AUTOPILOT/FLIGHT DIRECTOR
Applicable to: ALL
OBJECTIVE
The Auto Pilot (AP) and Flight Director (FD) assist the flight crew to fly the aircraft within the normal flight envelope, in order to:
? Optimize performance in the takeoff, go-around, climb, or descent phases
? Follow ATC clearances (lateral or vertical)
? Repeatedly fly and land the aircraft with very high accuracy in CAT II and CAT III conditions.
To achieve these objectives:
? The AP takes over routine tasks. This gives the Pilot Flying (PF) the necessary time and resources to assess the overall operational situation.
? The FD provides adequate attitude or flight path orders, and enables the PF to accurately fly the aircraft manually.
MANAGED AND SELECTED MODES
The choice of mode is a strategic decision that is taken by the PF.
 
Managed modes require:
? Good FMS navigation accuracy (or GPS PRIMARY)
? An appropriate ACTIVE F-PLN (i.e. the intended lateral and vertical trajectory is entered, and the sequencing of the F-PLN is monitored).
 
MAIN INTERFACES WITH THE AP/FD
 
*The DIR TO function is an exception to this rule.
 

  OPERATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
AP / FD / ATHR
A318/A319/A320/A321
FLIGHT CREW TRAINING MANUAL 

OPERATIONAL RECOMMENDATION:
With the FMS, anticipate flight plan updates by preparing:
? EN ROUTE DIVERSIONS
? DIVERSION TO ALTN
? CIRCLING
? LATE CHANGE OF RWY
in the SEC F-PLN. This enables the MCDU to be used for short-term actions. TASKSHARING AND COMMUNICATIONS
The FCU and MCDU must be used, in accordance with the rules outlined below, in order to ensure:
? Safe operation (correct entries made)
? Effective inter-pilot communication (knowing each other's intentions)
? Comfortable operations (use "available hands", as appropriate)
 
AP/FD MONITORING
The FMA indicates the status of the AP, FD, and A/THR, and their corresponding operating modes. The PF must monitor the FMA, and announce any FMA changes. The flight crew uses the FCU or MCDU to give orders to the AP/FD. The aircraft is expected to fly in accordance with these orders.
The main concern for the flight crew should be:
WHAT IS THE AIRCRAFT EXPECTED TO FLY NOW ? WHAT IS THE AIRCRAFT EXPECTED TO FLY NEXT ?
If the aircraft does not fly as expected:
 
‐ Or, disengage the AP, and fly the aircraft manually.
 

  OPERATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
AP / FD / ATHR
A318/A319/A320/A321
FLIGHT CREW TRAINING MANUAL 

1 AUTOPILOT (AP) OPERATION
The AP can be engaged within the normal flight envelope, 5 s after liftoff and at least 100 ft. It automatically disengages, when the aircraft flies significantly outside the normal flight envelope limits.
　
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本文鏈接地址：A318/A319/A320/A321 機組訓練手冊 FCTM Flight Crew Training Manual(20)