YOUR FIRST COMPANION · REVISION 3.1

Beginner
Companion.

Get to know the aircraft, one useful question at a time.

EDDFFRANKFURT ───────→ LONDON HEATHROWEGLL

Beginner explanations, systems and practical workshops for the Fenix V3 A319, A320 and A321. Follow a complete training flight from Frankfurt to Heathrow.

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WELCOME ABOARD

Frankfurt to Heathrow: let us build a flight →How to use the pictures, sources and worked example →

HOW FENIX ARRIVED HERE

Why this particular Airbus attracted so much attention →A cockpit worth returning to →What Version 3 adds to the story →

AIRCRAFT AND COCKPIT SETUP

Choose the aircraft before planning its flight →A family resemblance, with differences that matter →A first look around the working cockpit →

BRINGING THE AIRCRAFT TO LIFE

Before the cockpit comes to life →External power: connected, available and supplying →Changing the power source without getting lost →ADIRS: helping the aircraft establish its references →Starting the APU and finding out what it supplies →Air for the engine start: follow its route →Making the cabin comfortable, one zone at a time →Cabin altitude: a different altitude from the one you fly →Hydraulics: the force behind the movement →Fuel: the amount, its location and its path to the engines →Your controls, the computers and the moving surfaces →Ice protection: find out which part is being protected →Fire and oxygen checks: watch the response →Doors, slides and Cabin Ready: three different confirmations →Lights, signs and the cabin services behind the scenes →

MCDU AND FLIGHT PLANNING

MCDU preparation: build a consistent set of data →DIFRIPPS: a structured preparation and review →EDDF-EGLL: the exercise dataset →DATA: aircraft identity and V3 database management →Manual database import and post-activation checks →INIT A: identity, planning assumptions and position →F-PLN: departure, airways and route geometry →Discontinuities, vectors and constraints →RAD NAV: deliberate tuning and independent checks →INIT B: loading, field order and predictions →PROG: navigation and prediction crosschecks →PERF: calculate, transfer and verify →SEC F-PLN: prepare the alternative before it is needed →Route import: retain the operational review →

STARTING THE ENGINES

Before start: close the preparation loop →Engine start: follow the sequence to stable idle →CFM56-5B and IAE: interpret the installed engine →Thrust detents, rating and autothrust →After start: establish the taxi configuration →

TAXI, GUIDANCE AND TAKEOFF

FMA: the guidance and thrust crosscheck →FCU selections: clearance, target and mode →Taxi: control the geometry and workload →Before takeoff: reconcile data, aircraft and clearance →Takeoff: verify the response while flying the aircraft →Thrust reduction, acceleration and cleanup →

CLIMB AND CRUISE

Managed climb, open climb and level capture →Cruise: keep the predictions connected to the flight →

PREPARING THE DESCENT

Prepare Heathrow before the descent workload arrives →PERF APPR: references, minima and approach speed →Descent modes and energy management →V3 descent logic and level deceleration →Vectors, DIRECT TO and holding →

APPROACH AND LANDING

ILS: identification, capture and missed-approach setup →Configuration and deceleration on the approach →Stabilisation and the decision to continue →Flare, thrust reduction and touchdown →Rollout: confirm deceleration and retain control →Go-around: establish the new path before the new plan →Autoland, non-ILS and visual approaches →

BACK AT THE GATE

After landing and taxi to the stand →Shutdown, power transfer and the next sector →

MAKING THE NEXT FLIGHT EASIER

Hardware calibration and reproducible troubleshooting →ECAM: indications, actions and the remaining status →ACARS, loadsheets and loading reconciliation →Use the EFB as part of the workflow →Debrief the result and choose the next exercise →V3 build notes - 26 October 2026 →

BeginnerCompanion.