The FCU is located on the glareshield, and is the short-term interface between the flight crew and the FMGC. It is used to select any flight parameters or modify those selected in the MCDU. The autopilots and autothrust functions may be engaged or disengaged. Different guidance modes can be selected to change various targets these are speed, heading, track, altitude, flight path angle, vertical speed.
the FCU also includes the two EFIS control panels either side of it and we will explain why shortly.
The FCU comprises three panels : - one center panel (auto flight control section) which features the controls and the displays associated with the AFS. - and two symmetrical panels (EFIS control sections) located on the left side and right side of the center panel. These panels include the controls to change the displays associated respectively with the Captain and the First Officer EFIS display units.
The FCU consists of two identical computers (FCU #1 and #2) and are independent of each other. The computers have separate power supplies, with FCU 1 being prioritised in the event of any electrical issues. FCU1 is for the Captain, FCU 2 for the Copilot.
In order to ensure segregation of barometric selections and displays, the CAPT and F/O BARO parameters are controlled, in normal operation, independently by the two different FCU - processors.
If both FCUs are serviceable, FCU 1 is active and controls Capt BARO selection, AFS display, AFS and EFIS pushbutton switches
FCU 2 controls only F/O BARO selection.
Airbus has landed its biggest-ever order with budget airline investor Indigo Partners signing a deal to buy 430 jets.
The agreement, for Airbus’s best-selling A320 family of small airliners, is worth a $49.5bn at list prices.
Although the order - for 273 A320neos and 157 A321neos - has a list value of almost $50bn, Indigo is unlikely to pay anywhere near as much. The A320neo is priced at $108m and the larger A321neo at $127m but manufacturers offer large discounts on jets. Such a massive order is likely to mean a bigger than normal price reduction.
As analysts digested the order - almost twice the size of the company's previous largest deal, a $26bn sale of 250 A320s to an Indian budget airline - Mr Leahy revealed another sales success. Dublin-based lease company CDB Aviation confirmed MoUs for 90 A320neos.
The order takes Airbus’s backlog of work on the A320 family of jets to almost 6,000 - the equivalent of almost a decade's work. The company has delivered nearly 8,000 of the aircraft since they were introduced 30 years ago.
Fuel Leak
This week Matt and Andy go through the QRH procedure of a fuel leak and discuss some failure management tips.
There is information in the FCTM-AO-028 and of course the QRH-ABN-28
This week we also have an exclusive offer only available to A320 Podcast listeners:
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