The ECAM consists of two central screens that monitor aircraft systems:
The Flight Control Unit is the interface for the autopilot. Pilots use it to dial in headings, altitudes, and speeds.
Houses system controls (Fuel, Hydraulics, Electrical, Air Conditioning). It follows a "push-to-dark" logic—if no lights are on, the system is running normally.
A massive library of technical manuals and system diagrams for the A320 family.
He pointed to the outer two. "PFDs. Primary Flight Displays. This is where you live. Attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading. It is the 'T-scan' layout—the basic 'T' that pilots have used for decades, now digitized."
Several resources offer detailed, annotated diagrams of the A320 cockpit:
Airbus is not resting on its laurels. The cockpit design is currently undergoing a "Neo-Plus" evolution. While the physical layout of the PDF will remain stable, the software interfaces are changing.
Elias then pointed forward, to the angled panel that sat beneath the main windscreen, often called the "glareshield."
Sites like SKYbrary or dedicated A320 simulation training sites.
Pump switches for wing/center tanks and controls for Green, Blue, and Yellow hydraulic systems. Pneumatics & Air Conditioning: Bleed air controls and cabin pressure management. Fire Protection:
Pilots use these to manually command the aircraft's path.
Located directly in front of each pilot, the PFD shows attitude, speed, altitude, and heading.
(Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor): Two central screens showing engine data and system warnings. : The central console between the seats containing: Thrust Levers : Controlling engine power.
Located above the pilots' heads, the overhead panel is the centralized command center for most of the aircraft's core systems. It is logically arranged from left to right and top to bottom.
Lights only illuminate on buttons when a system requires attention, an override is active, or a fault occurs. If everything is operating normally, the overhead panel remains unlit.
Short-term autopilot interventions and screen configurations. PFD, ND, Upper & Lower ECAM Primary flight instruments and system monitoring displays. Overhead Panel Hydraulics, Fuel, Electrics, Fire Panels System management and emergency flow routines. Center Pedestal MCDU, Thrust Levers, Flaps, RMPs
Displays the flight plan, weather radar, and TCAS (traffic) information.
Positioned immediately inboard of the PFD, the ND provides lateral situational awareness. It displays the active flight plan route, weather radar overlays, TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) alerts, terrain data, and ground speed information. Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM)
Displays a static map oriented to True North, allowing pilots to step through the flight plan entered in the computer. Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM)
