3. Cockpit Layout

3.1 General Layout
The Airbus A320 cockpit is designed for efficiency, clarity, and automation management.
It is divided into three main areas:
Overhead Panel (systems control)
Main Instrument Panel (flight information & automation)
Pedestal (thrust, navigation input, communication)
This standardized layout is identical across the A320 family.

3.2 Overhead Panel
The overhead panel is used to control and monitor aircraft systems.
Main sections include:
Electrical system
Fuel system
Hydraulic system
Air conditioning and pressurization
Anti-ice systems
Design principle:
“Dark cockpit philosophy”
→ In normal operation, no lights should be illuminated
→ Lights indicate abnormal or non-standard conditions

3.3 Main Instrument Panel
This is the primary area for flight control and monitoring.
Primary Flight Display (PFD)
Displays essential flight data:
Attitude (pitch & bank)
Airspeed
Altitude
Vertical speed
Navigation Display (ND)
Shows:
Flight plan route
Weather radar (if active)
Navigation aids
Terrain (if enabled)
ECAM Displays
The ECAM system consists of two screens:
Upper ECAM (E/WD):
Engine parameters
Warning and status messages
Lower ECAM (SD):
System pages (e.g. HYD, FUEL, ELEC)
Purpose:
To provide automatic system monitoring and assist pilots in abnormal situations.

3.4 Flight Control Unit (FCU)
The FCU is located on the glare shield and is used to control the autopilot.
Functions include:
Speed selection
Heading selection
Altitude selection
Vertical modes (climb/descent)
Key concept:
Managed Mode → aircraft follows flight plan
Selected Mode → pilot manually sets values

3.5 Pedestal
The pedestal contains systems used during active flight management.
Thrust Levers
Control engine thrust
Include detents:
IDLE
CL (Climb)
FLX/MCT
TOGA
MCDU (Multipurpose Control and Display Unit)
Used to interact with the Flight Management System (FMS).
Main functions:
Route planning
Performance calculations
Navigation management
Radio and Communication Panels
Used for:
ATC communication
Navigation frequency tuning

3.6 Sidestick
Each pilot controls the aircraft using a sidestick.
Characteristics:
Independent for each pilot
No physical linkage between sides
Inputs are processed by flight control computers

3.7 Summary
The A320 cockpit is designed around:
Automation
Clear information display
Efficient pilot interaction
Pilots are expected to:
Understand where systems are located
Use automation effectively
Monitor all systems continuously
A solid understanding of the cockpit layout is essential before performing operational procedures.