After Landing and Taxi to Gate
This guide will explain the correct procedures after we have landed and vacated the runway, and will also cover taxiing to the designated gate.
Disclaimer
This is for simulation purposes only.
The level of detail in this guide is meant to get a Airbus A380 beginner from the runway to the designated destination gate.A beginner is defined as someone familiar with flying a GA aircraft or different types of airliners. Aviation terminology and know-how is a requirement to fly any airliner, even in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Prerequisites
Aircraft has vacated the runway completely and has been brought to a stop on the taxiway as per previous chapters.
Chapters / Phases
This guide will cover these phases:
1. After Landing
Situation
- Aircraft has vacated the runways completely and has come to a stop on the taxi way as per previous chapters.
- Flaps and Ground Spoilers are still deployed.
- ATC has been informed that we vacated the runway.
Simulation vs. Real Life
In real life, the A380 will have two pilots who can actually do things in parallel. Talking to ATC, taxiing the aircraft and doing the after landing tasks.
In the simulation we are typically alone, so it is perfectly fine to stop once we have fully vacated the runway and do these things one after the other.
After Vacating the Runway
What and why
After landing, we need to prepare the aircraft to taxi to our assigned gate. To do this, we need to follow a few steps and disable some systems that we will not need any longer since we are safely on the ground.
This includes making sure that you have contact to ATC Ground, and that you receive the correct taxi instructions. Also you will prepare the aircraft for taxiing by setting up the aircraft systems for taxiing.
RADIO FREQUENCY ....................................... AS ASSIGNED BY ATC
AUXILLIARY POWER UNIT MASTER SWITCH ................................... ON
Radio Frequency
ATC Tower will usually hand us off to ATC Ground, and they will give us taxi instructions for our destination gate. Write them down and read them back as usual, but you don't have to move immediately unless ATC explicitly tells you to. Online ATC controllers understand that the after-landing-tasks do take some time.
If you did not get any frequencies from ATC, you can use the airport charts to find the correct frequencies for EDDM.
TODO: change to EDDF
GROUND SPOILERS ................................................... DISARM
FLAPS ............................................................ RETRACT
AUXILLIARY POWER UNIT START ........................................... ON
Starting the APU
Once we are safely off the runway and on to our assigned taxiway, we need to start the APU. We are doing this to ensure the aircraft will still have electrical power and air conditioning and circulation once we complete our taxi to our assigned gate. Upon reaching the gate, our engines will need to be shut down, and we are still going to need power for a little bit while we focus on shutting the airplane down.
TODO: update/screenshot
ENGINE START SELECTOR ......................................... CHECK NORM
ANTI-ICE ..................................................... AS REQUIRED
How and Where
TODO: add howto and screenshots for steps up to this point
Exterior Lights
What and Why
The exterior lights are used to make the aircraft more visible to other traffic and ground personnel. The lights are used to signal the aircraft's intentions and to make the aircraft more visible in low light conditions.
LANDING LIGHTS ....................................................... OFF
STROBE .............................................................. AUTO
OTHER EXTERIOR LIGHTS ........................................ AS REQUIRED
NOSE ................................................................ TAXI
RUNWAY TURN OFF LIGHTS & CAMERA............................... AS REQUIRED
How and Where
TODO: update/screenshot
TODO: add link to this:
https://docs.flybywiresim.com/pilots-corner/a32nx-briefing/flight-deck/ovhd/ext-lt/#external-lighting-configurationPrepare for Taxi
What and Why
The aircraft needs to be prepared for taxiing to the gate. This includes setting up the aircraft systems for taxiing and ensuring that the aircraft is ready to taxi to the gate.
AIRPORT NAVIGATION DISPLAY RANGE..................... ZOOM, AS APPROPRIATE
EFIS TAXI..................................................... AS REQUIRED
WEATHER RADAR ...................................................CHECK OFF
Weather Radar
The A380X does not have a weather radar system implemented yet as the simulator does not allow access to the weather data to implement a proper weather radar system. This is a feature planned for the future when the simulator allows for it.
BRAKE TEMPERATURE ................................................ MONITOR
Brake Temperature
You can monitor the brake temperature on the WHEEL SD page. Verify the temperatures for discrepancies and high temperature (higher than 500°C).
TODO: update for A380 hot brakes OP
How and Where
Change Frequency using the RMP panel:
TODO: update/screenshot
Disarm the Ground Spoilers using the Spoiler Lever:
TODO: update/screenshot
TODO: add screenshot and how to for the above steps
AFTER LANDING CHECKLIST ......................................... COMPLETE
After Landing Checklist
A/THR MODE ........................................................ AS REQUIRED
EXTERIOR LIGHTS ........................................................... SET
SPLRS .................................................................. DISARM
FLAPS ....................................................................... 0
APU ..................................................................... START
This concludes After Landing
2. Taxi to Gate
Situation
- Aircraft on taxiway directly after runway.
- After Landing checklist is completed.
- ATC Ground has given taxi instructions.
Taxiing
Make sure to also read the Taxi section of the Engine Start and Taxi chapter. Use your charts to follow the ATC taxi instructions to the designated gate.
Only use taxiways approved for the A380
The A380 is a large aircraft and not all taxiways are approved for the A380. Make sure to follow the taxi instructions and only use taxiways that are approved for the A380.
How to Cross a Runway
When approaching a runway, always ensure you have ATC permission to cross it. Ask ATC for
permission to cross the runway and read back the instructions. Always ensure maximum safety
when crossing.
When approved to cross a runway (active or not) perform the following actions:
- Look out the windows and visually ensure that there are no visible aircraft to your left and right.
- Turn on extra lights to ensure your aircraft is visible when crossing:
- Strobe lights - Set to ON
- Inform ATC you have vacated the runway if required.
Warning
NEVER cross a runway without express permission from ATC and providing a read back of said instructions. Always ensure maximum safety when crossing.
ATC CLEARANCE .................................................. OBTAIN
LANDING LIGHTS ..................................................... On
STROBE LIGHTS ...................................................... ON
After you have crossed the runway and are on the adjacent taxiway, turn the strobe lights back off, and notify ATC you are clear of that runway.
STROBE LIGHTS ..................................................... OFF
LANDING LIGHTS .................................................... OFF
Turning into the Gate
NOSE LIGHTS .................................................. AS REQUIRED
RWY TURN OFF LIGHTS ...........................................AS REQUIRED
Turning into the Gate
When turning into the gate, turn off your NOSE light and your RWY TURN OFF lights to not
blind the ground personnel. This of course is only done if enough lighting is available to safely
navigate and park into the gate.
TODO: update/screenshot
This concludes Taxi to Gate
Continue with Powering Down