Go Around: FMS Procedures

A320/A330 Quick Study Guide

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This QSG (Quick Study Guide) takes an in-depth look at the go around maneuver from the
perspective of the FMS, using an example to describe all mode changes, flight phase
sequencing and the different color codes used by Airbus to present information. Effectively
programming the box prior to any approach and knowing the different possibilities
available will greatly reduce crew workload in case of go around while enhancing situation
awareness.
INITIAL DATA
Our flight destination is LEVC, and at present time we are stabilized on final approach ILS
RWY30, passing 500 AAL and waiting for visual contact. The missed approach procedure
is:
Climb on runway heading to 720, then turn right direct to SGO NDB
climbing to 3000 and hold.
Alternate is LEBL, and we have been thoughtful enough to key-in the complete route (via
SAURA-ASTEK waypoints) as well as the expected STAR and ILS approach to RWY07L.
This is a very good practice to avoid excessive workload in case of diversion and also to
have realistic fuel predictions.
So, this is what our PFD, ND and MCDU look like:

(PND is the FAP)

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F-PLN TO DESTINATION

But if we could stretch the MCDU screen to see the complete F-PLN, this is what wed see:

1 ACTIVE F.PLN (from waypoint: PND

to waypoint: LEVC30)

2 - MISSED APP PROCEDURE (climb on

RWY HDG to 720, then turn right direct
SGO climbing 3000and hold)

3 - DESTINATION AERODORME

F-PLN TO ALTERNATE

4 F-PLN TO ALTERNATE LEBL

5 - ILS APP RWY 07L LEBL

6 - MISSED APP PROCEDURE ILS RWY

07L LEBL

7 DESTINATION (LEVC30)

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1 ACTIVE FLIGHT PLAN

This part of the F-PLN is color-coded in green (except for the TO waypoint in white), and is
the only part of the flight plan that is automatically followed by the AFS, and where
predictions are available. Also, green waypoints are the only ones available to fly DIRECTTO.
2 - MISSED APP PROCEDURE
Color-coded cyan, is still part of the flight
plan to destination, although for the time
being it is not active but armed, so
NAVigation to those waypoints is not
available.
The last waypoint of the missed approach
procedure marks the end of the flight plan
to destination:
3 DESTINATION AERODROME
Automatically added after the F-PLN to destination for the purpose of auto-stringing the
previously flown approach at the end of the flight plan in case of go around. Color-coded
cyan.

4 and 5 F-PLN TO ALTERNATE LEBL INCLUDING ILS APP RWY 07L

During approach preparation, it is always a good practice to prepare the route, STAR and
approach to alternate. FMS will store it as a different flight plan, called ALTN F-PLN and it is
color-coded cyan.
6 - MISSED APP PROCEDURE DE LA APP ILS RWY 07L LEBL
Anytime an approach is loaded into the system, the missed approach procedure is also
incorporated at the end. Color-coded cyan.
7 DESTINATION (LEVC30)
While in F-PLN page, the last line of the display always presents the destination aerodrome,
ETA, distance and EFOB. Color-coded white.

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GOING AROUND
Reaching minimums we have no visual contact, so a go around is executed. PFD, ND and
MCDU change to:

FMA indicates TOGA thrust, maximum gradient climb (SRS) and NAV mode engages.
Additionally, TOGA signal is received by the FMS and flight phase is sequenced from
approach to go around.
Looking at the MCDU, the missed approach procedure is now color-coded green, indicating
that is part of the active flight plan and will be automatically followed by the AFS.

NOTE: some old A320/A330s and simulators (i. e. HK-04 and HK-05) will not automatically
engage NAV mode, but instead, GA TRK mode is engaged. In this situation, push HDG knob
(manage navigation), to manually arm and activate NAV mode.

PUSH

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Once above 720, a right turn is made to SGO, and passing 1500, thrust is reduced to CLB
and vertical mode reverts to OPEN CLB.
It must be noted that managed climb mode is not available and therefore constraints -if anywill not be honored.

Continue climbing to 3000, accelerating and cleaning up while flying to SGO to enter the
holding pattern. While in go around phase, the target speed is green dot and no predictions
are available:

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Now lets see what the flight plans looks like after triggering the go around phase:

F-PLN TO DESTINATION

1 ACTIVE FLIGHT PLAN (from

waypoint: 720->. To waypoint: SGO)
includes the complete missed approach
procedure

2 - APP PROCEDURE LEVC ILS RWY30,

automatically strung back into the flight
plan at the end of the missed approach
procedure, as part of the active flight plan.
It will not be automatically followed by the
AFS as a discontinuity has been created
3 - MISSED APP PROCEDURE

4 - DESTINATION AERODROME

F-PLN TO ALTERNATE

5 - F-PLN TO ALTERNATE LEBL

6 - ILS APP LEBL RWY 07

7 - MISSED APP PROCEDURE ILS RWY
07L LEBL

8 DESTINATION (LEVC30)

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1 - ACTIVE FLIGHT PLAN: MISSED APP

When go around phase is triggered, the missed approach procedure becomes the active
plan.
2 - APP PROCEDURE ILS RWY30
The previously flown approach is automatically strung at the end of the active flight plan,
separated from the missed approach procedure by a discontinuity. DIRECT-TO any waypoint
is available.
3 - MISSED APP PROCEDURE ILS RWY30
Also added automatically after the ILS approach as part of the flight plan to destination, but
NOT part of the active flight plan. Color-coded cyan.
4 to 8 DESTINATION AERODROME (LEVC) AND ALTN FLIGHT PLAN
Remain unchanged.
GOING AROUND: TRY AGAIN

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ATC reports an improvement in weather conditions, clears to proceed direct to 10 DME VLC
VOR and we decide to retry the approach, so all we have to do is DIRECT-TO 10VLC
waypoint.

Then, when entering the initial approach area, approach phase has to be manually activated
and the new ILS approach is normally flown.

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GOING AROUND: DIVERT

Weather conditions at destination are not improving, so we decide to divert to our alternate
LEBL.

Well use ENABLE ALTN, at the TO waypoint:

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Now our destination is LEBL, our TO waypoint is still SGO, and a discontinuity is generated
below.

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Furthermore, FMS has changed from go around phase to climb phase, with default cruise
level FL100 if the distance to the alternate is under 100NM, FL220 if between 100 and
200NM and FL310 if more tan 200NM.
Managed climb speed is ECON CLIMB with cost index 0 (usually limited to 250 Kts below
FL100) and all predictions are recalculated for our new destination

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Stretching the MCDU screen once again:

Active flight plan now includes the missed

approach procedure as before, but also
the complete route + STAR+ ILS approach
RWY 07L at our new destination LEBL.

Additionally, the missed approach

procedure is automatically added after the
ILS approach (climb on RWY heading to
3000 and expect ATC instructions).

DEST is now LEBL07L

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All we need to do now is DIRECT-TO waypoint SAURA in our MCDU and manage altitude
22000 in our FCU to fly the selected route to LEBL, climbing FL220 and continue our flight
to LEBL according SOPs:

This document is current to FCOM Revision 18 DEC 2012

Comments and suggestions: luis.dorado@gmail.com

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INTENTIONALLY BLANK

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