How to - Manage Radio Frequencies (Comm, Nav) & Transponder (XPDR / IFF)?

[richboy2307]

The A400M utilises a combination of the Radio Management Panel (RMP), MFD NAVAIDS page and TCAS Control Panel in order to manage VHF Communications (COMM), Navigation Radios (NAV) and Transponder (XPDR/IFF) respectively.  
 

COMM Frequencies Management  (RMP & ACP)

The RMP is located on the glareshield on both the CAPT/FO sides. It is primarily used to control COMM frequencies and set XPDR code.

To dial a frequency, use the keyboard to (5) to type the desired frequency (e.g 122.800 can be entered as 122800) into the scratchpad (6).

 

• Entry into STBY field: The typed frequency can be entered to STBY COM1 (V/U1) field by clicking LSK U2 (2) or STBY COM2 (V/U2) field by clicking LSK U3 (4) .
• Entry into ACTIVE field:  The typed frequency can be entered to ACTIVE COM1 (V/U1) field by clicking LSK U1 (1) or ACTIVE COM2 (V/U2) field by clicking LSK U3 (3) .

To swap the active frequency, for COM1 (V/U1) click the LSK U2 (2) or for COM2 (V/U2) click the LSK U4 (4)

To swap the active radio, you need to use the Audio Control Panel (ACP) which is located next to the PFD on both the CAPT/FO sides. It is used to control the active COMM frequencies, as well as choose the volumes and audibility of various other NAV aids.

For more information see: 

NAV Frequencies Management (MFD NAVAIDS page)

The Navigational aids frequencies such as VOR 1, VOR2 and ILS are managed via the MFD's NAVAIDS page. These are normally tuned automatically, however you can change and tune any beacon that you need here. 

There are multiple ways to access the MFD NAVAIDS page:

• Using the POSITION drop-down menu on the MFD
• Using the NAVAID button on the KCCU on centre pedestal

 

To manually select a VOR or ILS navaid, the process is the same, using the identifier(IDENT) which can be found on the charts. For example at GVAC, the VOR Sal's identifier is CVS. Meanwhile the ILS 01  identifier is SL.

To select the VOR1 IDENT box by moving the cursor over it and left-clicking on it. For tuning the ILS the process is the same except using the LS IDENT box instead.

 

Then use the keyboard to type in the desired IDENT. You can use the ENT or ESC key to exit the text box. In case there are multiple VORs/ILS using the same IDENT, the menu will ask you select the desired one, with their respective distances from current position shown for reference. 

  

Transponder (XPDR) / TCAS Management 

The Transponder code is set via the RMP, whereas the TCAS modes are controlled by the IFF/ TCAS Control Panel on the right side of the centre pedestal.

To select a XPDR SQWK code you you need to use the RMP on the glareshield. Use the keyboard (1) to type the desired squawk code into the scratchpad (2). Then use the L4 LSK (3) to add it as the active code. Use the CLR button on the keyboard to remove the confirmation message.

 

The various TCAS modes are toggled by clicking on their respective pushbuttons. The knob in middle is used to set the transponder to OFF, STBY or ALL/ON positions. The SYS switch is used to select the active system 1 or 2.