Understand the FMA at all times

Disclaimer: 

▪︎This content is Not an official document and does not represent the views of Airbus or any other aviation authority.

▪︎The information provided may be incorrect or misinterpreted and should not be relied upon for decision-making. 

▪︎Always refer to official documents and consult with a qualified aviation professional before making any decisions based on the information provided in this blog post.

▪︎The information provided in this blog post is based on personal study and review.

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Understand the FMA at all times. 

 

One of Airbus' golden rules is "Understand the FMA at all times" I've seen several cases where deviations in flight occurred because pilots were not paying attention to the FMAs. Additionally, sometimes, we can see the company's bulletin has been posted as a solution or mitigation measure for these incidents and deviations in flights.



So have you ever wondered where the autothrust column was?

Can you instantly answer in which column of the FMA the vertical and lateral modes are displayed?

It is something pilots see most of the time during flights and call out FMA changes at all times.

But it was an alarming experience when someone asked where the vertical mode was located and what column it was.

and I could not answer.

It was something we always see during the flight, so I think I did not care about the exact position, but instead, I was just reading the changes of FMA rather than the exact meaning of the FMA itself.

 

 

 

FMA DISPLAYS

COLUMN

In FCOM flight Guidance part, we can see the description of the FMA display.

A320 FMA display (autobrake is optional)

 

The FMA is located on the upper part of the PFD, and displays the following information, associated to flight guidance:
‐ A/THR messages and modes 

‐ AP/FD modes (Vertical, Lateral, Common) 

‐ Approach and landing capability 

‐ AP, FD, and A/THR engagement status 

‐ Special Messages 

‐ Autobrake modes. (optional) 

 

So looking into the answer that i have been asked. 

the first column is the autothrust, second column is the AP/FD Vertical Modes, Third Column is the AP/FD Lateral modes, Fourth coulumn is Approach and Landing capability,  and the last column is AP, FD, A/THR Engagement status. 

 

so the first three column shows the modes of Autothrust and vertical lateral modes, while the last column shows either the autopilot and flight directors and autothrust engagement status. 

 

 

LINE

 

there are 3 lines in FMA ,

Line 1 usually displays engaged modes for AP/FD, A/THR, and line 2 is armed modes for column 1,2,3. 

 

In Line 3, there are lot of information available such as special messages, "more drag, decelerate... ",, etc . 

(we can find more special messages in FCOM. )

In column 1, line 3. there are autothrust FMA that we might want to look closely. 

 

LVR ASYM

LVR ASYM

 

LVR CLB

LVR CLM

 

     THR TOGA,

 

THR TOGA

 

 

LVR MCT

LVR MCT

 

LVR MCT is the one we always see in simulator training.

when there is an engine failure BELOW THRUST-REDUCTION (THR RED) ALTITUDE. 

BELOW THRUST-REDUCTION (THR RED) ALTITUDE

 

According to the FCOM, "LVR MCT" flashes on the FMA, when the aircraft is clean and has reached Green Dot speed.

According to FCTM, when the speed trend arrow reaches the Green dot speed, Pull the Alt Knob to engage OP CLM, and set the thrust levers to MCT when the LVR MCT message flashes on the FMA. 

 LVR MCT will flash when the speed index reaches green dot speed, so pilot pulls the ALT knob first and then LVR MCT when the speed index reaches Green Dot. (when LVR MCT flashes) .

FCTM

 

 

 

remember in this scenario "LVR MCT" flashing is before the activation of the autothrust

(BELOW THRUST-REDUCTION (THR RED) ALTITUDE)

 

 

A/THR ACTIVATION CONDITIONS

 

LVR MCT (WHEN THE A/THR IS ACTIVE)

 

 

 

 

TCAS AP/FD INDICATION ON FMA

TCAS (ARMED) shows on line 3 in Column 2, and TCAS (ENGAGED) will show Line 1, Column 2. 

TCAS (ARMED)

 

TCAS(ENGAGED)

https://320study.tistory.com/24

Autopilot AP/FD TCAS mode

 

 

 

AP/FD modes - scenario examples

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