From: mklein@dis.com (Mark Klein)
Subject: 30 Minutes up Front! (Longish)
Organization: DIS International, Ltd.  Novato, California
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 23:56:45 GMT
Keywords: Airbus, A320, Jets, EFIS

This past weekend, I needed to go on a commercial flight to a place I 
probably shouldn't mention on a carrier I probably shouldn't mention.  
You see, I don't know if non-US carriers in US airspace are bound 
by the FARs prohibiting flight deck visits. But I'm getting ahead of
myself...

Anyway, I was sitting just in front of the window at the terminal when 
our bird pulled up, and I sure couldn't figure out what it was.  It was a
two holer and looked something like a 757 from the outside.  As it got
closer, I realized it wasn't. When I could finally see the markings
it revealed it was an Airbus 320.  I've read about the Airbus in the 
various rags, but had never been near one.  
Well, here was an opportunity I couldn't pass by.

Upon entering the plane, I tried turn left toward the flight deck instead
of right towards my seat.  The head flight attendant intercepted me and asked
if she could help.  I explained that I was a private pilot and simply wanted 
a quick tour of the flight deck.  She said the crew was quite busy, but she 
took my seat number and said she'd check with them and would get back to me.

Within 15 minutes, we were airborne and I thought I missed my opportunity.
I had to clear customs on landing and then make a tight connection, so I
doubted I would have enough time to try again after we landed.  I was 
disappointed simply because I had no idea when I'd ever get this close to
an Airbus again.  About 30 minutes into the trip, the head flight 
attendant came back to my seat and asked me to come forward!  This was 
better than I could ask for - up front in flight!

The first thing I noticed after entering the flight deck (actually the 
second - after the dazzle of the EFIS - you know, something about us
computer/pilot types :-) ) was the lack of a control wheel.  The A320 
is a fly by wire airplane with a side stick.  I asked how difficult it 
was to fly and the response was it takes getting used to, but becomes 
quite natural.  I wonder what it would feel like with little or no 
control feedback?  He also stated that the computers are always retrimming
the control surfaces.  Place the A320 in a bank, and the computers would
trim for the bank.

The EFIS was quite impressive. I recall there being five main screens 
with smaller communications screens on the center console.  The main 
screens were set up two for each pilot with a single screen dead center 
where the radio stack exists on most singles.

The leftmost tube in front of each pilot contained the flight instruments.  
The rightmost tube contained the navigation instruments.  The tube 
between them contained the the remaining systems such as fuel and 
electrical displays.  They could be customized to some degree as to the 
format and type of data being displayed.  

For example, the Captain's nav display showed simply a course line from 
present position to the clearance limit.  The first officer's display 
was set to show navaids and airports in addition to the projected course.  
There seemed to be a limitless number of additional options as to how 
they could be configured.

One thing I found quite interesting was the flight director command 
bars on attitude indicator - they were commanding a 2 degree nose up pitch.  
I asked about that and was told "they [the pilots] like to make the 
flight attendants push those heavy carts uphill!"  Actually, level flight 
for those conditions required 2 degrees nose up pitch.

Standing there and looking out over the nose sure provided a breathtaking 
view.  I can't relate it to the views I see out the front of a single at 
the lower altitudes.  We were at FL350 over a solid layer with some towering
CU ahead and to the left.  I think I could have stared out for hours.

All too soon they needed to prepare for arrival, so I thanked them and 
returned to my seat.  I wish I'd had the Chutzpah to ask them if I could 
ride the jump seat during the approach.  Ahhh, maybe next time.
-- 
============================================================================
Mark Klein                                                   415-892-8400
DIS International, Ltd.
mklein@dis.com
Newsgroups: rec.aviation