Airbus Flight Control System

• Active when aircraft is on the ground.
• Direct proportional relationship between the sidestick deflection and deflection of the flight controls.
• Is active until shortly after liftoff.
• After touchdown, ground mode is reactivated and resets the stabilizer trim to zero.

• Becomes active shortly after takeoff and remains active until shortly before touchdown.
• Sidestick deflection and load factor imposed on the aircraft are directly proportional, regardless of airspeed.
• With sidestick neutral and wings level, system maintains a 1 g load in pitch.
• No requirement to change pitch trim for changes in airspeed, configuration, or bank up to 33 degrees.
• At full aft/fwd sidestick deflection system maintains maximum load factor for flap position.
• Sidestick roll input commands a roll rate request.
• Roll rate is independent of airspeed.
• A given sidestick deflection always results in the same roll rate response.
• Turn coordination and yaw damping are computed by the ELACs and transmitted to the FACs.
• No rudder pedal feedback for the yaw damping and turn coordination functions.

• Transition to flare mode occurs at 50' RA during landing.
• System memorizes pitch attitude at 50' and begins to progressively reduce pitch, forcing pilot to flare the aircraft
• In the event of a go-around, transition to flight mode occurs again at 50' RA.

• Prevents pilot from overstressing the aircraft even if full sidestick deflections are applied.

Attitude Protection

• Pitch limited to 30 deg up, 15 deg down, and 67 deg of bank.
• These limits are indicated by green = signs on the PFD.
• Bank angles in excess of 33 deg require constant sidestick input.
• If input is released the aircraft returns to and maintains 33 deg of bank.

High Angle of Attack Protection (alpha):

• When alpha exceeds alpha prot, elevator control switches to alpha protection mode in which angle of attack is proportional to sidestick deflection.
• Alpha max will not be exceeded even if the pilot applies full aft deflection

High Speed Protection:

• Prevents exceeding VMO or MMO by introducing a pitch up load factor demand.
• The pilot can NOT override the pitch up command.

Low Energy Warning:

• Available in CONF 2, 3, or FULL between 100' and 2, 000' RA when TOGA not selected.
• Produces aural "SPEED SPEED SPEED" when change in flight path alone is insufficient to regain a positive flight path (Thrust must be increased).