Systems Guide

A318/A319/A320/A321
Professional
SYSTEMS
Systems guide
04-03-59
11 July 2018
POWER PLANT
The A320 series are powered by two CFM56 or IAE V2500 turbofan engines. Though these engines have
slightly different characteristics, these differences are hard to notice for the crew as they are controlled
by FADEC systems. The type rating of an pilot does not even mention the engine type.
FADEC
The Full Authority Digital Engine Control system (also called the Electronic Control Unit ECU) performs
these functions:
Gas Generation Control (fuel flow, acceleration, idle settings)
Engine Limit Protection (overspeed and EGT monitoring)
Power Management (thrust rating)
Automatic Starting Sequence
Thrust Reverser Control
Fuel Recirculation Control
ECU Cooling
Detection, Isolation and Recording of failures.
THRUST CONTROL SYSTEM
Thrust Control is managed by the FADEC on each engine. Thrust selection is done by means of the thrust
levers when in manual mode or by the FMGS when in automatic mode. Thrust rating limit (maximum
amount of power) is provided by the thrust lever position.
THRUST LEVERS
In automatic mode the trust levers should
be seen as mode selectors and in many
flights the throttles are not touched in the
complete flight (from shortly after take-off
to shortly before landing) and stay in CLIMB
mode the whole flight.
The thrust levers can only be moved
manually between 5 detents (stops) over 4
operating segments. Auto throttle is on only
active in the range between idle and climb
(including bit detents). Thrust Rating limit is
computed from the thrust lever position,
when between detents the FADEC will
select the rating limit of the higher detent.