FLIGHT MODE

ANNUNCIATORS
(FMAS)

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 1/21
1/33
1/99
1/24
1/
 We have seen that one of the main input devices for the FMGCs is the FCU.
Good CLR requires you to verify all inputs with the appropriate output. In almost all
cases when you make an input on the FCU, you will check your action on the PFD in
the area labeled the Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA) which is located at the top of the
PFD.

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 2/21
2/33
2/99
2/24
2/
COLUMN
DISPLAYS

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 3/21
3/33
3/99
3/24
3/
1 2 3 4 5

Let ’s look at the FMA in detail.

First, note that the FMA is divided into 5 columns.

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 4/21
4/33
4/99
4/24
4/
AUTOTHROTTLE
OPERATION

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 5/21
5/33
5/99
5/24
5/
AUTOTHROTTLE AP / FD
OPERATION VERTICAL

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 6/21
6/33
6/99
6/24
6/
AUTOTHROTTLE AP / FD AP / FD
OPERATION VERTICAL LATERAL

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 7/21
7/33
7/99
7/24
7/
AUTOTHROTTLE AP / FD AP / FD APPROACH
OPERATION VERTICAL LATERAL CAPABILITY

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 8/21
8/33
8/99
8/24
8/
 AUTOTHROTTLE AP / FD AP / FD APPROACH AUTOPILOT,
OPERATION VERTICAL LATERAL CAPABILITY FLIGHT DIRECTOR,
& AUTOTHRUST
ENGAGEMENT
STATUS
The first column displays autothrottle modes.
The second one displays the vertical modes of the autopilot and flight directors.
The third displays the lateral modes of the autopilot and flight directors.
The fourth column displays the approach capability of the autoflight system.
Autopilot, Flight Director, and Auto Thrust engagement status.

MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 9/21
9/33
9/99
9/24
9/
 COMMON
MODES

During approach and landing, the second and third columns are
combined to display a single autopilot/FD mode because of the
commonality of the lateral and vertical elements.
These modes are called Common Modes.

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 10/21
10/33
10/99
10/24
10/
1
2
3

Besides being divided into 5 vertical columns,

the FMA can display three horizontal information
lines in each column. Let’s look at the first three
columns.

MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 11/21
11/33
11/99
11/24
11/
 LINE
DISPLAYS

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 12/21
12/33
12/99
12/24
12/
 The fist line displays the engaged modes for the flight guidance system:
- In this example, the autothrust is engaged in the SPEED mode. Thrust will be
automatically adjusted to maintain the target speed,
- The Altitude (ALT) mode is engaged for the vertical mode. The FDs and autopilot
will provide guidance to maintain altitude,
- The Heading (HDG) mode is engaged for the lateral mode. Aircraft heading is being
controlled by the pilots.

The color coding will be explained later when the concept of managed guidance and
selected guidance is discussed.

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 13/21
13/33
13/99
13/24
13/
 The second line shows armed modes for the Flight
guidance system. In the example shown, G/S and LOC
in blue indicates that Glideslope and Localizer capture
modes are armed.

MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 14/21
14/33
14/99
14/24
14/
 The third line shows reminders or messages. In
our example, “CHECK APP SEL” advises us to
check the selected approach.

MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 15/21
15/33
15/99
15/24
15/
 The logic of the lines in the last two columns is different from the first
three. The fourth column provides information about the approach
capability. The first two lines state that the autoflight system is capable of
a category III ILS approach in the fail-active mode, meaning Cat 3 B.

MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 16/21
16/33
16/99
16/24
16/
 100

The last line in fourth column displays the “minimums” as selected by the
pilots; either an MDA or a DH with the appropriate minimums may be selected
as required for the approach.

Notice that the numerical value of the decision height is displayed in blue
while the rest of the information is displayed in white. Also, the aircraft must
be in either the Descent or Approach phase for these values to appear.

MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 17/21
17/33
17/99
17/24
17/
 The fifth column displays the engagement status of the
Flight Guidance System.
Line one displays which autopilots are engaged. In this
example, both 1 and 2 are engaged for an autoland.

MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 18/21
18/33
18/99
18/24
18/
 Line 2 displays flight director engaged status. In this
example, both flight directors are engaged.

MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 19/21
19/33
19/99
19/24
19/
MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 20/21
20/33
20/99
20/24
20/
MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 21/21
21/33
21/99
21/24
21/
 The last line displays the Autothrottle status.
• A/THR in BLUE means that the autothrotles are
armed, but not actually operating.
• A/THR in WHITE means that the autothrottles are
engaged and operating.
• A blank means that the autothrottle system is off.

MENU
MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 22/21
22/33
22/99
22/24
22/
 When any mode changes on the FMA, it is boxed in white for 10 seconds to draw the
pilot’s attention to this new status. In this example, the aircraft is intercepting the
Localizer. The Glide Slope is armed; it has not captured yet.

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 23/21
23/33
23/99
23/24
23/
LIST OF SUBJECTS

Flt Mode Annunicators (FMAS)

COLUMN DISPLAYS
LINE DISPLAYS

RETURN

RETURN
EXIT

EXIT

MENU

MENU
MENU

MENU 24/21
24/33
24/99
24/24
24/