A320 FMGS creating turning point based on altitude
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Joined: May 2012
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From: Malaysia
A320 FMGS creating turning point based on altitude
Hello fellow aviators, any of you guys know if it is possible to create a waypoint on the FPLAN A pg in terms of altitude? i mean like, after taking off, a waypoint based on altitude instead of P/B/D, or P/D etc etc. You know, like the waypoints you usually see on the missed approach procedure, example 3000-> meaning at 3000ft right turn to etc etc..
Last edited by Airmen25; 29th August 2012 at 11:47.

Joined: May 2006
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From: FL510
Those are commands defined in ARINC 424 which are programmable but only when designing SIDs oder STARs with a software which can write the required format for the FMS.
Some FMS actually allow construction of those within the FMS (the UNS do I think) but on the Airbus there is no way to create such an instruction by the pilot.
(Well, you could select some departure which has a 3000' turning point and delete everything around it and use the point only, but in most cases this will not be practical as you can select only one departure.)
Some FMS actually allow construction of those within the FMS (the UNS do I think) but on the Airbus there is no way to create such an instruction by the pilot.
(Well, you could select some departure which has a 3000' turning point and delete everything around it and use the point only, but in most cases this will not be practical as you can select only one departure.)

Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Here and there
Some FMS actually allow construction of those within the FMS (the UNS do I think)

Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Asia
Its called a conditional waypoint, the only way you can create one is if you select the NO SID option, and that will give you and active leg from the RWY to the thrust reduction altitude which is pretty close to the minimum height for turns in IMC or night, unless other wise specified.
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From: Victoria
How about creating your place/bearing/distance waypoint. Make sure you've checked it 3 times!! Then vertical revision at your PBD +3000.
I have no idea if its possible to designate a left or right turn with that little arrow you see.
I had to do something similar on our secondary flight plan as our particular Navigation Database update did not have our company specific EOSIDs.
I would only have it as a reference pseudo-waypoint and would then go selected heading to turn left or right depending where the highest MSA is located.
I have no idea if its possible to designate a left or right turn with that little arrow you see.
I had to do something similar on our secondary flight plan as our particular Navigation Database update did not have our company specific EOSIDs.
I would only have it as a reference pseudo-waypoint and would then go selected heading to turn left or right depending where the highest MSA is located.


Joined: Sep 2011
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From: FL390
Good Lord man! Manual flying!? Whatever next?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 30
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From: Malaysia
Thank God for that. I thought for a moment you were going to fly with the autopilot out. Need a sit down and a stiff drink to recover after that little scare...
Last edited by Airmen25; 31st August 2012 at 09:26.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 30
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From: Malaysia
SW1
Yup, there was a new SID at a place called Johor code WMKJ in Malaysia the other day, had to fly there, so i had to construct the SID using PBDs n PDs. For the turning point right after departure, what we did was create a waypoint around 3-4 miles out initially, captain averaged the rate of climb to be okay, so, right after airborne, upon altitude, we just went for DIR to the next waypoint, problem solved, but, i was trying to figure out wether if we could make a turning point altitude based, guess not...
How about creating your place/bearing/distance waypoint. Make sure you've checked it 3 times!! Then vertical revision at your PBD +3000.
I have no idea if its possible to designate a left or right turn with that little arrow you see.
I had to do something similar on our secondary flight plan as our particular Navigation Database update did not have our company specific EOSIDs.
I would only have it as a reference pseudo-waypoint and would then go selected heading to turn left or right depending where the highest MSA is located.
I have no idea if its possible to designate a left or right turn with that little arrow you see.
I had to do something similar on our secondary flight plan as our particular Navigation Database update did not have our company specific EOSIDs.
I would only have it as a reference pseudo-waypoint and would then go selected heading to turn left or right depending where the highest MSA is located.

Joined: May 2006
Posts: 911
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From: FL510
Creating a PBD waypoint with an altitude constraint won't help.
If it is too close, the A320 will not try to make that altitude, just the contraint will turn amber and the MCDU will display "Altitude error at WPT".
If it is too far, it will carry on until the waypoint before turning even if it is higher already way before.
You could find a distance at which you will just reach this altitude, but it's not practical to do so as this distance will vary depending on aircraft weight, wind and all.
If it is too close, the A320 will not try to make that altitude, just the contraint will turn amber and the MCDU will display "Altitude error at WPT".
If it is too far, it will carry on until the waypoint before turning even if it is higher already way before.
You could find a distance at which you will just reach this altitude, but it's not practical to do so as this distance will vary depending on aircraft weight, wind and all.




