Captain Strasburger

RNP AR Briefing Document: Getting to Grips with Required Navigation Performance with Authorization Required Date: February 2009 (Source Publication Date) Source: Airbus S.A.S. "Getting_To_Grips_With_RNP-AR.pdf" 1. Executive Summary This document provides a comprehensive overview of Required Navigation Performance with Authorization Required (RNP AR) operations, a significant advancement in Performance-Based Navigation (PBN). RNP AR optimizes instrument procedure design by leveraging advanced aircraft navigation capabilities, enabling reduced aircraft separation en route and optimized terminal area procedures. Unlike standard RNAV approaches, RNP AR procedures are characterized by very low RNP values (≤ 0.3 NM), curved flight paths, and precisely defined protection areas. These operations require specific airworthiness certification, stringent operational procedures, and specialized flight crew and dispatcher training, necessitating a "Special Aircraft and Aircrew Autho...

Topic: Minimum Autopilot Disconnection Heights – CAT I vs CAT II "Welcome back to the A320 Mentor Channel — the place where Airbus knowledge turns into pilot confidence. Today, we’re diving into a subtle, but crucial part of Airbus flying: minimum autopilot disconnection heights . CAT I, CAT II, CAT III — when exactly do you need to take over? And what happens if you don’t follow the rules? Stick with me, because this is one of those topics where the FMA tells you more than the chart ever will." CAT I — 160 ft AGL  *"Let’s start with CAT I . On a CAT I approach, with the FMA showing CAT 1, the rule is clear: the autopilot must be disconnected no lower than 160 feet above the ground . Now — here’s the catch. If you disconnect later, say at 100 feet or even at flare height, the airplane won’t suddenly misbehave. Technically, it’ll keep flying perfectly fine. But… and this is important… you’d be operating outside certification and FCOM limitations . In the event of an audit...

"Welcome back to the A320 Mentor Channel — your runway to mastering the Airbus A320 from the left seat, the right seat, or even from your favorite chair at home. Today… we’re going to clear up one of the most misunderstood topics in Airbus flying: when exactly can you disconnect the autopilot during an approach? It sounds simple… but the answer depends not just on the published approach category… it depends on what your FMA is telling you — in real time. Now before we roll down the centerline, let me just say — more than sixty-three percent of you watching haven’t subscribed yet. So, if you want to keep your flying sharp, your knowledge current, and your career moving forward… hit that subscribe button, give this video a thumbs up, and share it with your fellow aviators. Let’s keep the skies — and your skill set — safe." "Alright, picture this. You’re flying an ILS or MLS approach. The FMA shows CAT 1. That’s it — CAT 1. In this case, the minimum autopilot disconnecti...

  Inside the Cockpit: The Rise and Reach of the A320 Mentor Channel A Channel Born from Passion and Precision In the world of online aviation content, few names resonate as strongly as the A320 Mentor Channel . What began as a modest initiative has evolved into a cornerstone of flight training and aviation literacy, both for aspiring pilots and seasoned professionals alike. Created and run by a real-world airline pilot, the channel embodies a mission: to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real cockpit experience. When it first launched on YouTube, the A320 Mentor was aimed at simplifying complex aircraft systems—particularly those of the Airbus A320. But it quickly became much more. It offered clarity, context, and practical wisdom—delivered with the authority of someone who lives and breathes aviation daily. Demystifying the Airbus A320 for Every Level of Learner One of the biggest challenges in aviation education is the overwhelming complexity of systems. Airbus air...