Systems Guide

Aerosoft
Airbus A320/A321
SYSTEMS
Systems guide
Vol
4
04-03-11
28 October 2014
THRUST LEVERS
The thrust levers are used to manually control thrust
or to select the desired autothrust mode. With both
engines operating the autothrust range is between
the idle and the FLX/MCT detents. With autothrust
active the position of the thrust lever determines the
maximum thrust level.
Normally the thrust levers are positioned in the climb (CL) detent at the thrust reduction
altitude after takeoff and left there until the landing flare.
FLIGHT PHASES
The FMGC divides the complete flight into phases that normally will automatically switch to the next phase when
certain conditions are met.
Flight Phase
Optimum Speed Profile
Switching conditions to next phase
Preflight
-
SRS take off mode engaged +
N1 > 85% or Ground Speed > 90 kts
Take Off
V
2
followed by V
2
+10
At ACC ALT (or manually)
Climb
ECON CLB SPD/MACH
At reaching Cruise Flight Level
Cruise
ECON CRZ MACH
At reaching ToD
Descent
ECON DES MACH/SPD
Overflying Decel waypoint with NAV (or LOC/LOC*) engaged
Manually activating APPR phase
Approach
VAPP (GS Min)
To Go Around: thrust levers to TOGA
To Done: automatic 30 seconds after landing
To Climb: inserting new CRZ FL
Go Around
VAPP or Current Speed
To Approach: manually select APPR phase
To Climb: manually select CLMB phase
Done
At depressing INIT or PERF to Preflight
PERFORMANCE
The FMGC will minimize the flight cost through speed optimization. Depending on the Cost Index setting it will
compute optimal targets for the following items:
 Take off, approach and go around speed are calculated as a function of the TOW and performance
model. Note that V1, V2 and Vr have to be manually entered (in our aircraft these speeds are calculated
but can be overwritten.
 CLB and DES speeds are computed as a function of the GW, Cost Index, environment (temperature,
wind) and Cruise level. The speeds are NOT recalculated when the mode is active.
 Cruise Mach is computed as the optimal speed and is updated continuously update to the current
weather condition and F-PLN modifications.
 Optimum Flight Level is calculated assuming a 5 minute minimum cruise flight. It is continuously update
in flight.