If the previous article answered ‘what to look at during the flight’, this article explains how to actually read what you see.

The Instrument Scan in Airbus Philosophy

Its purpose is simple: align attention on the two primary flight displays and the logic behind Airbus flight management philosophy.

In the A320 “base” instrument scan consists of two main displays:

• PFD – Primary Flight Display – aircraft state
• ND – Navigation Display – aircraft situation

Airbus flying is based on three questions:

1. Aircraft state – attitude, speed, altitude → PFD
2. Aircraft trajectory – where we are going → ND
3. Automation intent – what the aircraft is doing → FMA

If you control these three, you control the aircraft.

Primary Flight Display (PFD) – The Aircraft Talking to You

The PFD does not show separate numbers in isolation.Instead, it creates a single visual story of how the aircraft is flying at this very moment.

When you sit in the cockpit of an Airbus A320, your eyes are naturally drawn to one screen. Not because it is the biggest, but because it is the most alive.

In your simulator session, the PFD will be your anchor. When something feels confusing, this display will quietly tell you:

• whether the aircraft is stable,
• whether it is doing what you asked,
• whether you need to intervene – or simply observe.

Key Elements

1. Attitude Indicator

The central horizon gives immediate awareness of:

• Pitch
• Bank
• Flight path stability

Airbus philosophy: attitude + thrust = performance.

Stability matters more than precision. You don’t need to calculate – you recognize.

A steady altitude feels calm on the display.
A planned climb looks purposeful.
An unplanned descent immediately stands out.

2. Airspeed Tape (Left)

Important not for exact numbers, but for trends. Pilots look at movement. The PFD makes those changes easy to see – almost intuitive.

Is the speed increasing smoothly after takeoff?
Is it gently reducing on approach?
Or is it doing something unexpected?

Look for:

• acceleration after TOGA/FLEX
• deceleration on approach
• speed stability in managed modes

3. Altitude Tape (Right)

Used for:

• level-off anticipation
• altitude capture
• deviation detection

Combined with vertical speed, it shows energy management.

4. Vertical Speed

High V/S usually means poor energy planning. Airline flying prefers predictable profiles, not aggressive corrections. 

In a well-managed flight, vertical speed rarely looks aggressive.
Sharp spikes often mean rushed decisions or poor setup.

5. Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA)

Top line of the PFD.
Most critical Airbus element.

Always know:

• Lateral mode
• Vertical mode
• Autothrust status

Standard callout logic: “What is the aircraft doing now?”

If you lose FMA awareness, you lose automation control.

Flight Control Unit (FCU): Request, Then Confirm

The FCU is the pilot’s primary interface with the A320 guidance system. Its selectors are used to set the desired speed, heading or track, altitude, and vertical speed or flight-path angle. In simple terms: on the FCU, pilots tell the aircraft what they want; on the FMA, they verify how the aircraft has responded. An FCU selection alone does not confirm that the expected mode is active – the FMA remains the authoritative indication.

The FCU also supports the Airbus distinction between Managed and Selected guidance. In managed mode, the aircraft follows targets and profiles calculated by the FMGC, such as the programmed route or managed speed. In selected mode, the pilot directly commands a specific target using the FCU. As a practical rule, pushing a relevant selector generally engages managed guidance, while pulling it generally selects a pilot-defined target. After every mode change, pilots should check the FMA to confirm that the intended lateral, vertical, and autothrust modes are active or armed.

Navigation Display (ND)

The FCU is the pilot’s primary interface with the A320 guidance system. Its selectors are used to set the desired speed, heading or track, altitude, and vertical speed or flight-path angle. In simple terms: on the FCU, pilots tell the aircraft what they want; on the FMA, they verify how the aircraft has responded. An FCU selection alone does not confirm that the expected mode is active – the FMA remains the authoritative indication.

The FCU also supports the Airbus distinction between Managed and Selected guidance. In managed mode, the aircraft follows targets and profiles calculated by the FMGC, such as the programmed route or managed speed. In selected mode, the pilot directly commands a specific target using the FCU. As a practical rule, pushing a relevant selector generally engages managed guidance, while pulling it generally selects a pilot-defined target. After every mode change, pilots should check the FMA to confirm that the intended lateral, vertical, and autothrust modes are active or armed.

Route Awareness

Shows:

• Flight plan path
• Waypoints
• SIDs/STARs
• Active leg

Pilots monitor path tracking accuracy and anticipate turns.

Modes of ND

• ROSE – raw navigation awareness
• ARC – most used in flight, forward situational awareness
• PLAN – preflight review of routing

Mode selection changes how pilots brief procedures.

Navigation Raw Data

VOR/ILS/ADF indications can be overlaid for cross-check.

Professional practice:
Managed navigation must be backed by raw data awareness.

Weather Radar & Terrain

ND integrates:

• Weather radar
• Terrain display
• TCAS traffic

This makes it the main tactical planning screen.

How PFD and ND Work Together

Think of the A320 scan as:

PFD → ND → FMA → Outside → Repeat

Example during approach:

• PFD → speed & glide path stable
• ND → correct localizer intercept geometry
• FMA → LOC / G/S armed
• Outside → visual alignment

This loop is standard airline instrument scan.

What to Practice in Your A320 Session

The Flight Management Guidance Computer (FMGC) is like the aircraft’s digital brain – it helps the airplane know where it is, plan the flight route, and fly that route efficiently from takeoff to landing. Pilots enter their flight plan into the system, and the FMGC works with navigation sensors and the autopilot to guide the aircraft along its path, reduce workload, and make flying more precise and fun. 

Where the FMGC data comes from

The information entered into the FMGC does not come from “nowhere” – it is taken from official flight documents prepared before the flight.

• Flight plan – provided by the airline or company dispatch
  (route, alternates, fuel, cruise level)
• Weather briefing – from the airline, dispatcher, or meteorological services
  (winds, temperatures, weather at departure and destination)
• Aircraft data – from the aircraft documentation
  (aircraft type, performance limits)
• Load and balance sheet – prepared by the airline or ground operations
  (passengers, cargo, fuel)

For professional value, focus on:

• Instrument scan discipline
• FMA awareness
• ND mode usage
• Stable approach criteria
• Managed vs Selected mode transitions

The pilot’s job is not to “guess” – but to verify, enter, and monitor:

• Checks all documents for accuracy
• Enters the data into the FMGC via the MCDU (Multipurpose Control and Display Unit)

Pilots program the FMGC step by step before and during the flight:

Route – departure airport, destination, waypoints, airways

Runways & procedures – SID, STAR, approach

Aircraft weight – fuel, passengers, cargo

Performance data – takeoff speeds, thrust setting

Cruise level – planned altitude

Weather & winds – to improve accuracy and efficiency

• Cross-checks inputs with the other pilot
• Monitors FMGC calculations during the flight
• Updates data if conditions change

FMGC — what pilots enter and what it calculates

Once the data is entered, what to practice?

• Vertical profile – climb, cruise, descent path
• Optimal speeds – for fuel efficiency and safety
• Fuel prediction – fuel at each waypoint and on landing
• Time estimates – arrival time and waypoint timing
• Navigation guidance – lateral and vertical flight path

Autopilot commands – when managed modes are used

FAQ: How to Read the A320 Cockpit Like a Pro

Book your A320 FTD session in Fort Lauderdale” with the FTD

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Read Part 1 on SkyEagle for the pre-flight briefing by phase.