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Chapter 8.9
ECAM
Introduction
The Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM) System is part of the electronic
instrument system (EIS) consisting of six screens, and provides the flight crew with assistance
in system management in both normal / abnormal conditions. This operational assistance is
given by the EFIS system plus two centre mounted CRT's identified as the:
The physical layout of both CRT displays is dependent upon the flight deck layout. The layouts
on the A320 and MD11 are respectively shown below.
Engine parameters.
Fuel on board.
Slats and flap position.
Warning and caution messages.
Memos when no failures exist.
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In this system information is derived from the various aeroplane systems, and after processing
in the following units, is displayed on the ECAM Display Units.
Flight Warning Computers (FWCs). These units generate all of the alert messages,
aural alerts, and vocal messages (Radio Height), which are derived:
DMCs, for the display of engine parameters and system page data.
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The ECP has the following functions:System Page Push Switches. If these switches are depressed the S/S display
changes to the corresponding system page, and also illuminates following a manual
selection, or when an advisory is detected.
STS Push Switch. If this switch is depressed the status page will be displayed on the
S/S display, but if there is no status message present, NORMAL will be displayed on
the CRT for 5 seconds.
CLR Push Switch. This switch will illuminate if a warning/caution message on the
ECAM display unit requires flight crew action or acknowledgement. Whilst the CLR
switch is illuminated, pressing it will change the ECAM display until all actions required
by the ECAM system have been carried out.
ALL Push Switch. If this switch is depressed, all of the system pages will be
successively displayed at one second intervals. This switch will also allow the system
pages to be successively presented in the case of ECAM control failure, and will allow
the flight crew to stop at the desired page.
EMERG Cancel Push Switch. If this switch is depressed any present:Aural Warning (including GPWS) will be cancelled for as long as the failure
condition is present.
Caution (CRT message + master caution + single chime) will be cancelled for
the remainder of the flight. The status page will then be automatically displayed
and the CANCELLED CAUTION message displayed, together with the title of
the failure, which was inhibited.
TO CONFIG Switch. If this switch is depressed a take-off power application will be
simulated, and a warning will be triggered if the aeroplane is not correctly configured for
take-off.
OFF / BRT Knobs. These knobs are used to control the on/off and brightness of each
ECAM display unit.
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Warnings
Cautions
Normal long term operation
For functions not in normal operation (switch in off position)
For action to be carried out
Failure Categorisation
The following categories of failure can occur on an aeroplane:Independent Failure. This type of failure only affects an isolated item of equipment or
a system, and will not affect any other systems in the aeroplane.
Primary Failure. This type of failure will affect an item of equipment or a system, and
will result in the loss of other systems in the aeroplane.
Secondary Failure. This type of failure will result due to the primary failure of an item,
or system.
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In normal operation the ECAM system eases the flight crew workload by eliminating the need
for frequent scanning of the various aeroplane system panels. For example, if the SEAT
BELT or NO SMOKING signs are on, or the APU is running, they will be displayed on the
E/W display unit as a memo message. Checklists will be additionally displayed on the memo
page during the take-off and approach phases of flight. Synoptic diagrams are routinely
presented on the S/S display unit, and are automatically adapted to the current flight phase, or
can be manually called up by the flight crew, using the ECP push buttons. The synoptic pages
are used to amplify system failures and switch selections that have been made in conjunction
with warnings displayed on the E/W display. Some system parameters are also continually
monitored throughout the whole flight, and are automatically displayed on the relevant system
page when their values drift out of the normal range, but well before the warning level is
reached.
In the case of a failure being detected by the ECAM system the following actions will occur:
The E/W display will present the warning and caution messages. The warning
message will include a failure title and any associated procedures, as well as the
title of the systems affected by the failure.
The master warning or master caution lights will illuminate.
An audio alert will be triggered.
The S/S display will present the affected system page.
The CLR push switch will illuminate on the ECP.
When all of the messages and synoptic diagrams associated with the failure have
been actioned by the flight crew, the CLR push button must be depressed until the
normal configuration returns, and the CLR push button is extinguished.
The sequence of events, which occur during a typical failure are detailed on pages 8.9.7
8.9.13 inclusive.
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Step 1
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Step 2
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Step 3
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Step 4
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Step 5
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Step 6
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