Systems Guide

Aerosoft
Airbus A320/A321
SYSTEMS
Systems guide
Vol
4
04-03-19
28 October 2014
OPEN DESCENT
In selected descend mode the autothrust system will be set to idle and the set speed will be kept using pitch. This
mode is not useful for final approaches.
ENGAGEMENT CONDITIONS
 The aircraft must be in flight more than 5 seconds
 LAND mode is not engaged
 FCU selected altitude is lower than current altitude
 OPEN DESCENT is engaged by pulling the ALT selector knob
DISENGAGEMENT CONDITIONS
 Selecting any other vertical mode
 Selecting a higher altitude then the current altitude
GUIDANCE
In OPEN DES the target Speed / Mach is maintained by pitch controls and thrust is maintained by the A / THR or
manually by the pilot. Speed target can be selected or managed.
ALTITUDE ACQUIRE
ALT* will guide the aircraft to the FCU selected altitude, ALT CST* guides the aircraft to an altitude constraint.
Once the set altitude is reached the ALTITUDE HOLD (ALT or ALT CST) mode will engage.
GUIDANCE
In the ALT* and ALT CST* mode the vertical speed is managed to reduce vertical speed to ensure a smooth
capture of the set FCU altitude.
ALTITUDE HOLD
ALT mode will keep the aircraft at a set altitude. The altitude can be a FCU set altitude (with ALT engaged) or an
altitude constraint.
ARMING CONDITIONS
 ALT mode is automatically armed when the aircraft climbs or descents to a target altitude.