Airbus A320 Cockpit Layout Pdf -

✅ Legal & free sources:

⚠️ Copyright note: Full FCOM or QRH documents are copyrighted by Airbus. Avoid pirated copies. Public “cockpit layout” posters for educational use are generally safe.


The Airbus A320 cockpit is designed with a "Forward-Facing Crew Concept," organizing controls into four primary physical sections to streamline pilot operations Primary Cockpit Sections Overhead Panel

: This panel contains critical system controls (Electrical, Hydraulic, Fuel, and Air Conditioning) arranged in a logical flow from top to bottom and left to right. It includes: (Air Data Inertial Reference System). Oxygen and Fire Protection and external lighting switches. Glareshield : Located directly below the windshield, it houses the Flight Control Unit (FCU) for autopilot and flight director settings, as well as the

(Electronic Flight Instrument System) control panels for both pilots. Main Instrument Panel : Features six identical liquid crystal display units:

(Primary Flight Display): Shows attitude, altitude, and airspeed.

(Navigation Display): Provides horizontal navigation and weather data.

(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. Airbus A320 Cockpit Layout Pdf

(Multipurpose Control and Display Units): For programming the Flight Management System. Communication Radios , Flap and Slat levers, and the Speed Brake handle. Essential PDF Resources

Several comprehensive guides and diagrams are available for deep study: A320 Flight Deck Overview

: A detailed digital briefing provided by FlyByWire Simulations, excellent for both flight sim users and real-world enthusiasts. A320 Cockpit Panel Guides (Scribd)

: Includes 18 pages of detailed system diagrams for the A319 and A320. A320 Normal Procedures (TheAirlinePilots)

: A procedural guide focused on checklist flows and cockpit preparation. Chuck's Guides: A320 Tutorial

: A visual-heavy tutorial that simplifies the complex layout for beginners. , such as the Overhead or the Pedestal? Detailed A320 Cockpit Guide (FSX - Aerosoft A320)

The Airbus A320 Cockpit: A Masterclass in Human-Machine Integration ✅ Legal & free sources:

The Airbus A320 revolutionized commercial aviation when it entered service, primarily due to its cockpit design. It introduced the concept of the "Glass Cockpit" and Fly-by-Wire (FBW) technology to narrow-body airliners, replacing traditional heavy mechanical linkages with electronic interfaces. 1. Fundamental Design Philosophy

Unlike its Boeing counterparts, which retain a central control yoke, the A320 uses a sidestick located on the outboard side of each pilot. This design choice frees up space directly in front of the pilot for a folding table, which is used for managing flight charts or meals. 2. Main Instrument Panel Layout

The A320 cockpit is organized into several key areas, designed for a highly automated and integrated workflow:

Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS): The main display consists of six identical Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) units.

Primary Flight Display (PFD): Shows critical flight data like airspeed, altitude, attitude, and vertical speed.

Navigation Display (ND): Displays the flight plan, weather radar, and terrain information.

Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM): Centrally located, these screens provide the crew with data on aircraft systems (engines, hydraulics, fuel) and provide checklist guidance during emergencies. 3. Key Control Interfaces ⚠️ Copyright note: Full FCOM or QRH documents

Flight Management and Guidance System (FMGS): Pilots interact with this via the Multipurpose Control and Display Unit (MCDU) located on the center pedestal. It is the "brain" used to program the flight route.

Flight Control Unit (FCU): Located on the glare shield, this panel allows for tactical control of the autopilot, including headings, altitude targets, and vertical speed.

Overhead Panel: Houses controls for the aircraft’s primary systems, including electrical, air conditioning, and fire protection. It follows a "dark cockpit" philosophy, where lights only illuminate to indicate a fault or a change in status. 4. Training and Simulation

Modern flight training for the A320 focuses on "flows" and procedures that leverage this automation. Simulators for the aircraft range from compact solo-training units (approx. 150 cm x 150 cm) to full-motion Level D simulators used for airline certification.

The Striking Differences Between The Airbus A320 & Boeing 737 Cockpits


The Airbus A320 cockpit represents a watershed moment in aviation history. Introduced in the late 1980s, it was the first commercial airliner to utilize Fly-By-Wire (FBW) technology and feature a Glass Cockpit design that replaced traditional analog gauges with Electronic Instrument Displays. This report details the spatial layout, the functional zones of the Main Instrument Panel (MIP), the overhead panel logic, and the side-stick controller implementation.


  • FCU (Flight Control Unit) – altitude, speed, heading, vertical speed selectors.
  • MCDU (Multi-Function Control and Display Unit) – two units for flight planning and performance.
  • A perfect Airbus A320 Cockpit Layout PDF should include the following legends:

    | Panel | Critical Controls | Color Code (in PDF) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Glareshield | FCU (SPD, HDG, ALT, V/S) | Grey | | Main Panel | 6 LCDs (PFD, ND, E/WD, SD) | Blue | | Center Pedestal | Thrust Levers, Flaps, MCDU, RMP, Parking Brake | Green | | Overhead (Fwd) | BAT, APU, Ext Pwr, Fuel Pumps | Yellow | | Overhead (Aft) | Hydraulics, Air Bleed, Electrical | Orange | | Sides | Sidestick, Rudder trim, Chart holder | Red |


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