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Approach - FINAL APP Guidance

Procedure for an approach using Final App Guidance on an Airbus A320 family aircraft.

Required RNP Approach equipment

The minimum equipment to start an RNP Approach is:

  • One FMS
  • One GPS
  • Two IR's
  • One MCDU
  • One FD
  • One PFD on the Pilot Flying side
  • Two ND's
  • Two FCU channels
Descent Preparation
WEATHER INFO:

Note: The FMS vertical profile does not take into account the effect of low OAT. Therefore the vertical managed guidance must not be used when:
  • the actual OAT is below the minimum temperature indicated on the approach chart or defined by the operator
  • temperature corrections are required according to SOP
 Obtain
F-PLN A PAGE:
  • If a TOO STEEP PATH message is displayed at the Final Descent Point (FDP), do not use FINAL APP guidance for approach. In this case use NAV | FPA or TRK | FPA.
  • 0.1 degree of difference between the MCDU and the charted final vertical path is acceptable
  • 1 degree of difference between the MCDU and the charted final lateral track is acceptable
  • 3 degree of difference between the MCDU and the charted final lateral track is acceptable for conventional radio NAVAID Approaches
 Check
PROG PAGE:
  • Insert the reference RWY threshold in the BRG/DIST field for position monitoring during approach
 Review
GO AROUND STRATEGY: Review
Descent

At 10000 ft:

NAV ACCURACY:

Note: if NAV accuracy is LOW, use TRK | FPA mode for approach.
  • For RNAV (GNSS) approach: GPS PRIMARY: Check
  • GPS PRIMARY mus be available on at least 1 FMS
 Check
BARO REF:
  • The vertical guidance requires a precise baro setting
 Set
Initial / Intermediate / Final Approach
POSITION:
  • Check that ATC clearances allow the aircraft to fly through the capture area of the vertical profile
  • After Radar Vectoring, consider DIR TO, Radial Inn to sequence the F-PLN
 Monitor
APPR pushbutton on FCU: Push
APPR NAV: Check Armed or Engaged
FINAL:
  • Check that the V/DEV scale is displayed on the PFD
  • At the Final Descent Point, a blue arrow on ND indicates that FINAL APP engagement conditions are met
 Check Armed
At Final Descent Point
FINAL APP: Check Engaged
GO AROUND ALTITUDE: Set
FLIGHT PARAMETERS:
  • Monitor XTK error on ND
  • Monitor V/DEV on PFD
  • Crosscheck distances versus altitudes as published on charts
  • If approaching on a conventional radio NAVAID procedure, monitor the lateral and vertical guidance using raw data
  • The Pilot Monitoring calls out if excessive deviations occur
    - XTK > 0.1 NM
    - V/DEV > ½ dot (1 dot corresponds to 100 ft)
 Monitor
At entered Minimum +100 ft
ONE HUNDRED ABV.: Monitor or Announce
At entered Minimum
MINIMUM:
  • Below minimum, the visual reference must be the primary reference until landing
 Monitor or Announce
If visual conditions are sufficient:
CONTINUE: Announce
At the latest at Missed Approach Point or the Minimum allowable use of Autopilot height (whichever comes first):
AUTOPILOT: Off
FLIGHT DIRECTORS: As required

Caution:

  • From minima down to the Missed Approach Point the Flight Directors provides additional guidance. The Flight Director must be switched OFF if the guidance is not relevant or not followed
  • After the Missed Approach Point, disregard the FD as it reverts to HDG | VS
If visual conditions are not sufficient:
CONTINUE: Announce

Management of Degraded Navigation

VOR and NDB approaches

For VOR and NDB approaches, be prepared to continue the approach with reference to appropriate raw data by reverting to:

  • NAV | FPA if the vertical guidence is not satisfactory
  • TRK | FPA if the lateral guidance is not satisfactory

RNAV (GNSS) approaches with LNAV and VNAV minima

  • Use the appropriate remaining AP/FD in the following cases:

    • GPS PRIMARY LOST on one Navigation Display
    • NAV ACCUR DOWNGRAD on one FMGS

  • Discontinue the approach in the following cases, if external visual references are not sufficient to proceed visually

    • GPS PRIMARY LOST on both ND's
    • XTK > 0.3 NM
    • NAV FM/GPS POS DISAGREE on ECAM
    • NAV ACCUR DOWNGRAD on both FMGS

For RNAV (GNSS) approaches with LNAV and VNAV minima:

  • Discontinue the approach in case the deviation of 75 ft below vertical path (V/DEV > ¾ dot)

Additional content for this topic

Short "For Dummies" video about Final Approach Mode with the FENIX A320 in MSFS.

Download PDF

Warning

ONLY for Flight-Simulation!

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