

• Display range: 100 - 49 000 ft
o The outer knob positions: 100 and 1000
o The inner knob sets the altitude in increments of 100 or 1 000 ft, depending
the position of the outer knob.
 VERTICAL CONTROL AREA (Cont.)
EXPED PB
• To engage the expedite mode

METRIC ALT PB
• To display the FCU altitude target in meters on the ECAM, or the
current altitude and FCU/FM altitude target in meters on the PFD
 VERTICAL CONTROL AREA (Cont.)
V/S OR FPA KNOB
• Range (V/S) : –6 000 to +6 000 ft/min
2 clicks = 100 ft/min
If the flight crew turns the knob slowly, each click equals 100 ft/min.

• Range (FPA) : –9.9 ° to +9.9 °

1 click = 0.1 °

• One rotation corresponds to 32 clicks. One complete rotation sets:

• FPA = 3.2 °
• V/S = 1 600 ft/min

• pushes in the V/S or FPA knob, commands an immediate level-off (v/s = 0 or FPA is
nulled)
 VERTICAL CONTROL AREA (Cont.)
APPR PB
• To arms, disarms, engages, or disengages the approach modes:
o LOC and G/S modes, if an ILS approach is selected in the active F-PLN.
o APP NAV-FINAL modes, if a NPA is selected in the active F-PLN.
THRUST LEVERS
 PFD
The FMGS generates the following information to the PFD:
• Armed and Engaged modes on the FMA
• FMGS guidance targets on the SPD, ALT, and HDG scales
• Vertical deviation from descent profile on the ALT scale
• Approach trajectory deviations
• Flight crew awareness messages.

Refer to DSC-31_40 Indications on PFD

 ND
The FMGS generates the following information, displayed on ND
• Flight plan (active secondary, temporary, dashed)
• Aircraft position and lateral deviation from the flight plan
• Pseudo-waypoints along the flight plan
• Raw data from tuned Navaids and type of selected approach
• Various display options (waypoints, Navaids, NDBs, airports,
constraints)
• Wind information and various messages.
ARC MODE
PLAN MODE
ROSE MODES
FLIGHT PLAN DISPLAY COLORS