Glareshield Panel

Annunciator Panel

MASTER WARNING: Illuminates and flashes to indicate a Level 3 severity warning. The crew must cancel the warning. MASTER CAUTION: Illuminates to indicate a Level 2 severity caution. The crew must cancel the caution. AUTO LAND: Illuminates if the aircraft is performing an automatic landing that cannot be completed. The crew must take control of the aircraft and cancel the warning. SIDE STICK PRIORITY: Illuminates if a conflict arises due to both pilots making sidestick inputs simultaneously.

EFIS Control Panel

This panel controls various aspects of the EFIS displays for the Captain and First Officer independently.

The barometric knob controls the Altimeter setting. The outer knob toggles between inches of mercury and hectopascals. The inner knob is used to set the desired pressure.

FD: Toggles the flight director bars between on and off. These displays provide visual guidance on the PFD for the pilot to follow the current flight plan or approach procedure. LS: Toggles the Landing System glideslope display during an ILS approach. ADF1/VOR1: Displays the ADF pointer or VOR Heading deviation indicator using the ADF1 or VOR1 frequency tuned via the MCDU. ADF2/VOR2: Displays the ADF pointer or VOR Heading deviation indicator using the ADF2 or VOR2 frequency tuned via the MCDU. Mode Rotary: Switches the MFD between available display modes. Range Rotary: Adjusts the scale of the MFD map. CSTR (Constraints): When illuminated, the PFD will display nearby altitude and speed constraints. WPT (Waypoint): When illuminated, the PFD will display nearby waypoints. VOR.D (VOR Stations): When illuminated, the PFD will display nearby VOR stations. NDB (NDB Stations): When illuminated, the PFD will display nearby NDB stations. ARPT (Airport): When illuminated, the PFD will display nearby airports.

Flight Control Unit (Autopilot)

This panel controls the parameters and modes of the autopilot.

Speed, Heading, Vertical Speed, and Altitude can be specifically selected by the pilot (by pulling the appropriate knob to “Selected Mode”) or managed automatically by the Flight Management and Guidance System (FMGS) (by pushing the appropriate knob to “Managed Mode”).

In Managed Mode, the system will select appropriate parameters based on the current situation, aircraft configuration, and flight plan, displaying a dot next to the relevant display.

SPD/Mach: Toggles speed selection between knots and Mach number. Speed Rotary: Sets the desired speed in “Selected Mode”. HDG Rotary: Sets the desired Heading in “Selected Mode”. AP1/AP2: Toggles the autopilot on or off. For redundancy, there are two identical systems, labeled AP1 and AP2. A/THR: Toggles Autothrust mode. When active, the autopilot controls the throttles, making necessary thrust adjustments to comply with the selections. When inactive, the pilot can manually control thrust. Altitude Pre-Select Rotary: Sets the desired altitude. The inner knob increases/decreases in units of 100 feet, the outer knob in units of 1,000 feet. Pre-select the desired altitude, then pull the knob upwards to capture it. ALT: Press this button to immediately Level Flight at the current altitude, overriding any pre-selection made. LOC: Press this button to place the autopilot in “Localizer” mode. If a localizer frequency is selected, the autopilot will attempt to capture only the localizer beacon, provided the required autopilot input is not excessive. APPR: Press this button to place the autopilot in “Approach” mode. If an ILS frequency is selected, the autopilot will attempt to capture the localizer beacon and the glideslope, provided the required autopilot input is not excessive. Vertical Speed Rotary: Adjusts the Vertical Speed during a Climb or Descent to the pre-selected altitude. First use the altitude knob to pre-select the desired altitude, then use the VS knob to select the desired rate. Pull the VS knob upwards to start the climb/descent. HDG+VS/TRK+FPA: Toggles the autopilot mode between Heading+Vertical Speed mode and Track+Flight Path Angle mode. In the latter mode, the autopilot maintains the desired track by compensating for wind drift, as well as the desired climb/descent angle, rather than the rate (feet per second).

Center Pedestal

Multipurpose Control and Display Unit (MCDU)

The MCDU performs numerous functions, many of which were handled by the flight engineer in the era of three-person cockpits. This panel is the primary interface between the crew and the Flight Management and Guidance Computer (FMGC). There are two MCDU panels on the center pedestal, which the Captain and First Officer can operate independently. The primary function of the MCDU is navigation. This is achieved by entering and executing a flight plan or by navigating directly to a selected waypoint.

Setting navigation radio frequencies for ILS, VOR, and ADF stations:

NAV/RAD: Press this button to enter frequencies for ILS, VOR, or ADF stations. Use the CLR button to clear the scratchpad (the last line on the screen for text entry). Use the numeric keypad to enter the desired frequency, which will appear in the scratchpad. Press the button next to VOR / LS / ADF to program the specific frequency. For example, if you intend to use an ILS frequency of 110.75, enter that frequency into the scratchpad, then press the LS button at the top left. Note: A separate document will be provided detailing the functions of the MCDU.

ECAM Control Panel

Radio Management Panel

Audio Control Panel

Cockpit Flood Lighting Panel (Left)

FLOOD LT Rotary: Controls the intensity of the instrument panel lighting. INTEG LT Rotary: Controls the intensity of the cockpit backlighting.

Transponder Panel

The aircraft is equipped with two transponders for redundancy. Only one transponder is operational at any time.

MODE Rotary: Switches the transponder between available modes… STBY = Powered but not operational; AUTO = Operates in Mode C when airborne; operates in Mode S when on the ground; ON = Operates in Mode C

ATC: Selects the active transponder (1 or 2). ALT RPTG: When set to OFF, the transponder will not report altitude data to ATC. IDENT: Press this button to highlight the aircraft’s position on the ATC controller’s radar screen. Keypad: Used to enter the transponder code assigned by ATC.

Traffic Collision & Avoidance (TCAS) Rotaries: THRT (Threat) = Reports only when nearby aircraft pose a collision threat; ALL (All) = Reports all nearby aircraft; ABV (Above) = Reports all aircraft if they are within 9000 feet above or 2700 feet below our aircraft; BLW (Below) = Reports all aircraft if they are within 9000 feet below or 2700 feet above our aircraft; STBY (Standby) = TCAS standby (not operational); TA (Traffic Advisory) = TCAS provides Traffic Advisories (TA) only; TA/RA (Traffic Advisory/Resolution Advisory) = TCAS provides Resolution Advisories (collision threats) and Traffic Advisories (TA).

Cockpit Lighting Panel (Left)

FLOOD LT Rotary: Controls the brightness of the cockpit lights.

Speed Brake Lever

The aircraft is equipped with a speed brake lever that deploys speed brakes located on the top of the wings. Speed brakes are highly effective at reducing Lift generated by the wings and increasing Drag; they are typically partially extended during Descent or fully extended upon touchdown. The lever can be placed at any point between the following positions: RET (Retracted): Speed brakes are fully retracted. In the RET position, you can lift the lever to “arm” the speed brakes. When armed, they will deploy automatically upon landing when the crew applies reverse thrust. FULL (Full Extension): Speed brakes are fully extended, creating maximum Lift reduction and Drag.

Flap Lever

The flap lever controls the wing flaps and slats. They change the contour of the wing. When extended, flaps and slats generate more Lift and Drag, which is beneficial during takeoff and landing phases. The lever provides four preset flap and slat angles: 0 = Retracted; 1 = Slats 16 degrees + Flaps 8 degrees; 2 = Slats 20 degrees + Flaps 14 degrees; 3 = Slats 23 degrees + Flaps 22 degrees; FULL = Slats 23 degrees + Flaps 32 degrees;

Parking Brake PARK BRK

Parking Brake Knob: This control can be operated using the mouse wheel or buttons. OFF = Parking brake released; ON = Parking brake set;

Cockpit Door

Cockpit Door Switch: UNLOCK = The door can be opened by clicking the door handle with the mouse; NORM / LOCK = The door cannot be opened;

Rudder Trim RUDTRIM

Rudder Trim Knob: This control can be operated using the mouse wheel or buttons. Counter-clockwise = Increase left rudder trim; Clockwise = Increase right rudder trim; The current trim position is displayed by the adjacent indicator;

Autoland

The aircraft is capable of fully automatic landing, provided the Instrument Landing System (ILS) on the selected runway is CAT-3 certified (checkable via the X-Plane map). If necessary, refer to the Flight Control Unit (Autopilot) section for more detailed information on autopilot functions.

Aircraft Preparation Before Approach

Establish the aircraft on a reasonable localizer course and glideslope intercept position. Press the AP1 button to engage the autopilot. Determine the appropriate Heading for localizer interception. Use the Heading Rotary to set it, and pull the knob upwards to capture the Heading. Determine the altitude for glideslope interception. Use the Altitude Rotary to set it, and pull the knob upwards to capture the altitude.

Preparing for an ILS Approach.

1. Place the MCDU in NAV/RAD mode and tune the appropriate frequency for the ILS localizer course of the selected runway.

2. Engage Autothrust mode. Push the Speed Rotary down to place the autothrottles in “Managed” mode. The autothrottles will manage airspeed throughout the approach phase.

3. With the speed brake lever in the fully retracted position, pull the lever up to “arm” the speed brakes.

4. “Arm” the autobrakes by selecting the desired intensity (LO / MED / MAX).

5. When the aircraft is positioned to intercept the localizer and glideslope, press the APPR button to place the autopilot in Approach mode. Press the AP2 button to activate the second autopilot. The autopilot should capture the localizer and glideslope. Upon landing, the autopilot will control the flare and use the speed brakes and autobrakes to slow the aircraft. Before exiting the Runway, disable both autopilots and control the aircraft manually.

Flight Planning

Flight planning is the process of determining the route from origin to Destination, considering factors such as fuel requirements, terrain avoidance, air traffic control, aircraft performance, airspace restrictions, and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS). General information on flight planning can be found on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_planning

If the aircraft is equipped with appropriate equipment, a flight plan can be generated by the onboard computer. Otherwise, the simulation pilot can choose to use online flight planning tools. Entering the term “Flight Planner” in a web search will yield many options, many of which are free services.

A good online flight planning tool will use the origin and destination airports, aircraft type and equipment, weather conditions, selected cruising altitude, known restrictions along the route, current NOTAMS, and other factors to generate a suitable flight plan.

Waypoints from the flight plan can subsequently be entered into the aircraft’s Flight Management Computer (FMS) or Global Positioning System (GPS). Some online flight planning tools offer the option to save the plan as a file compatible with X-Plane, with the file extension “.fms”. A saved flight plan can be loaded into the MCDU in the A330-300.

It is recommended that pilots generate a flight plan for their chosen route before using the MCDU, FMS, or GPS equipment. Instructions for operating Laminar Research’s MCDU, FMS, and GPS equipment (including entering and using flight plans) can be found in a separate (dedicated) manual. This manual only covers the basic functions of the MCDU required to operate the aircraft.