The FCU is the heart of autopilot operations. It contains knobs and buttons to select or manage four core parameters:
Positioned next to the PFD, the ND provides situational awareness. Pilots can toggle between various display modes:
The overhead panel is where the aircraft's systems are managed. It is logically organized, with engines on the inside and utility systems on the outside. System management controls. Lights: Cockpit and exterior lighting.
Located on either side of the FCU, these allow the Captain and First Officer to change ND modes (Rose, Arc, Plan), adjust display ranges, and toggle data overlays like airports, constraints, or waypoints. 3. The Overhead Panel
Before diving into the buttons and screens, it is crucial to understand the design philosophy that governs the Airbus flight deck, particularly the A320 family. The cockpit was designed with three core objectives in mind: reinforcing flight safety, improving efficiency, and answering pilot needs in a continuously changing environment. This has resulted in a "Forward Facing Cockpit Layout" that maximizes commonality across all Airbus fly-by-wire aircraft—from the A318 to the A380. Airbus A320 Cockpit Layout Pdf
Panels separated into dedicated pages (Overhead, Main Panel, Pedestal) for easy printing as posters or study sheets.
Maximum thrust for takeoff or aborted landings.
The Airbus Design Philosophy: Forward Facing Crew Cockpit (FFCC)
The upper-middle screen, showing critical engine parameters (N1, EGT) and warnings. The FCU is the heart of autopilot operations
The Airbus A320 cockpit is a pioneering "glass cockpit" design, famously replacing traditional control columns with and implementing a comprehensive fly-by-wire (FBW) system. This layout is standardized across the A320 family (A318, A319, A320, A321) to ensure high crew commonality. Key Cockpit Sections
Centrally located, these screens provide the crew with data on aircraft systems (engines, hydraulics, fuel) and provide checklist guidance during emergencies. 3. Key Control Interfaces
If you are looking to specifically master the autopilot system, I can help you find documentation on the functions or MCDU inputs for your next flight simulator session. Share public link
Elena sat back. She had flown A320s for over a decade. She had never looked under panel 21VU—the avionics ventilation control panel. It was a place no routine maintenance went. It is logically organized, with engines on the
Airbus implemented a system where overhead panel lights remain off (dark) during normal operations. If a light is illuminated (white, amber, or red), it immediately draws the pilot's attention to an active selection or a system fault.
Furthermore, Airbus utilized a high degree of automation to reduce pilot workload, allowing the pilot to act as a system manager rather than a manual controller, particularly during cruise. 1. The Main Instrument Panel (Eye Level)
Unlike its Boeing counterparts, which retain a central control yoke, the A320 uses a located on the outboard side of each pilot. This design choice frees up space directly in front of the pilot for a folding table, which is used for managing flight charts or meals. 2. Main Instrument Panel Layout