Flight Management, Navigation

Question 1

Explain the function of the FMC Source Select Switch

Answer 1

BOTH ON L - selects left FMC for all FMC operations

NORMAL -
- Left FMC controls CDUs and provides input to the autothrottle system
- Right FMC operates in synchronization with left FMC.
- Maps display composite information from both FMCs

BOTH ON R - selects right FMC for all FMC operations

VOL 2 / 11.1.1.6

Question 2

Explain the function of the VHF NAV Transfer Switch

Answer 2

NORMAL - VHF navigation from default receiver. Int he event of a receiver failure, this switch must be manually positioned to one of the below positions (NO AUTO FUNCTION):

BOTH ON 1 or BOTH ON 2: Transfers VHF navigation source to selected receiver

VOL 2 / 11.1.5.4

Question 3

Explain the function of the IRS Transfer Switch

Answer 3

NORMAL - Attitude and heading information from default IRS. In the event of an IRS failure, this switch must be manually positioned to one of the below positions (NO AUTO FUNCTION):

BOTH ON L or BOTH ON R: switches all attitude and heading to selected IRS

VOL 2 / 11.1.4.3

Question 4

Explain the meaning of the amber FMC P/RST alert light on the forward panel

Answer 4

An alerting message exists for both CDUs

Nore: P/RST = Push to Reset.

THE LIGHT IS AMBER, not red, white or magenta

VOL 2 / 11.1.1.7

Question 5

Describe the alert associated with failure of a single FMC

Answer 5

• If the right FMC fails, FMC alert light and the FMC message light will illuminate. The message SINGLE FMC OPERATION will be displayed in both scratchpads
• If the left FMC fails, the FMC alert light will illuminate. The MENU page will appear on both CDUs

VOL 2 / 11.5.5.1

Question 6

Explain the alert associated when ANP exceeds RNP

Answer 6

If ANP exceeds the displayed RNP value, the UNABLE REQD NAV PERF - RNP message will be displayed on the CDU scratchpad. ANP and RNP annunciations on the MAP display turn amber. When in the approach environment, an additional amber UNABLE REQD NAV PERF - RNP will be displayed on the MAP

VOL 2 / 11.4.4.2.3

Question 7

Describe how to enter VNAV Speed/Altitude Restrictions into the FMS

Answer 7

• All speed restrictions are considered by the FMC as “at” restrictions unless modified by the pilot

AIRSPEED comes first therefore requires the slash (/) after it, then altitude. EX crossing a fix at or below 250kts at FL 200 is…

250B/200

White modified by the pilot:
- “At or above” airspeed restrictions are entered with a suffix letter A (ex: 250A/)
- “At or below” airspeed restrictions are entered with a suffix letter A (ex: 250B/)
- Mandatory airspeed restrictions are entered without any suffice letter (ex: 250/)

• “At or above” altitude restrictions are entered with a suffix letter A (ex: 250A)
• “At or below” altitude restrictions are entered with a suffix letter A (ex: 200B)
• Mandatory altitude restrictions are entered without any suffice letter (ex: 220)
• Altitude restrictions that are between two altitudes are displayed with the lower limit first, followed by a suffix letter A, then the upper limit, followed by a suffix letter B (example 220A240B).

VOL 2 / 11.4.6.1

Question 8

Explain the meaning of the CDU messages DRAG REQUIRED and DES PATH UNACHIEVABLE displayed during a VNAV PATH descent

Answer 8

• The CDU message DRAG REQUIRED is displayed when airspeed is 10kts or more above FMC target speed
• The CDU message DES PATH UNACHIEVABLE is displayed if the FMC determines that the planned descent profile cannot be accomplished

VOL 2 / 11.12.4

Question 9

Describe the commanded acceleration after takeoff when VNAV is engaged

Answer 9

• last MCP speed (V2) +20 kts until acceleration height
• if an engine failure is detected, target speed will be last MCP speed (V2)+20kts if the airplane is at that speed or greater, or the existing speed if the airplane if between V2 and V2+20kts
• the flap placard speed minus 5kts
• 230kts or less when leading edge flaps are not fully retracted
• 250kts with flaps retracted
• the active target speed
• waypoint speed contraints, or the speed restriction associated with the origin airport, whichever is more restrictive

VOL 2 / 11.9.3

Question 10

Explain the meaning of an illuminated GPS light on the IRS Mode Selector Unit (ISDU)

Answer 10

• Indicates failure of both GPS units
• Indicates failure of a single GPS unit when Master Caution recall is initiated

Note: GPS light on the Aft Overhead Panel

VOL 2 / 11.1.2

Question 11

Explain the meaning of a flashing ALIGN light on the IRS Mode Selector Unit (ISDU)

Answer 11

• No present position entry (in the FMC)
• Unreasonable present position

VOL 2 / 11.1.4.2

Question 12

What is the function of the VHF NAV Transfer Switch on the Forward Overhead Panel?

Answer 12

All of the above

• NORMAL- VHF navigation from default receiver
• BOTH ON 1 - transfers VHF navigation source to VHF Nav receiver 1
• BOTH ON 2 - transfers VHF navigation source to VHF NAV receiver 2

ESV-SA: Flight Management

Question 13

What is the meaning of the CDU message DRAG REQUIRED during a VNAV PATH descent?

Answer 13

The airspeed is 10kts or more above FMC target speed

ESV-SA: Flight Management

Question 14

What does the message SINGLE FMC OPERATION in both CDU scratch pads indicate?

Answer 14

Failure of the RIGHT FMC

Note: failure of the left FMC takes both CDUs to the main menu

ESV-SA: Flight Management

Question 15

What is the function of the FMC Source Select Switch in the BOTH ON L position?

Answer 15

Selects the left FMC for all FMC operations

ESV-SA: Flight Management

Question 16

VNAV engaged at or above 400ft commands acceleration to:

select all that apply

Answer 16

• last MCP speed (V2) + 20kts until acceleration height
• 230kts or less when leading edge flaps are not fully retracted
• 250kts with flaps retracted

Note: it’s flap placard speed MINUS 5kts

ESV-SA: Flight Management

Question 17

True or False:
If ANP exceeds the displayed RNP value, the UNABLE REQD NAV PERF- RNP message will be displayed on the CDU scratchpad

Answer 17

TRUE

ESV-SA: Flight Management

Question 18

How would you type an “at or above” 250 knots airspeed restriction into the FMS?

Answer 18

250A/

Note: AIRSPEED comes first therefore requires the slash (/) after it, then altitude. EX crossing a fix at or below 250kts at FL 200 is…

250B/200

ESV-SA: Flight Management

Question 19

A scratchpad alert message for both CDUs is indicated by a:

Answer 19

FMC P/RST light illuminated AMBER on the Forward Panel

Note: it is not white, magenta or red

ESV-SA: Flight Management

Question 20

An illuminated GPS light on the IRS Mode Selector Unit indicates:

select all that apply

Answer 20

• A failure of a single GPS unit when Master Caution Recall is initiated
• Failure of both GPS units

ESV-SA: Flight Management

Question 21

What is the function of the IRS Transfer Switch in the Normal Position?

Answer 21

Attitude and heading source from default IRS

ESV-SA: Flight Management

Question 22

What is the meaning of a flashing ALIGN light on the IRS Mode Selector Unit?

select all that apply

Answer 22

• No present position entry
• Unreasonable present position entry

ESV-SA: Flight Management