May 22, 201214 yr Hi guys, I was wondering what the little white arrow that comes up from time to time on the Airbus familes ND displays is. I attached a picture to hopefully make my question clearer I have very little knowledge of most Airbus systems, but I'm guessing it has to do with Top of Climb/Descent? I know we have some very knowledgeable Airbus pilots around here... Thanks for the insight,
May 22, 201214 yr Yes, It's Top of Descent, it's where you may want to start your descent, unless you're flying by ATC . I am not a real Airbus pilot though. Btw, Did you get this pic from FT bus series?
May 22, 201214 yr Author Btw, Did you get this pic from FT bus series? Nope, thats a screen capture with the Airbus X from Aerosoft.
May 22, 201214 yr Indeed that is the T/D indication. Rónán. By the way, does the start of descent always have to be initiated by the pilot or can it be automatic like on Boeings in VNAV? Thanks in advance, Bruno
May 22, 201214 yr By the way, does the start of descent always have to be initiated by the pilot or can it be automatic like on Boeings in VNAV? Thanks in advance, Bruno In managed mode, [ie. VNAV], you dial in your cleared altitude then press in the selector to let it descend on path the FMGC wants. Or just use Open Descent or V/S, captains discretion... For the record though, in Boeing aircraft, you will also have to set a lower cleared altitude, even if you are in VNAV, it won't just start descending unless the target altitude has been lowered.... Rónán. Rónán O Cadhain.
May 22, 201214 yr Author In managed mode, [ie. VNAV], you dial in your cleared altitude then press in the selector to let it descend on path the FMGC wants. Or just use Open Descent or V/S, captains discretion... And if you want to dial in a V/S setting, do you just rotate the knob, or do you have pull out the selector?
May 22, 201214 yr Rotate knob to lower altitude first then dial in the V/S you want. And on the AB the V/S selector is a round knob and not a wheel like in Boeing a/c.... Ró. Rónán O Cadhain.
May 22, 201214 yr In managed mode, [ie. VNAV], you dial in your cleared altitude then press in the selector to let it descend on path the FMGC wants. Or just use Open Descent or V/S, captains discretion... Thank you but my question was in fact : can you actually dial in your cleared altitude and press in the selector BEFORE reaching TOD so that the plane automatically starts its descent when reaching TOD? For the record though, in Boeing aircraft, you will also have to set a lower cleared altitude, even if you are in VNAV, it won't just start descending unless the target altitude has been lowered.... Rónán. Thanks again, but I knew that already, thanks to PMDG Bruno
May 22, 201214 yr Thank you but my question was in fact : can you actually dial in your cleared altitude and press in the selector BEFORE reaching TOD so that the plane automatically starts its descent when reaching TOD? Bruno Ah sorry, If you push it before T/D, you'll initiate the descent at 500fpm or 1000fpm depending, until you intercept the computed path, then you'll follow that path. Similar to the "Descend Now" function in Boeing aircraft if I recall correctly. The intercept point will be marked by a squigily arrow on the ND. Ró. Rónán O Cadhain.
May 22, 201214 yr Ah sorry, If you push it before T/D, you'll initiate the descent at 500fpm or 1000fpm depending, until you intercept the computed path, then you'll follow that path. Similar to the "Descend Now" function in Boeing aircraft if I recall correctly. The intercept point will be marked by a squigily arrow on the ND. Ró. Thanks Rónán. But don't apologize : It was my question that wasn't clear enough. Bruno
Create an account or sign in to comment