INTRODUCTION

Description of the auto flight system. Flight management and guidance system or FMGS
is laid out in volume 1 of the flight crew operating manual
It provides
a. Performance optimization b fight predictions
c. provides information to the display units
d. controls the autopilots Flight directors e. auto thrust
comprised of two flight management and guidance computers or FMGC
FMGS pilots guide - volume 4
Volume 1
contains a general description of the
system and outlines the various
functions
Volume 4
is devoted to the flight management guidance system operation and pilot interfaces.
Normal and abnormal procedures
will be covered in FTD and simulator
sessions
The A320 flight management guidance system
Provides functions for a. Navigation
b. Latera
c. Vertical fight planning
To multipurpose control and display units or MCDU when flight control unit or FCU and two flight
augmentation computers or FAC
MCDU 1 and 2
- are located on the pedestal and are used to interface with the FMGC for flight plant construction,
monitoring and revision
The MCDU also allows access to other aircraft systems, such as ACARS and Maiden's test and
reporting functions
Fight Control Unit Or FCU -located on the glare shield, has controls for short-term pilots selected
guidance and controls for the autopilot and auto thrust functions,
The FMGC display flight guidance and navigation data on the two primary flight displays or PFD
and the two navigation displays or nav displays or ND, the PFD and nay displays are controlled
through their respective electronic flight. instrument system control panel EFIS panel located on the
glare shield.
Thrust Lovers
are the main interface between the pilot and the thrust control system. When the auto thrust is active,
engine thrust is set by the FMGS through the full authority digital engine control or FADEC. The
thrust levers act only as thrust rating limiters and do not move as engine thrust varies
There are two types of guidance possible within the auto flight system: a. Managed Guidance the
aircraft is guided by the FMGS. along a pre-planned route with
lateral, vertical and speed profile
computations.
b. Selected Guidance
is short-term guidance selected by the pilot through the flight control unit Selected guidance always
has priority over managed guidance.
The two-flight management and guidance computers, each have two main sections:
a. Flight Management Section controls the functions of navigation, which includes position
computation and the automatic tuning of required navigation radios, flight planning. which includes
lateral and vertical functions. The prediction and optimization of performance and
You sent
management of the primary flight navigation and MCDU display.
b. Flight Guidance Section ⚫ controls the functions of the autopilot the flight director and the auto
thrust.
Abbreviations
1. FMGS-Flight Management and Guidance System
2 FMGC-Flight Management and Guidance Computers
3. FTD-Flight Training Devices 4. MCDU-Multipurpose Control and
Display Units 5. FCU-Flight Control Unit
6. FAC-Flight Augmentation Computers

7. ACARS-Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System

8. PFD-Primary Fight Display
9. ND-Navigation Display
10.EFIS-Electronic Flight Instrument System
11, FADEC-Full Authority Digital Engine Control

FMGC

Each FMGC has a self-contained database which has two fields: a. 1 Field

is not modifiable by the pilot, contains navigation data for company routes, waypoints airways, holding
patterns, airports, runways, airport procedures, navaids, fuel policy and altemates. This field is
customized to suit the individual airline. It is usually updated every 28 days

b. Second Smaller Field allows the pilot to temporarily enter and store up to 20 way points, 10 runways,
20 navalds and 3 routes. The FMGC also has an integrated performance database used by the flight
management section to compute predictions, which is not accessible by the airline or

pilot. The FMGS has three modes of

operation: a. Dual

b. Independent

c. Single

When operating in the normal dual mode, the two FMGC, each perform their own computations and
exchange

data on a cross-talkbus

Data entered into either MCDU is transferred to both FMGC and all peripherals.

in the event that one MCDU fails, all data is retained in the other

The FMGS operates in the decorated and dependent mode, when there is a major mismatch and
database or program compatibility, between the two FMGC

When this occurs both FMGC is work independently and control only their on-site peripherals..

A Message In Amber stating independent operation comes up on both MCDU scratch pads

Any entry on one MCDU is transmitted only to its respective FMGC. In order to get similar flight director
autopilot orders, identical entries must be made on both MCDU

The FMGS operates in degraded single mode as one FMGC fails. When. this occurs, the MCDU menu
page appears, with an FMGC time out message

FMGC Function Prompt

is selected, the MCDU screen returns with a message opposite FMGC in process, the remaining FMGC
controls all peripherals and both MCDU control or display data from the remaining FMGC.

The nav display, associated with a failed FMGC, must be set to the same range and mode, as the
opposite nav display, otherwise a message, not available and select offside range mode is displayed.

MCDU
MCDU Menu Key

access the MCDU menu index page, which has prompts for

selecting the available subsystems. To access the FMGC, press the line select key, to the left of the FMGC
prompt. The aircraft integrated data system and the centralized fault display system are normally
maintenance subsystems

MCDU Screen

is capable of displaying up to 14 lines with up to 24 characters in each line. The first line is the current
page title, the next 12 lines are alternatively a label line. followed by a data field line, each label line
names the dead of field line displayed directly below it.

The last line on the screen is the scratchpad light. FMGC generated messages are displayed here as well
as characters typed by the plot on the alphanumeric keyboard.

Data typed into the scratchpad is loaded into the appropriate data field by pressing the adjacent line
select key

The referencing of the line select keys is one left to 6 ieh for the left hand side and one right to 6 right for
the right hand side

The MODU displays data in two font sizes and in various colors.

Title Line

is displayed in large font usually in white Label lines are displayed in small white font. Pilot entered and
modifiable data in data fields is displayed in large blue font. The FMGS computed or nonmodifiable data
is displayed in green font Data in the scratchpad is in large font, Amber boxes indicate the data insertion
is mandatory: Blue brackets indicate the dead insertion is possible, but not mandatory

Clear Key

is used to erase FMGC messages and pliot entered data from the scratch pad or to clear data in data
fields. To clear FMGC messages in the scratch pad, clear key pressed is pressed once.

To clear pilot, enter data in scratch pad, pressing the clear key once will erase the last character

entered Pressing it for three seconds will clear all of the text in the scratch pad:

To clear data in data field, the clear key is pressed once to enunciate. clear in the scratch pad, then the
adjacent lights select key is pressed to clear the data from the field. Press the clear key, then lines select
3 left to clear catch from the flight plan.

The FMGS displaced information on the MCDU using three different page types, which are accessed in
various ways

a first type displacing prompt of two vertical arrows, in the lower right comer of the display, when the
Information is too long to fit within the screen. Scrolling page up or down, line by line is accomplished
using the two slew keys.
b. second type displays a horizontal arrow prompt in the top right corner of the page when information
is displayed on two consecutive pages. Pressing the next page key will sequence the pages.

e third type displays a carriage or

star of prompt. When successive pages containing different types of information are available. Pressing
the line select key adjacent to the prompt will access the required. page

Page Keys

when press display the associated page required for access to flight management functions in
computations and data entry

The page keys and some special function keys are briefly summarized in the following screens complete
coverage is found in the FMGS pilot's guide volume 4.

INIT Key

access is the flight plan initialization A page, which is only available during the pre-flight phase. The pilot
uses this page to ensure a company routing or city pair routing, the flight number and to align the
inertial reference system. Once a routing is entered, the originating airport, latitude and longitude are
displayed. Included on this page by data fields

to enter the alternate airport, fight number, cost index, the initial cruise altitude with planned outside air
temperature and the tropopause altitude. There is also a prompt to access the wind history page, which
allows the pilot to view and enter if desired, the recorded wind at various flight levels during the last late
descent.

In the upright corner of the INITA page is an error which indicates that the next page is available. Touch
the next page key to access the Annette B

The initialization B page has two mandatory data fields to complete a D fuel weight b. block fuel on
board.

Remaining Data Fields are computed by the FMGC and if shown in blue font can be modified by the pilot
The innate B page is not available 15 seconds after the first engine start.

Flight Plan Key Access

is the flight pian A page, containing a late by late description of the active primary fight plan, with time
speed, and altitude predictions.

a. top line is the front way point b. second line is the two way point, which is always displayed in white.

Destination Airport

at the bottom of the screen is also displayed in white. Now the slew prompt arrows in the bottom right
comer of the page. Since this page is too long to fit

onto the screen. The up and down

slew key are used to scroll through the flight Touch the slew key, to scroll the
flight plan one line.

Next Page Prompt

In the top right corner of the page, indicating that another page is available Pressing the next page key

Access is the flight Plan B page, which displays FMGC computed fuel predictions and interpolated winds
at

each way point It is possible to enter forecast on route winds into the data fields using the right hand line
select keys

Pressing the airport key jumps to the last page of the fight plan where the destination airport is shown as
the last

way point Successive pushes of the airport key will display the alternate airport than the destination
airport.

Again pushing the key before take-off will include the originating airport in the sequence, touch the
airport key to continue.

Direct Key (DIR)

accesses the direct 2 page, which allows the flight plan to be modified by proceeding from the present
position, direct to and way point.

A pair of blue brackets is displayed at line 1 left. The new way point can be typed into the scratch pad
Been entered using a line select key one left or it can be selected directly from within the body of the
current flight plan by pressing the line select key adjacent to the desired waypoint

Touch the lines select key 3 left to proceed direct to catch.

Overfly Key

is used to allow the aircraft to overfly a selected waypoint normally the aircraft does not play directly
over waypoint to avoid overshooting the next leg. especially when a large tramp change is required. If
required to overfly away point, the overfly key is pressed once to display an overfly triangle in the scratch
pad Then the line select key adjacent to the waypoint to be overflown is pressed to insert the triangle at
the selected way point

Prog Key

access is the progress page corresponding to the current active phase of fight. This page displays the
cruise optimum and recommended maximum flight levels. The FMGS bearing and distance to any
airport, waypoint. navaid or runway. can be checked by entering his position into the bracket. As well,
the FMGC position can be updated if required. The bottom of the page, which will be covered later,
indicates whether the navigational accuracy of the FMGS is higher or low and displays the autotune or
manually tune to VOR stations. Autotune VOR are displayed in small blue font and manually tune VOR
displayed in large blue font, in the descent phase, descent monitoring information is also available.

PERF key
accesses the performance page corresponding to the current active phase of flight. The current flight
phase is displayed with a green page title

The various flight phases can be accessed by selecting the next or previous prompts, other flight phases
have a white page title:

The performance pages available

a take-off b. climb

c. cruise

d. descent

e approach go around

These pages display the calculated optimum speeds or month number along with other predictions and
information. Once a flight face has already been flown, that performance page is no longer available

DATA Key

cause of the DATA index page. which allows access to various reference pages. The pages available from
1 to 4 left allow for review of database way points, navaids, runways and routes and are not modifiable
by the pilot Lines one right to four right, allow the creation and review of pilot stored waypoints, ravaids,
runways and routes. Line 5 right is the aircraft position monitor, which displays FMGC computed aircraft

position Line 5 left selects the aircraft status page, which gives the validity period of the active and
secondary databases.

On the ground. The secondary database can be selected as the active database if required. However,
pilots are cautioned never cycle the databases in flight as all flight plans and stored data will be erased,

RAD NAV Key

accesses the radio navigation page. This page displays the navaids that have been tuned automatically
through the FMGC and allows the crew to manually tune navigation aids and enter the required courses.
When tuning manually and to the ident, rather than the frequency if the navaids is in the database
manually tuned navaids are displayed in large blue font

Fuel Predict Key

accesses the fuel prediction page, this page displays the fuel predicted to be remaining at destination
and at the alternate along with other fuel management data.

After the first engine has been started. If advised of a change to the gross weight and C of G, the updated
information will have to be entered on this page since access to the NFB page is not available 15 seconds
after the first engine has been started

Secondary Flight Plan Key

accesses the secondary flight plan index page. The secondary flight plan is normally constructed. starting
with a copy of the active flight plan then modifying it to prepare for, for example possible runway
changes or in route

diversions there are prompts to copy the active flight plan into the secondary flight plan to access and
modify the secondary flight plan to delete the secondary flight plan and to activate the secondary flight
plan as the active flight plan..

MCDU Scratchpad

will also display specific messages generated by the FMGC, Higher priority messages are displayed in
amber and cover navigation messages, data entry errors and data display repeat messages

Write messages are advisory only. Messages can be cleared using the clear key. A list of all MCDU
messages is contained in the FMGS pilots guide, volume 4, chapter 3, MCDU messages

There are three annunciators located on the left and right side of the MCDU keyboard.

a. The tale annunciator displayed amber indicates that the MCDU unit has failed.

b. The MCDU menu annunciator displayed in white, request that the pilot call up a system that is linked

to the MCDU. Such as ACARS or the centralized vault display

system. The FMGC Annunciator

c. illuminates when the crew is using one of the other peripherals, such as ACARS and the FMGC has an
important message to deliver. To

display the message in the scratchpad the crew must return to the FMGS display by pressing the MCDU
menu key followed by line select key adjacent to the FMGC prompt

Brightness Knob

controls the brightness of the MCDU display, but does not allow the MCDU to be switched off

To review the various MCDU screen prompts include an arrow in the upper right comer, indicating that
the next page is available using the next page key.

Up and down arrows in the bottom right comer. Indicate the data on the screen is too long for the
display and can scrolled up or down using the slew keys

Left or right carrots indicate another page may be selected using the adjacent lights light key. Amber
boxes to indicate mandatory data entry Data lines for entry of data by FMGC or pilot. Square brackets
indicate the dead insertion is possible, but not

mandatory An arrow adjacent to alliance select key indicates pressing the associated lines select key will
activate the prompt or select data

Abbreviations
1. ECAM-Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor

2. VOR-VHF Omnidirectional Radio

Range

3, IOS-IPhone Operating System

FCU

Flight Control Unit Or FCU located on the glare shield can be broken down into three separate control
areas with their own selector knobs, display windows and in the lateral and vertical areas, model
engagement push buttons. There are also three additional pushbutton switches for the autopilots and
auto

thrust. allows two types of guidance selected or managed:

a. Selected Or Short-Term Guidance

is selected by turning the control knob to set the desired value in the display window. Then pulling out
on the control knob - always has priority over managed

guidance.

b. Managed Guidance

which gives contral to the FMGS is engaged by pushing in on a controll knob

the display window associated with that mode displays dashes and the white managed dot next to the
window laminates

Speed Mark Selector Knob

- turn will set the selected speed or mock and when the knob is pulled will select the desired speed or
mock.

PFD Speed Scale

-displays the target speed as a blue triangle. In selected speed, the switching of a speed target to a mock
target and vice versa is automatic

However, the speed mark pushbutton allows the pilot to select speed or mock at his option When the
speed mock selector knob is pushed in managed speed is engaged indicated by a dash line in the display
window) and the illumination of the managed speed marked dot. The PFD speed

scale displays the target speed as a magenta triangle.

Heading Selector Knob when turned and pulled, is used to set a selected heading. This is indicated as
heading in the lateral

mode column of the FMA.

when pushed in, arms are engaged as managed nav mode. On the FMA manage nav armed is indicated
in the lateral mode column second line by the LED trench nav in blue and the managed lateral dot
illuminates on the FCU

When managed, lateral nav engages nav appears in FMA and green and dashes are displayed in the
heading window of the FCU

Pushing the localizer push-button arms engages or disengages the. localizer only. The green light in the
push button illuminates and when armed log appears in blue on the second line of the FMA when
engaged log appears in green.
Vertical Speed Selector Knob when turned. Sets vertical speed value into the display window, the vertical
speed range is from -5000 feet per minute to plus 6000 feet per

minute, in 100 ft incorrect/cent -Pulling out on the selector knob that engages vertical speed mode. The.
FAA displays vertical speed in green, with the set vertical speed value in blue, caution it is possible to
select vertical speed without having first armed in lower altitude

Pushing in on the vertical speed selector knob will engage a vertical speed of 0, the FMA vertical mode
column will display vertical speed 0. and the vertical speed window on the FCU will display 0

Heading Vertical Speed Track Flight Path Angle Push-Button

is used to change the heading reference, to track reference in the FCU heading track window and vertical
speed reference to flight path angle reference in the FCU vertical. speed flight path angle window.

-Touch the heading vertical speed, track flight path angle, push button

The flight path angle range is from 9.9 degrees to plus 9.9 degrees in 1 degree increments. The PFD flight
director indications also changed from the pitch and roll cross bar display to the flight path director flight
path vector display.

Track Flight Path Angle

is normally used for non-precision approaches that are not stored in the database.

Altitude Selector

has an inner and an outer knob the, outer knob has two positions 100 and 1000. When set to 100, the
inner knob changes the altitude setting in increments of 100 feet It is normally used in the terminal area.
When set to 1000, the altitude setting changes in increments of 1000 feet.

- Once a new altitude has been set. If the knob is pulled out, the aircraft will. start an immediate
unrestricted open climb or open descent Depending on whether the new altitude is above or below the
current altitude. Open climb or open descent is annunciated in the second column of the FMA and a
blue alt armed indication is displayed below it.

New Setting

is also displayed on the PFD altitude scale

Managed Navigation

if the altitude selector novice pushed in The managed dot illuminates and the aircraft immediately
begins a managed climb or managed descent, again, depending on whether the new altitude is above or
below the current altitude.
All vertical constraints contained in the MCDU flight plan are considered, climb or descent is annunciated
on the FMA

Alt Armed Indication

is displayed in blue because the first vertical constraint altitude must be said in the FCU altitude window.

FCU Window

is never blank and always displays the value set by the pilot.

Expedite Push Button

is pressed to engage the expedite mode of climb or descent. The green light in the push button
illuminates and expedite climb or the expedite descent is annunciated on the FMA Expedite mode is a
temporary open mode and orders the aircraft to climb at green dot speed, the best lift to drag ratio
speed if the FCU altitude: is set into an altitude higher than present aircraft altitude or to descend at 340
knots mock 80 if the FCU altitude is set to an altitude lower than present aircraft altitude. Expedite mode
is further explained later in this module.

Approach Push Button

is used to harm the localizer and glide slope modes if an OS approach is selected in the active

fight plan. -The approach push button also engages the approach nav final mode. If a non-precision
approach is selected in the active flight plan

The green light illuminates in the push button, when armed, glide slope and loc appear on the FMA in
blue for an 30S approach and final approach nav in blue for a managed non-precision approach. The
indications turn green as each mode engages

Autopilot 1 And Autopilot 2. Push Buttons

-are used to engage or disengage the autopilot functions

While they can also be used to: disengage the autopilots, the standard procedure used to disengage the
autopilot is to press the takeover push button on the side stick

The autopilot push button light illuminates in green when the autopilot is engaged and the fifth column
of the FMA displays autopilot in white

-Only one autopilot can be engaged at a time, except that when the ILS approach mode is armed or
engaged, those autopilots may be engaged

Auto Thrust Push Button

is used to arm, activate or disconnect the auto thrust. Although the standard procedure used to
disconnect the auto thrust is by pressing the instinctive disconnect pushbutton on the thrust levers or by
setting both thrust levers to the isle detent
The auto thrust push-button light eliminates green when the auto thrust is either armed or active The
fifth column of the FMA shows auto thrust in blue when armed and in white when active

Pressing the ECAM meter selector push button Displays the present FCU target altitude on the lower
ECAM display in meters.

The altitude value displayed in the FCU altitude window is always displayed in feet regardless of the push
button selection.