A320 - Autoflight System (FCU - Flight Control Unit) PART 2
Summary
TLDRThis module provides an in-depth look at the functions and controls of the Flight Control Unit (FCU) used in aircraft operations. It covers key aspects like speed, lateral, and vertical control, as well as the use of autopilot and auto thrust. The video explains the difference between the selected and managed modes, how pilots interact with the FCU, and the various knobs and buttons that control flight parameters. It also touches on specific features like the localizer, approach, and expedite push buttons, which play crucial roles during flight.
Takeaways
- 😀 The Flight Control Unit (FCU) is crucial for controlling various flight parameters including speed, lateral, and vertical control, as well as autopilot and autothrust selection.
- 🔄 The FCU operates in two modes: Selected Mode, where the pilot actively selects flight parameters, and Managed Mode, where the aircraft is controlled by pre-set parameters in the Flight Management Guidance Computer (FMGC).
- 📍 In Selected Mode, pilots activate by pulling the desired knob, while in Managed Mode, they push the knobs to let the computer control the flight according to parameters input through the Multipurpose Control Display Unit (MCDU).
- ✈️ The Altitude window always shows the altitude set by the crew, and the knob can be used to set altitude in increments that can be adjusted from 100 feet to 1000 feet.
- 🔢 The Speed Mock Control area includes a window, a speed mark push button, and a speed mark selector knob, allowing the pilot to set and display the aircraft's speed.
- 🔄 The Heading Track Selector knob functions by pulling to display current heading, turning to change the heading track, and pushing to return to LNAV (Lateral Navigation).
- 🔄 The Heading Vertical Speed Track Flight Path Angle push button switches the reference from heading vertical speed to track flight path angle, adjusting the display and flight director accordingly.
- 🔼 The Vertical area is divided into altitude and vertical speed/flight path angle controls, with the altitude control allowing the aircraft to return to a pre-planned vertical profile or disregard it for manual input.
- ⏫⏬ The Vertical Speed Flight Path Angle knob controls level off commands when pushed, selects vertical speed or flight path angle when pulled, and changes these values when turned.
- 🔑 Additional FCU push buttons include Localizer for tracking a localizer, Approach for ILS acquisition, and Expedite for maximum rate climb or descent, showcasing the unit's comprehensive control over flight dynamics.
Q & A
What is the primary function of the Flight Control Unit (FCU)?
-The FCU is used for speed mock control, lateral control, vertical control, autopilot and/or auto thrust selection.
How many different operation modes can the FCU system be operated in?
-The FCU system can be operated in two different modes: Selected Mode and Managed Mode.
What does the pilot need to do in the Selected Mode?
-In the Selected Mode, the pilot must continuously select how he wants the airplane to fly, including speed, heading, and vertical speed.
How can the pilot activate the Selected Mode?
-To activate the Selected Mode, the pilot pulls the desired knob outward.
What happens in the Managed Mode in terms of airplane control?
-In the Managed Mode, the computers control the airplane according to parameters previously input into the FMGC through the MCDU.
Why are the speed and heading windows filled with dashes in the Managed Mode?
-The windows are filled with dashes because the FMGC is controlling speed and lateral navigation, and the pilot is not manually selecting these parameters.
What is the purpose of the speed mark selector knob in the speed mock control area?
-The speed mark selector knob controls several functions, including displaying the current aircraft speed and setting a speed in the window.
How does the heading track selector knob function?
-The heading track selector knob can be pulled to display the present aircraft heading, turned to change the heading track, or pushed to allow the aircraft to return to LNAV.
What is the use of the heading vertical speed track flight path angle push button?
-The push button is used to change the reference from heading vertical speed to track flight path angle.
How does the altitude window function in the vertical area?
-The altitude window always shows the altitude set by the crew and can be changed by turning, pushing, or pulling the altitude selector knob.
What is the purpose of the metric altitude push button?
-The metric altitude push button is used to display the selected altitude in meters on the permanent data section of the ECAM system display.
What does the Localizer push button do?
-The Localizer push button is used to acquire and track a localizer, with green lights indicating when the function is engaged.
What is the function of the Approach push button?
-The Approach push button enables the acquisition and tracking of an ILS localizer and glideslope, and can also be used to apply a non-precision approach in the approach NAV mode.
What command does the Expedite push button give?
-The Expedite push button commands a maximum rate climb or a maximum speed descent, adjusting the aircraft's pitch and speed accordingly.
What are the additional push buttons on the FCU for?
-The additional push buttons on the FCU are for autopilot and auto thrust features, which will be discussed in more detail in specific modules.
Outlines
🛫 Flight Control Unit Functions Overview
This paragraph introduces the Flight Control Unit (FCU) and its primary functions, which include speed and mode control, lateral and vertical control, autopilot, and auto thrust selection. It explains the two operational modes of the system: selected mode, where the pilot actively chooses the flight parameters, and managed mode, where the Flight Management and Guidance Computer (FMGC) controls the aircraft based on pre-set parameters. The FCU features various controls such as the speed mark selector, heading track selector, and push buttons for altitude and vertical speed adjustments. The paragraph also covers the altitude setting process, the use of speed and mock indicators, and the transition between heading vertical speed and track flight path angle modes.
📊 Vertical Navigation and Control Features
The second paragraph delves into the vertical control aspects of the FCU, focusing on altitude and vertical speed or flight path angle settings. It describes the altitude window's function, which always displays the crew-set altitude and can revert to the pre-planned vertical profile when activated. The paragraph explains the dual functionality of the altitude selector knob, with an inner ring for setting altitude and an outer ring for adjusting altitude increments. Additionally, it covers the use of the vertical speed or flight path angle knob, which can command a level off, select a vertical speed or flight path angle, and change these settings. The paragraph also touches on the approach phase, demonstrating how to set and display flight path angles and vertical speeds, and concludes with a brief mention of other FCU push buttons, such as the localizer, approach, and expedite buttons, as well as a note on the autopilot and auto thrust features to be discussed in later modules.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Flight Control Unit (FCU)
💡Selected Mode
💡Managed Mode
💡FMGC
💡Altitude
💡Speed Mock Control
💡Heading Track Selector
💡Vertical Speed
💡Flight Path Angle
💡Autopilot and Auto Thrust
Highlights
The Flight Control Unit (FCU) is essential for speed, lateral, and vertical control, as well as autopilot and auto thrust selection.
The FCU can operate in two modes: Selected Mode and Managed Mode, each with different pilot responsibilities.
In Selected Mode, pilots continuously select flight parameters such as speed, heading, and vertical speed.
The Managed Mode allows the computer to control the airplane based on pre-set parameters through the FMGC and MCDU.
The Altitude window always displays the crew-set altitude and uses an inner and outer ring for altitude setting and increment changes.
Speed Mock Control includes a window, a speed mark push button, and a selector knob for setting and displaying current aircraft speed.
The Heading Track Selector knob allows for displaying current heading, changing heading track, and returning to LNAV.
The Heading Vertical Speed Track Flight Path Angle Push Button changes the reference from heading vertical speed to track flight path angle.
In Track Flight Path Angle mode, the flight director display on the PFD changes accordingly to reflect the new reference.
The Vertical Speed Flight Path Angle knob controls level off commands, vertical speed or flight path angle selection, and changes in these parameters.
The Altitude selector knob can be pushed for a return to pre-planned vertical profile or pulled for disregarding it.
The Metric Altitude Push Button displays the selected altitude in meters on the ECAM system display.
Approach phase demonstration shows the use of vertical speed by path angle and the corresponding changes on the FCU.
The Localizer Push Button is used for acquiring and tracking a localizer, indicated by green lights when engaged.
The Approach Push Button enables ILS localizer and glideslope tracking, and non-precision approach application in approach nav mode.
The Expedite Push Button commands maximum rate climb or descent with specific speed and thrust settings.
Autopilot and Auto Thrust features are controlled by dedicated push buttons on the FCU and will be detailed in specific modules.
Transcripts
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
let's look specifically at the functions
and controls of the flight control unit
which is the subject of this module
the fcu is used for
speed mock control
lateral control
vertical control
autopilot and or auto thrust selection
let's take a closer look at these
controls
the system can be operated in two
different ways in the selected mode or
in the managed mode
in the selected mode the pilot must
continuously select how he wants the
airplane to fly speed heading vertical
speed
when in selected mode numbers will
appear in the windows under speed
heading etc
to activate the selected mode the pilot
pulls the desired knob outward
in the managed mode the computers
control the airplane according to
parameters previously input into the
fmgc through the mcdu
because the fmgc is controlling speed
and lateral navigation etc those windows
are closed meaning they are filled with
dashes
to activate the managed mode the pilot
simply pushes the appropriate knobs
the altitude window is never dashed
because the pilot must always set the
cleared altitude standard ual procedure
governs the setting of altitude
notice that the knob actually has two
different selectors an inner ring is
used to set the altitude in the window
an outer ring is used to change the
altitude increments
the knob increment goes from 100 feet
not too sensitive to 1000 feet very
sensitive
let's start with the speed mock control
area it comprises a window
a speed mark push button
and a speed mark selector knob
the speed mark selector controls several
functions this is common to all
selectors found on the fcu
when you pull the speed knob the speed
shown in the window is the current
aircraft speed
you can set a speed in the window by
rotating the selector knob the selected
speed is displayed in the window
if you push the knob the dashes you see
in the window mean that the airplane is
now in the manage speed mode and is
following the pre-planned performance
profile
the current aircraft speed can be
indicated in either speed or mock by
pushing the speed mark push button
the current selection is clearly
indicated by a speed or mock legend on
the display
the heading track selector knob also has
several functions it can be pulled
turned or pushed
if you pull it the present aircraft
heading will appear in the window
if you turn it the heading track will
change
if you push it it will allow the
aircraft to return to lnav
the heading vertical speed track flight
path angle push button is used to change
the reference from heading vertical
speed to track flight path angle
the current selection is clearly marked
by heading vertical speed on the fcu
display
change heading vertical speed to track
flight path angle
heading vertical speed legends have now
been replaced by a track flight path
angle legends and the current heading
has changed to the current track
when in the track flight path angle mode
there is a corresponding change in the
flight director display on the pfd
we will now look at the vertical area
the vertical area is divided into two
parts the first one relates to altitude
the second one to vertical speed flight
path angle
let's look at altitude first
the altitude window always shows the
altitude set by the crew
this knob can also be turned pushed or
pulled if you push it the aircraft will
return to the pre-planned vertical
profile or v-nav
if you pull it the pre-planned vertical
profile is disregarded
by turning the altitude selector knob
the setting in the window changes
this knob is actually two different
selectors
an inner ring is used to set the
altitude in the window
an outer ring to change the altitude
increment from 100 feet to 1000 feet
we have already seen the metric altitude
push button in the eis chapter
we will just remind you that this push
button is used to display the selected
altitude written in meters on the
permanent data section of the ecam
system display
the vertical speed flight path angle
knob can also be turned pushed or pulled
when pushed it commands a level off when
pulled it selects a vertical speed or
flight path angle
when turned it changes the vertical
speed or flight path angle
however if it is not pushed or pulled
the window will close after 30 seconds
at this point we will go to the approach
phase to demonstrate the use of vertical
speed by path angle
we have selected track flight path angle
speed 210 knots altitude 4000 feet and
the aircraft is in the nav
mode to set a flight path angle value
you must first pull the selector knob
as soon as the vertical speed flight
path angle selector knob is pulled the
flight path angle window indicates the
current flight path angle and the
aircraft is descending
note how the three degree angle is
written and notice the minus sign
indicating a descent
a climb would be indicated by a plus
sign
now change the display to a vertical
speed by pushing the heading track
vertical speed flat path angle push
button
the window is now showing a vertical
speed notice how the minus 700 feet per
minute vertical speed is indicated
there are several other push buttons
located on the fcu let's take a brief
look at them
the localizer push button is used to
acquire and track a localizer when this
function is engaged green lights are
displayed on the push button
the approach push button enables the
acquisition and tracking of an ils
localizer and glideslope it is also used
to apply a non-precision approach in the
approach nav mode
when engaged green lights are displayed
on the push button
the expedite push button commands a
maximum rate climb or a maximum speed
descent
for climb the aircraft pitches up and
climbs at green dot speed at climb
thrust for descent the aircraft descends
at 340 knots with power at thrust idle
the last push buttons on the fcu are the
autopilot and auto thrust
autopilot and auto thrust features will
be discussed in more detail in specific
modules
[Music]
you
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