Airbus "Dual Input"
 

Has anyone ever had the experience of grabbing the stick to make a required control input without remembering to depress the Takeover PB? I understand the function of the Takeover PB, and its use was clearly demonstrated during initial training. However, after years of experience flying less advanced aircraft, it is instinctive to just grab the controls when a situation requires immediate intervention... remembering the Takeover PB is another matter. The "Dual Input" audio voice message is great for preventing the excursions from getting too large, but the maneuver still may end up being more aggressive than necessary, if the Takeover PB is not utilized. I would appreciate comments from all, especially Check Airmen and Instructors. For those of you teaching in the Airbus, is there additional emphasis placed on this issue, or do you just learn from experience.

Regards,
The Kid

Kid,

Why did you also put this on here if you also put it on Bluecoat ?

:rolleyes:

I posted here with the hope that I would get additional replies from pilots who are not on the Bluecoat mailing list.

The Kid

Bluecoat???

The Bluecoat Forum

An international e-mailing list on the subject of FMS, EFIS and EICAS displays, automated subsystems, flight mode annunciators, flight directors, autopilots, and the integration of all avionics equipment in the modern cockpit.

http://www.neosoft.com/~sky/BLUECOAT/

Thanks kid...

Aztec Kid,

If you are referring to the sidestick priority button, whci I assume you are, then this may help. I realise that you are familiar with this but I offer for background.....

The sidesticks are obviously not mechanically interlinked, but the Flight Control processor combines the two stick inputs and adds them together algebraically. In the event that two opposing stick inputs are made simultaneously, then they effectively cancel each other out. The last sidestick button pressed is the stick that has priority. This is accomanied by an audio call out"Priority Left" etc. Should the inactivated stick be moved, then a Red Arrow is illuminated on the glareshield and the active side will get a green arrow indicating that the opposite sidestick is being moved.

In the event that the aircraft is being hand flown, and a tweak is required, then as you say, due diligence must be exercised with regard to increased control rates. Having spoken with other instructors relating to SOPs with different carriers, it seems that some actually disable the Glareshield lights to prevent junior pilots being distracted (or disappointed?) should the Training Captain/NHP intervene.

In my company, the use of the sidestick priority button is demonstrated initially in the ground school, and an example of possible usages give, including sometimes, Crew Incapacitation during hand flying

I hope that helps.

Tailwinds