Auto Pilot-Flight Director-Auto Thrust

Question 1

How many autopilots does the A320 have?

Answer 1

Two: AP1 and AP2 — typically one is active, both during dual-channel autoland

Question 2

What does the Flight Director (FD) do?

Answer 2

Provides lateral and vertical guidance cues on the PFD

Question 3

When do the FD bars appear?

Answer 3

When FD is turned ON and autopilot is OFF

Question 4

What is the Auto Thrust (A/THR) system’s primary function?

Answer 4

Adjusts thrust automatically to maintain speed or thrust mode target

Question 5

When is A/THR automatically activated?

Answer 5

When thrust levers are in CLB detent and system is armed

Question 6

What are the basic A/THR modes?

Answer 6

Speed/Mach mode (adjusts to maintain selected speed) and thrust mode (e.g., TOGA, FLEX, IDLE)

Question 7

How is A/THR armed?

Answer 7

When thrust levers are set to TOGA or FLEX during takeoff — indicated by A/THR in white on FMA

Question 8

How is A/THR activated in flight?

Answer 8

By moving thrust levers to CLB detent if A/THR is armed

Question 9

What happens when A/THR is active and levers are in CLB?

Answer 9

Thrust is controlled automatically; pilots monitor FMA for mode

Question 10

What does “THR CLB” on the FMA mean?

Answer 10

Thrust mode: climb thrust is being commanded

Question 11

What does “SPEED” on the FMA mean?

Answer 11

Speed mode: A/THR is adjusting to maintain selected speed or Mach

Question 12

When is A/THR automatically disconnected?

Answer 12

Engaging reverse thrust, dual engine failure, or system fault

Question 13

How do you manually disconnect A/THR?

Answer 13

By pressing A/THR instinctive disconnect button (red), or moving thrust levers out of CLB detent

Question 14

What is the function of the ATHR instinctive disconnect button?

Answer 14

Disengages A/THR; double press disables system for entire flight

Question 15

What is the thrust lever detent order from full forward to idle?

Answer 15

TOGA – FLEX/MCT – CL – IDLE – MAX REV/FULL REV

Question 16

What are common autopilot engagement criteria?

Answer 16

At least one FD ON, two operational ADIRUs, valid nav data, and aircraft within autopilot engagement envelope

Question 17

What’s the minimum height for autopilot engagement after takeoff?

Answer 17

100 ft AGL (above 5 seconds after liftoff)

Question 18

When must autopilot be disengaged during approach?

Answer 18

160 ft AGL (non-precision), 200 ft (precision), unless autoland

Question 19

Can both APs be engaged at once?

Answer 19

Yes — typically during CAT II/III autoland

Question 20

What happens when both APs are engaged?

Answer 20

Dual-channel mode for autoland; aircraft flies precise localizer and glideslope with redundancy

Question 21

What are the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA) columns?

Answer 21

Auto thrust, vertical mode, lateral mode, approach capability, autopilot/FD status

Question 22

What does “MAN THR” on the FMA mean?

Answer 22

Pilots must manually adjust thrust

Question 23

What is “SRS” mode?

Answer 23

Speed Reference System — used for takeoff/climb or go-around to command safe pitch for target speed

Question 24

What is “ALT*” mode?

Answer 24

Captures selected altitude with vertical speed reduction

Question 25

What is the meaning of “LAND” or “FLARE” on FMA?

Answer 25

Indicates autoland or automatic flare mode is active