Copyright D.P. Browne 2011

Arming

Engagement

Disengagement

Guidance

Open Descent OP DES

The Open descent is a selected mode, activated by the flight crew when the Alt Knob on the FCU is pulled, and the aircraft is above the FCU selected altitude.

The Open descent mode does not arm.

The flight crew may engage the Open Descent mode when:

The aircraft is above the FCU altitude

LAND mode is not active

The FCU Alt knob is pulled

Loss of NAV mode whilst the CLB mode is engaged.

The Open Descent mode will automatically engage when an FCU speed is selected in expedite descent on the A320.

The open descent mode is disengaged if any of the following occur:

Another vertical mode is engaged

Selection of an FCU Altitude above the current aircraft’s altitude ( Reversion to V/S speed mode or FPA)

The Open Descent mode functions in the same way as the Open Climb mode, except the thrust level is set to idle. The aircraft maintains target speed by controlling the pitch of the aircraft.