Presented by:

Lorraine de BAUDUS
Flight Operations Engineer
A320/A330/A340 Operational Standards

Erroneous Radio Altimeter (RA) Height Indication

 Introduction

• OIT/FOT 999.0034/09 for A320FAM and A330/A340

operators
• OIT/FOT 999.0035/09 for A310 and A300-600 operators

Erroneous Radio Altimeter (RA) Height Indication

The Operational Consequences
The Operational and Maintenance Recommendations
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• OIT/FOT not applicable for A380

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 2

 Content

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Radio Altimeter (RA) system

Ò The Operational Features

Ò The Architecture Features

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

Ò The Operational Consequences

Ò The Operational and Maintenance Recommendations

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Ò A380 RA System

Ò Conclusion

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 3

 Content

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Radio Altimeter (RA) system

Ò The Operational Features

Ò The Architecture Features

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

Ò The Operational Consequences

Ò The Operational and Maintenance Recommendations

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Ò A380 RA System

Ò Conclusion

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 4

 RA system – Operational Features

• Aircraft has 2 Radio Altimeters (RA) installed

• The RA provides the height of the aircraft above the

ground

• RA suppliers are:
- Collins
- Honeywell
- Thales
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Tx: RA antenna transmitter x

Rx: RA antenna receiver x

A320 aircraft family

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 5
 RA system – Operational Features

• RA height is displayed on PFD when it is less than 2500ft.

- GREEN when DH+100ft<RA<2500ft or 400ft<RA<2500ft
- AMBER when RA<DH+100ft or RA≤400ft

SPEED G/S LOC CAT3 AP1+2

DUAL 1FD2
DH 108 A/THR
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 6

 RA system – Operational Features

• RA self detected failure

NAV RA 1(2) FAULT

• Erroneous RA height indication:

NAV RA 1(2) FAULT

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 7

 RA system – Architecture Features - PFD

• Both RA sent to both PFDs

- RA1 displayed on CAPT PFD
- RA2 displayed on F/O PFD

• In case of detected failure of

one RA
- Remaining RA is displayed as
back-up
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

- Both PFDs use the same RA

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 8

 RA system - Architecture Features – AP/FD A/THR

• AP/FD and A/THR

- AP1 uses RA1 and RA2 as back-up
- AP2 uses RA2 and RA1 as back-up

RA1 RA2

AP 1 AP 2

- A/THR always uses same RA as the one used by AP engaged

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

(or master AP).

- AP1 engaged, A/THR uses RA1
- AP2 engaged, A/THR uses RA2
- AP1+2 engaged, A/THR uses same RA as RA used by master AP.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 9

 RA system - Architecture Features - FWC

• Flight Warning Computer (FWC)

- FWC1 and FWC2 use RA1 and RA2 depending on the alerts.

RA1 RA2

FWC1 FWC2
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

- All Audio Indicators (RA automatic callout, “RETARD”…) use

RA1 and RA2 as back-up

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 10

 RA system - Architecture Features - WXR Radar

• Weather Radar
- Two weather radars installed
- WXR 1 uses RA1 and RA2 as back-up
- WXR 2 uses RA2 and RA1 as back-up

RA1 RA2

WXR 1 WXR 2
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 11

 RA system – Architecture Features - TCAS

• TCAS
- One TCAS installed
- TCAS uses RA1 and RA2 as back-up

RA1 RA2

TCAS
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 12

 RA system – Architecture Features - TAWS

• TAWS (EGPWS and terrain part of the T2CAS)

- One TAWS installed
- TAWS uses RA1 only

RA1

TAWS
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 13

 Content

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Radio Altimeter (RA) system

Ò The Operational Features

Ò The architecture Features

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

Ò The Operational Consequences

Ò The Operational and Maintenance Recommendations

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Ò A380 RA System

Ò Conclusion

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 14

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences
- The RA height indication may be frozen (possibly negative)

THR IDLE FLARE CAT3 AP1+2 THR IDLE G/S LOC CAT3 AP1+2
SINGLE 1FD2 SINGLE 1FD2
A/THR A/THR
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

-6

Capt PFD F/O PFD

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 15

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences
- The RA height indication may be frozen (possibly negative)
- Discrepancy between both PFDs

THR IDLE FLARE CAT3 AP1+2 THR IDLE G/S LOC CAT3 AP1+2
SINGLE 1FD2 SINGLE 1FD2
A/THR A/THR
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

-6

Capt PFD F/O PFD

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 16

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences
- The RA height indication may be frozen (possibly negative)
- Discrepancy between both PFDs
- On the SD a pulsing ∆P advisory appears
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 17

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences
- The RA height indication may be frozen (possibly negative)
- Discrepancy between both PFDs
- On the SD a pulsing ∆P advisory appears
- Untimely TAWS alerts
- Untimely or absence of “RETARD” callout
- Untimely L/G GEAR NOT DOWN ECAM warning
- Absence or interruption of RA automatic callout
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

- Activation of the “AUTOLAND” warning light

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 18

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences (CONT’D)

- NAV mode engagement not possible after takeoff
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

-6

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 19

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences (CONT’D)

- Untimely / early engagement of the THR IDLE / LAND / FLARE
modes if the RA height is erroneous and lower than the real height

AP1+2
Engaged
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Capt PFD F/O PFD

2260

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 20

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences (CONT’D)

- Untimely / early engagement of the THR IDLE / LAND / FLARE
modes if the RA height is erroneous and lower than the real height

AP1+2
Engaged
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Capt PFD F/O PFD

1960

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 21

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences (CONT’D)

- Untimely / early engagement of the THR IDLE / LAND / FLARE
modes if the RA height is erroneous and lower than the real height
THR IDLE FLARE CAT3 AP1+2 THR IDLE G/S LOC CAT3 AP1+2
SINGLE 1FD2 AP1+2 SINGLE 1FD2
A/THR Engaged A/THR

-6
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Capt PFD
Erroneous RA F/O PFD

1400
16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 22
 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences (CONT’D)

- Untimely / early engagement of the THR IDLE / LAND / FLARE
modes if the RA height is erroneous and lower than the real height
AP1 AP1 SINGLE
AP1
SINGLE
Engaged
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Capt PFD F/O PFD

2260

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 23

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences (CONT’D)

- Untimely / early engagement of the THR IDLE / LAND / FLARE
modes if the RA height is erroneous and lower than the real height
AP1 AP1 SINGLE
AP1
SINGLE
Engaged
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Capt PFD F/O PFD

1960

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 24

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences (CONT’D)

- Untimely / early engagement of the THR IDLE / LAND / FLARE
modes if the RA height is erroneous and lower than the real height
THR IDLE FLARE CAT3 AP1 THR IDLE FLARE CAT3 AP1
SINGLE 1FD2
AP1 SINGLE 1FD2
A/THR Engaged A/THR

-6
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Capt PFD
Erroneous RA F/O PFD

1400
16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 25
 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences (CONT’D)

- No engagement of the THR IDLE / LAND / FLARE modes if the RA
height is erroneous and higher than the real height
AP1 AP1 SINGLE
AP1
SINGLE
Engaged
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Capt PFD F/O PFD

2260

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 26

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences (CONT’D)

- No engagement of the THR IDLE / LAND / FLARE modes if the RA
height is erroneous and higher than the real height
AP1 AP1 SINGLE
AP1
SINGLE
Engaged
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Capt PFD F/O PFD

1960

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 27

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational consequences (CONT’D)

- No engagement of the THR IDLE / LAND / FLARE modes if the RA
height is erroneous and higher than the real height

AP1
Engaged
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Capt PFD
Erroneous RA F/O PFD

200
16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 28
 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• A320FAM - Operational consequences in case

of erroneous and very low RA height
indication
- In CONF FULL, the high AOA autopilot disconnection is not
available. If a manual take over is not performed, the angle-
of-attack will increase and may reach the stall value.
- Loss of ALPHA FLOOR
- “SPEED SPEED SPEED” available
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

- With autopilot OFF, significant longitudinal sidestick input

may be required

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 29

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• A330 & A340 - Operational consequences in

case of erroneous and very low RA height
indication
- The high AOA autopilot disconnection is not available. If a
manual take over is not performed, the angle-of-attack will
increase and may reach the stall value.
- Loss of ALPHA FLOOR
- “SPEED SPEED SPEED” not available
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

- With autopilot OFF, significant forward longitudinal sidestick

input may be required

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 30

 Content

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Radio Altimeter (RA) system

Ò The Operational Features

Ò The Architecture Features

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

Ò The Operational Consequences

Ò The Operational and Maintenance Recommendations

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Ò A380 RA System

Ò Conclusion

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 31

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational recommendations
- During all phases of flight, flight crew must monitor and
crosscheck all PFD and FMA indications

THR IDLE FLARE CAT3 AP1+2 THR IDLE G/S LOC CAT3 AP1+2
SINGLE 1FD2 SINGLE 1FD2
A/THR A/THR
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

-6

Capt PFD F/O PFD

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 32

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational recommendations
- During Approach, in the event of any unsatisfactory
behaviour, disconnect the AP
Note: If a manual take over is not performed, the angle-of-attack will increase and
may reach the stall value depending on flight conditions

Then:
- Perform a manual landing AP/FD OFF if sufficient visual
references are available,
-
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Or perform a manual go-around. Significant longitudinal

sidestick input may be required.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 33

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Operational recommendations

Report in the logbook any of the presented

operational consequences to avoid dispatch
with erroneous RA

• New Radio Altimeter monitoring (maintenance purpose)

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

- New NAV RA DEGRADED alert

- Modification of the NAV RA FAULT existing alert.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 34

 Content

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Radio Altimeter (RA) system

Ò The Operational Features

Ò The Architecture Features

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

Ò The Operational Consequences

Ò The Operational and Maintenance Recommendations

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Ò A380 RA System

Ò Conclusion

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 35

 A380 RA system
• OIT/FOT - Erroneous RA Height Indication not applicable for the A380.
• A380 architecture based on three RAs.
• When three RAs are operative, the median value among the three RA
heights is used for:
- RA callouts
- “RETARD” callout
- RA height on CAPT and F/O PFDs
- A/THR modes (e.g RETARD mode)
- AP/FD modes (e.g LAND and FLARE modes)
- TCAS, GPWS and PWS alerts
- AUTOLAND warning.
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• Thanks to the median value computation, one erroneous RA height is

not taken into account and a good RA value is used for the above
items.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 36

 Content

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Radio Altimeter (RA) system

Ò The Operational Features

Ò The Architecture Features

Ò A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

Ò The Operational Consequences

Ò The Operational and Maintenance Recommendations

© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Ò A380 RA System

Ò Conclusion

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 37

 Conclusion
• Operational recommendations:
- During all phases of flight, flight crew must monitor and
crosscheck all PFD and FMA indications
- During Approach, in the event of any unsatisfactory
behaviour, disconnect the AP
- Note: If a manual take over is not performed, the angle-of-attack will increase and may
reach the stall value depending on flight conditions

Then
- Perform a manual landing AP/FD OFF if sufficient visual
references are available,
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

- Or perform a manual go-around. Significant longitudinal

sidestick input may be required.

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 38

 Conclusion
• Maintenance recommendations
- Clean the RA antennas and the adjacent area with
cleaning agents and a lint free cloth
- If, during any subsequent flight, one or more of the
presented operational consequence(s) is (are) shown in
the logbook:
- Replace the RA antennas
- Inspect the RA antennas coaxial cables. If they are not in
correct conditions, repair or replace the defective coaxial
cables
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

- These recommendations will be added in new TSM tasks

- In case of dispatch under MEL with one RA inoperative
do not swap the RA transceiver

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 39

 Conclusion

• OIT/FOT 999.0034/09 for A320FAM and A330/A340

operators

• OIT/FOT 999.0035/09 for A310 and A300-600 operators

Follow-up will be provided as a result

of the on-going investigations
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

• OIT/FOT not applicable for A380

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 40

 Proprietary document.
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other property rights are granted by the delivery of this Presentation than the right to read it, for the sole purpose of information. This
Presentation, its content, illustrations and photos shall not be modified nor reproduced without prior written consent of Airbus S.A.S. This
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copyright or any other intellectual property right in any other court of competent jurisdiction.
 A380 RA: The Median Value Computation

• Two examples explaining how the RA median value is

computed:
Example 1
– RA A = 53 ft
– RA B = 57 ft
– RA C = 52 ft
– 52 ft < 53 ft < 57 ft Æ The median value is RA A = 53 ft
Example 2
– RA A = 2002 ft
– RA B = - 8 ft (erroneous height)
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

– RA C = 2000 ft
– -8 ft < 2000 ft < 2002 ft Æ The median value is RA C = 2000 ft

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 42

 A320F/A330/A340 Erroneous RA height indication

• Maintenance recommendations
- Clean the RA antennas and the adjacent area with
cleaning agents and a lint free cloth
- If, during any subsequent flight, one or more of the
presented operational consequence(s) is (are) shown in
the logbook:
- Replace the RA antennas
- Inspect the RA antennas coaxial cables. If they are not in
correct conditions, repair or replace the defective coaxial
cables
© AIRBUS S.A.S. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

- These recommendations will be added in new TSM tasks

- In case of dispatch under MEL with one RA inoperative
do not swap the RA transceiver

16th Performance and Operations conference May 2009 Page 43