Airbus Type Rating: FULL MCDU Setup Tutorial | Real Airline Pilot

[@enrik2184]

Straight to the point with every option explained thanks, I liked the fact that you explained the "TO SHIFT", most KZbinrs simply skip those options.

[@ArrRoh]

I’ve watched so many MCDU setup videos and still I’ve learnt a heap of new things watching yours. Thank you. All the best for the type rating - enjoy a better sleep on those long haul routes, especially in that more automated cockpit 😂🎉 😴

[@A330Driver]

Thanks!

[@Vititi16]

Quick concise and straight to the point!!!!! Out of 10 I give u 1000

[@LeNinjaHD]

What app are you using for the briefing?

[@acewisdom7818]

I've learned a whole lot. Thanks, skipper. 👍

[@Ronald9540]

On the Init page, there is a Tropo entry. I believe this is the troposphere altitude. How important is it to set this to the (simbrief) OFP, and why does it actually matter?

[@frankbyte]

It should impact a bit your performance due to the temperatures being constant or increasing above the Tropo-altitude. This means it shouldn’t change anything if the TROPO is above your crusing altitude. But perhaps 737NG-Driver can confirm that 😊

[@A330Driver]

Frank is quite spot on here, the option matters because the temperatures change with the tropopause level (or rather: They stop changing with it). On a long haul flight that can make quite some performance difference. Overall it'll increase the accuracy of your predictions if you enter it. But it won't kill you if you don't, especially when you're using an uplinked flightplan and winds which also includes temperatures information.

[@Currrn]

Thanks for these mate. Have been looking forward to these videos! How have you been finding the transition from Boeing to Airbus?

[@A330Driver]

Thanks! The Airbus really is a great airplane, so complex, yet so simple to fly. The French really had some great pilot minded designers!

[@Wanderer1202]

@@A330Driver actually the original Airbus cockpit and flight system philosophy was designed by French, German and British engineers, also Porsche contributed significantly in the cockpit design. The current A350 chief engineer is British, so was the former A380 chief engineer. The current A320 family chief engineer is German. Legendary though is French Airbus engineer and test pilot Bernard Ziegler's public statement to the press about the A320 „Cet avion est tellement facile qu’il pourrait être piloté par ma concierge.“ (This plane is so easy that it could be flown by my concierge.)

[@simplicity6288]

@@Wanderer1202I don’t think he asked at all mate

[@Wanderer1202]

@@simplicity6288 ok. this is a comment section. one comments. no questions needed. as you did too.

[@mxtzz.2907]

Great tutorial and I learned lots from it! Does the new type rating mean a change in the channel name too?

[@A330Driver]

I haven't decided that yet, but any channel name would be announced well it advance. It won't happen that one day there is no more 737NG Driver.

[@What_If_We_Tried]

@@A330Driver Maybe create an Airbus playlist, or change your channel name to include A320 & 737NG in the description.

[@ctomz.]

Great video! Are you planning on doing more of these for entering approach information? If so I am very much looking forward to them. Hope the type rating is going well!

[@A330Driver]

Yes, absolutely! Thanks!

[@Antonio-1808]

Hej emi, FRAX5 in EOSID is a custom waypoint you created, isn’t it?

[@anslucasi0980]

Hi! Yes it's indeed a custom pilot waypoint, with a track of 247 at 25nm from the runway 25c. So if you look at blackbox711 at airport information you'll see the EOSID which tells you to climb straight ahead till 25 and hold. Instead of doing a custom waypoint you can just put "eddf25c/247/25" and create an EDP instead. You probably already knew this but it was just to give some context and answer your question and provide alternate methods. :)

[@A330Driver]

Hi, it's exactly as anslucas said. Nothing to add ;)

[@SrdjanSimic2001]

@@anslucasi0980 What is EDP?

[@hishamsky937]

The curser is too small , we don’t know which prompt are you pressing and fast in some points.

[@c0dexus]

I thought I knew that but learned new things anyway! Nice video!

[@A330Driver]

Glad to hear that!

[@ThomasOdler]

From where did you get FRAX5???

[@FlightSimFun26]

Awesome video as always! When you insert the FRAX5, why do you use 5 and not any other number? Also when you select the new destination in the Sec F-Plan, why don't you use the alternate airport, but the departure one? Other than this I learned SO MUCH, thank!!!!

[@imgroot7035]

Great video, as always!

[@arvindyt777]

Hey Driver Pilot! A Good One! Thanks for the effort put in. Suggestion: A Tad bit slow in speaking will make the points un-missable, since ppl watching this video would more or less be new! Nevertheless Thanks Mate!

[@martinstofko]

Awesome. Thank you for this! Very educational

[@A330Driver]

My pleasure!

[@TierOneAviation]

@A330Driver Hi I am new to the channel, your series are by far the best out there but I have one question, when you were setting up engine performance at 3:55 how do you find it out like “frax5”? How are we meant to know for airports like Dublin or Schipol for example? Thank you in advance!!

[@anslucasi0980]

Really nice video to setup the mcdu! I was just wondering about wind data, step climbs and the alternate route(for the alternate airport), when is it inserted? Specially in the a330 which is a long haul aircraft inserting wind data is really important I guess. Thanks for your videos and I hope you enjoy your new type rating.

[@A330Driver]

Thanks! If such data is available you would enter it, but since it's flight specific it's not part of the basic setup from the Airbus manuals. Of course, in a real flight, if you had any such data planned, you would enter it when you do your inputs on the associated pages. Winds would be uplinked together with the flightplan, step climbs entered when you do the F-PLN page. Alternate route is usually uplinked together with your flightplan as well.

[@anslucasi0980]

​@@A330Driverthanks! I really appreciate you answering, it makes my day! When I do the f-pls page I usually insert everything before moving on to the secondary but I know it depends on SOP and everyone does it differently, I just wanted to know how you do it :)

[@VlRUSOFFICIAL]

What briefing app is that if its ok to ask?

[@A330Driver]

SimToolKitPro

[@VlRUSOFFICIAL]

@@A330Driver thanks!

[@someone3.2007]

I don't think you need a whole 'nother flight plan for an engine failure on takeoff. Just ask for radar vector back to the airport

[@RealSheepShoop]

what did you use for the flight plan on the left?

[@chrispurkiss1491]

Very informative. Can't tell from images which flight planning tool you used. Also will the A320 follow the flight plan speeds and altitude settings? I am tying to get to grips with the FBW A320NX(Leap) and it's hard work for me at 83 years of age. Which aircraft are you using for video?? Thanks again.

[@daytrader66]

He says at the beginning that it's the Fenix A320 (payware version). I agree it's hard to tell given his accent and diction. I had to put the captions on to understand as I hear 'MX A320'. KZbin interpreted what he said as "Phoenix A320" which Google search then gave me 'Fenix A320'. It would be helpful if these details were in the video text details. Use Simbrief for flight planning.

[@KeysOfClassics]

Thanks! Can you make a video with a setup of holding positions as well?

[@B_Aviation]

Very nice tutorial, but do you get all this information in One class or in a set of days because Its lots of information

[@A330Driver]

Hi, the type rating is a three month course, theory takes about one month, then two month of sim training. The MCDU setup you should learn from the manuals during the self study phase, then you've got four sim sessions to put it to practice together with the rest of the normal proceudres, after which you're expected to know those.

[@ivanbarsovsky7713]

Great video! Very informative. Thank you.

[@BogusOp]

of course this only works if you have an external database for flightplans like simbrief because there is data you cannot get from the sim which is essential for the fmc to work

[@jdshemp]

What about downloading winds? do you have to individually down load from each page, Climb/Cruise/Decent, or just go to 1st page Climb and download? Either way I do it I continuously get the wind up link prompts in the scratch pad. Thanks Jim.

[@Nick100998]

Can you make a video giving some tips on how to maintain the glide slope and not over control the plane on approach and possibly an updated control sensitivity settings video? I love your videos!

[@A330Driver]

I like your idea, I'll put it on my list. As for control sensitivities, mine are all set to the default values.

[@Nick100998]

@@A330Driver is that 0% on the sidestick? Mine flight stick by default came -50 on msfs sensitivity.

[@davidvega1212]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you.

[@hernandogonzalezecheverri8567]

Excellent video capt

[@benediktmeuren9411]

Really helpful! Where can I find Eng out departure routes and noise abatement procedures (with the acceleration altitudes) for each airport? Thx for your help :)

[@Gtapolice123]

Need to change channel name to Bus Driver :P Jokes aside, very good content, and educational as always!

[@A330Driver]

haha, I'm thinking about it ;-)

[@digitalme4404]

why doesn't fenix pull in the cost index and crz flight temp from simbrief like the FBW?

[@aejnz]

omg! I was used to the 737's FMC, the 320 is more complicated hahaha😅

[@TierOneAviation]

What program is your written FMS on

[@bagwellross5961]

Awesome! Please bring out some more A320 tutorials. Do you usually set up the STAR and the arriving runway when still at the gate? I heard few other Airbus-Pilots saying that they are entering that data when the ATC told them, which arrival to expect.

[@A330Driver]

Thanks! I'm working on a full tutorial series now. We enter everything with the data we have during preflight as it gives the most accurate predictions. You can always change it later if things change in flight.

[@bagwellross5961]

@@A330Driver Good to know - Thank you!

[@bonkazzz]

what app are you using on thje left?

[@AC35K]

How do you keep the SimToolKitPro tab in front of the sim? It always closes when I try it? Sorry, may be a dumb question. Kannst du eventuell auch auf Deutsch antworten?

[@martinalvarez827]

Hello. Could you make a video analyzing the flight model of the A2A Comanche 250. I don't use msfs since I don't like their physics, but according to A2A in this addon they use an external flight model ultra realistic that does not depend on msfs. I am very interested in knowing your opinion.

[@A330Driver]

Hi, I'll check the Commanche out over the next couple of days. Quite busy with my Airbus rating at the moment.

[@martinalvarez827]

@@A330Driver For the training with the Airbus, do you use a level D simulator or the real aircraft?

[@MaisieAH]

How do u get sim brief

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

On the letter keypad - why do the N S E W keys have white borders/edges. I assume these are for direction North, South, East, West. Why are they highlighted with the white borders - is it just for visual reference or are the keys used for a specific input to the MCDU - if so when and how would you use the keys NSEW?

[@A330Driver]

Hi, it's really a leftover of the old days of IRS input. No special use for those nowadays anymore.

[@box-totielloqui]

I don't know, startups arent hard, understanding the systems and how navigating works isnt hard, but i cant... i just cant get around mcdu programming, that's why I always have to use Flight Sims with already integrated flight planning features, because it's just tlo much for me, i don't understand.

[@taisenju]

what sim are u using help a bro here

[@countryflyboy8255]

Good video. My main issue with the Airbus FMS is when I need to change my STAR arrival on route when I find that destination airport conditions have changed. Do I need to go in and manually delete all the previous STAR routing before I select a new RNWY and STAR? Because I tried to just select a new runway and star and it got all mixed up with what was already in the flight plan. I'm sure I am doing it wrong but I dont know the way around it.

[@chrisg8642]

Whats the program on the left hand side you are using?

[@A330Driver]

Simtoolkitpro

[@mattjones2003]

I am following as best I can but I still can't get autopilot to work. I end up just have to fly with heading select

[@A330Driver]

Have you tried to contact the developers support?

[@irenemengouli590]

Which do you think is more user friendly, A320's FMGS or B738's FMC?

[@A330Driver]

I really think both are about equal, it's just a different philosophy. You need to study for both and master both. Once done both provide about the same capability.

[@GeorgeLumkin]

@737NG Driver who / what do you refer to at the start of the video when you say the “CM1” (?) will have entered your departure airport etc? Who does this and when?

[@A330Driver]

Hi, "CM1" is Airbus language for "Crew Member 1", or the pilot in the left seat. CM2 would be the pilot in the right seat. They're not using the terms captain and first officer here because you might also have different crew compositions, such as a captain on the left seat, but a training captain on the right seat. Or a first officer on the left seat and a training captain on the right during the FOs command upgrade course. Or a senior first officer left and a first officer right during cruise in a long haul while the captain takes his rest.

[@pankaj8878]

Great video, one question regarding KEWR 22R SID that says clb to 500 ft, hdg190 after takeoff till 2.3 DME tracking ILSQ then proceed with hdg 220, how can we program this situation in MCDU. I am using Fenix A320 in MSFS2024 but by default it take me straight along the runway course following relevant SID. Looking forward to your response. Thank you!!

[@ZubairAhmed-sw7pf]

What is that software you are using for the flight planning

[@A330Driver]

SimBrief

[@simboyentertainmentclips]

What is you Flight Hour saving software? I have never seen this one

[@A330Driver]

Hi, it's SimToolKitPro. Great freeware!

[@phlip1]

3:56 , i didnt quite catch why you typed in FRAX5 , where does it say FRAX5 , im new to sim flying so id appreciate someone explaining , 5:24 FRAX5 is back i dont understand.-.

[@A330Driver]

It'll say that in your takeoff performance calculator. However that's info you only get in the real world, in flight simulation there are typically no engine out SIDs defined. I'm simply using the naming convention my airline is using (my past airline used the same even!).

[@phlip1]

@@A330Driver thank you for explaining

[@septchy]

Hi, wenns nicht zu nahe geht, für welche Fluglinie fliegst du?

[@Jan-ov5tm]

eirowings discover wahrscheinlich

[@ozstriker1984]

Can you do a video on how flight controls work on the a320. I’m having trouble flaring when landing. Am I supposed to hold back stick pressure, do I nose up then release to Center, I am not sure how to go about it.

[@A330Driver]

Hi, I'll have a more detailed video on it in the future, but for now: You need constant back pressure on the stick.

[@ozstriker1984]

@@A330Driver cool! Thanks for the tip.

[@zocopeta3290]

In the performance page, the shift you add the Meters from the start of the runway to the intersection or the lenght you etill have to take off?

[@Jan-ov5tm]

No, start of the runway to the intersection in m.

[@A330Driver]

As Jan said, it's start of runway to intersection used

[@iamra_n3189]

Top stuff!

[@andrizelly23]

What is name of the tools you reading the OFP?

[@JeffJrxx]

simtoolkitpro

[@andrizelly23]

@@JeffJrxx thnx

[@westoneichner8089]

Has anyone had problems when setting flex temperature on takeoff? Ecam blares at me saying I need flaps full as if I'm landing. I've been flying this a320 for almost a hear now and have tried everything.

[@Jan-ov5tm]

What is the problem exactly? You cannot enter the flex temp? You have to select a departure runway first.

[@A330Driver]

It worked fine for me so far.

[@jxk4500]

need an A2A commanche review mate

[@A330Driver]

Coming up ;-)

[@gwalker3092]

Very clear and informative tutorial. Thx again for this but forgive my ignorance but I don’t understand “CM1” reference

[@mlx39996]

havent watched the video yet but CM1 probably means crew member 1, aka the captain. CM2 would be the FO

[@gwalker3092]

@@mlx39996 thx for answer makes sense.

[@A330Driver]

I just explained it in more detail under another comment, let me copy and paste it here: "CM1" is Airbus language for "Crew Member 1", or the pilot in the left seat. CM2 would be the pilot in the right seat. They're not using the terms captain and first officer here because you might also have different crew compositions, such as a captain on the left seat, but a training captain on the right seat. Or a first officer on the left seat and a training captain on the right during the FOs command upgrade course. Or a senior first officer left and a first officer right during cruise in a long haul while the captain takes his rest.

[@gwalker3092]

@@A330Driver thx for the info, many combinations are possible so it makes sense. It’s a good way to write procedures/documentation without having worry about the combinations. Hope the sim sessions went well

[@danielw4796]

I Love your videos! You explain and entertain at the same time :) I do have a question about speed management in the Airbus: ATC often assign a certain speed, what's the quickest way to get the autopilot to fly that speed? In the 737 you just turn the speed dial... But that isn't working in the airbus...

[@A330Driver]

Thanks! There's two ways to do this: If the ATC assigned speed is close to the green dot, F or S speed and you're in approach simply activate the approach phase and fly it managed. If you're not on approach or the speed differs by more than about 5 knots from green dot, S or F speeds, then use selected mode.

[@realbloxgamingxd53]

Why did you switch to Airbus?

[@A330Driver]

New company, new lifestyle. The aircraft just comes with it. I would have flown any other type as well if it fitted my desired lifestyle better. It just so happened to become the A330, even though it actually is one of my favorite aircraft.

[@aimalsherzoy6717]

Good explanation, but you speek and click way too fast for my brain old to follow up :´(

[@mnsportsfan8889]

Dude, this is a tutorial. Slooow down.

[@markusfsxde]

#algo

[@Wanderer1202]

Is it really a tutorial to learn? or is it more like instructing a monkey to do a, so b happens? This is not the content one can learn much from. Sentences like "we check that the performance factor is correct" without explaining what would be correct, and what not, is pointless. Same with entering the cost index. "Here we enter 10". Great. But why? What's the parameter range? Flex TO Temp... "here we just enter 69 deg". always? Just give a less misleading title like "How to fake your way quickly through the A320 MCDU for sim beginners" instead of "FULL(!) MCDU Setup tutorial". For a more methodical initiation to the MCDU setup I recommend '320 sim pilot's' Airbus tutorials on youtube.