VOR/LOC function and AIRBUS

[southern25]

As far as i know AIRBUS aircrafts do not have a VOR/LOC function for cruise phase of flight but only fot the approach.Is this true ?Or is a useless utility used only from BOEING. Thanks in advance

[catchup]

The A300/310 has this function for cruise.

regards

[TopBunk]

Southern

the A320 family does NOT have a VOR/LOC feature on the aircraft. There are 2 flight phases where it can be used as a rule:

1. En-Route

Not really needed when you have triple IRS systems (+ possible GPS systems).

2. Approach

2.1 ILS Localiser only approaches
If you are performing a LLZ only approach, you can arm the LOC function to track the LLZ, and use either FPA or V/S to fly the vertical profile.

2.2 NDB approaches
Establish yourself on the inbound track and then use TRK to maintain the track (adjust as necessary, normally pretty good!). Use either FPS or V/S as above to fly the vertical profile.

2.3 SRA-type approaches
As per NDB approaches, but they give headings, so use HDG rather than TRK for the lateral (and monitor against the map etc!)

The Boeing facility is not useless! - on the old 737-200 VOR/LOC was often used en-route to track airways when the (primitive) area-nav failed, also when doing an LLZ only or VOR approach.