2.

Auto flight
2.1. Overview
Main processing is carried out by two identical Flight Management Guidance Computers
(FMGC)
which normally work in tandem. Together they are known as the flight management
guidance system
(FMGS). The pilots provide inputs to the FMGS using two Multipurpose Control and Display
Units
(MCDUs) on the center pedestal and a flight control unit (FCU) on the glare shield.
The flight management part of the FMGS controls navigation, flight planning, performance
optimization,
predictions and display management. The flight guidance part provides flight director,
autopilot
and auto-thrust commands. The flight augmentation part provides flight envelope
computation,
maneuvring speed computation, windshear detection, -floor protection and various yaw
functions.
The FMGCs normally receive information from "on-side" sensors, and communicate between
themselves
to validate data. The FCU feeds both FMGCs.
The master FMGC is determined by autopilot and/or flight director engagement. FMGC1 is
master
if AP 1 is on, both autopilots are on or both flight directors are on. The autothrust is driven by
the
master FMGC. The flight directors are always driven from their on side FMGC.
If the cross talk between the two FMGCs is lost, the FMGCs can operate independently. This
mode
of operation is indicated by an amber IND light at the top of each MCDU. In independent
mode, the
same information must be entered into both MCDUs to receive the same guidance.
In the event of loss of an FMGC, the remaining FMGC continues to operate normally. If the
lost
FMGC was master, the A/P and A/THR will disengage. The AP of the healthy FMGC can be
engaged,
and subsequently the A/THR can be engaged. This situation, known as single mode, is
indicated
by an amber FM1 light at the top of the MCDU on the failed side. The MCDU will now be
copy of the MCDU driven by the healthy FMGC. The FMA will annunciate e.g. 2FD2 to
indicate
that both flight directors are being driven from one FMGC. The healthy FMGC also tunes the
offside
navaids. To restore the ND on the failed side, the range and mode must be set identically to
that set
on the healthy side.
If an FMGC has a software problem, the FMGS will temporarily revert to single mode while
the
affected FMGC auto resets. This may result in autopilot and autothrottle disconnect and
reversion
to selected modes. MAP NOT AVAIL is shown on the ND of the affected side and the status
page
with a "PLEASE WAIT" message appears on both MCDUs. Use of the MCDUs should be
avoided
during the reset as it will increase the reset time. Reset usually takes a few seconds.
The FCU display is driven by two redundant FCU controllers. A single failure will have very
little

effect. A double FCU failure will lead to the loss of both autopilots, both flight directors and
the
autothrust. The autothrust will revert to thrust locked until the thrust levers are manually
moved.
All targets are lost on the PFD. The EFIS control panels are lost, leading to a reversion to
STD,
rose NAV 80nm on the NDs and a reversion needle selection of VOR1 and ADF2. Weather
radar
image is also lost.
A locked MCDU may be recovered by turning it off, then back on after five seconds. This
failure is
not automatically detected. An amber FAIL on the MCDU requires the same procedure.

2.2. FCU
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