Engine Displays — Layout, Status-Indication Timing, Start Sequence
This article is the complement to Engine Indicating: 10 gave the parameter scales and red lines, this one gives the page layout, the timing of the status indications, and the start-sequence display — how to read the screens. The numeric values are not repeated here; they point back to 10.
1. The display split
- E/WD (Engine/Warning Display, upper ECAM): attention-getting box, thrust rating mode + limit, EPR, N1, N3, EGT, MEMO (IGNITION etc.), and the status indications AVAIL / IDLE / REV.
- ENG SD (System Display) page: N2, F.USED, OIL (QTY/PRESS/TEMP), VIB (N1/N2/N3), IGN, START VALVE, starter inlet pressure, NACELLE TEMP (left/right symmetric for the two engines), with FUEL/OIL FILTER CLOG amber wording.
The start-sequence area (zoomed) shows ignition (A = igniter A in use), the start valve symbol, and starter inlet pressure.
2. Attention-getting box
The attention getting box appears: ‐ In white during starting sequence (on ground or in flight)... ‐ In amber in case of significant failure affecting the engine.
Per DSC-70-90-40: white during a start sequence (ground or in flight), amber on a significant engine failure.
3. AVAIL / IDLE / REV timing
AVAIL — On ground, appears steady during 10 s after a successful start. In flight, pulses during 1 min after a successful relight. The AVAIL indication disappears when the flight crew moves the thrust lever forward the idle detent. / IDLE — Both engines are at idle speed, and the aircraft is in flight. Pulses during 10 s, and then remains steady. / REV in green: On ground, the thrust reverser system is fully deployed. REV in amber: unlocked. In flight, the REV indication pulses during 9 s and then remains steady.
Per DSC-70-90-40:
- AVAIL: ground, steady for 10 s after a successful start; in flight, pulses for 1 min after a successful relight; disappears when the thrust lever moves forward of the idle detent.
- IDLE: shown with both engines at idle in flight; pulses 10 s then steady.
- REV: green = fully deployed on ground; amber = unlocked; in flight, pulses 9 s then steady.
4. Start-sequence display
IGNITION INDICATION : The igniter A(B) is used... Both igniters A and B... START VALVE : fully closed / fully open / failed in the closed position / failed in the open position. STARTER INLET PRESSURE — Green: normal. Amber: abnormally high, or below 15 PSI (N3>8%, valve not closed).
Per DSC-70-90-40: IGN shows A(B) for the igniter in use, AB for both (start or continuous ignition); the START VALVE has four symbols — fully closed / fully open / failed closed / failed open; starter inlet pressure green/amber (values in 10).
5. Page switching and counterintuitive points
- IGN/START → the ENG SD page appears automatically (07); the start-sequence area shows IGN / start valve / starter inlet.
- Start finished → NORM → WHEEL (ground) / CRUISE (in flight) SD replaces it; if NORM is not selected, it is replaced automatically 15 s after all engines are running (DSC-70-80-30).
[!warning]- AVAIL is steady 10 s on the ground but pulses 1 min in flight Ground start AVAIL is steady 10 s; an in-flight relight AVAIL pulses for 1 min (DSC-70-90-40) — the relight wants more attention, hence pulsing and longer. It disappears when the thrust lever moves forward of idle.
[!warning]- The START VALVE has "failed closed / failed open" symbols Not just open/closed — also failed closed and failed open (DSC-70-90-40), a key to reading Start Faults.
Self-test
[!note]- Q1. What does each display show (layout)? E/WD: thrust rating mode / EPR / N1 / N3 / EGT / MEMO / AVAIL·IDLE·REV; ENG SD: N2 / F.USED / OIL / VIB / IGN / START VALVE / starter inlet / NACELLE.
[!note]- Q2. White vs amber attention-getting box? White during a start sequence; amber on a significant engine failure.
[!note]- Q3. AVAIL — ground vs in flight? Ground: steady 10 s after a successful start; in flight: pulses 1 min after a successful relight; disappears when the lever moves forward of idle.
[!note]- Q4. The START VALVE symbols? Fully closed / fully open / failed closed / failed open (four).
Key takeaways
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Split | E/WD = thrust/core (EPR/N1/N3/EGT); ENG SD = system (N2/OIL/VIB/start) |
| Attention box | white = start, amber = failure |
| AVAIL/IDLE/REV | AVAIL ground steady 10 s / in-flight pulse 1 min; REV in-flight pulse 9 s |
| START VALVE | four symbols (incl. failed open/closed); IGN A/B/AB |
| Page switching | ENG SD auto on start; replaced after NORM (or 15 s auto) |
References
- FCOM DSC-70-90-40 — E/WD + ENG SD layout; attention box (white/amber); AVAIL (10 s / 1 min) · IDLE · REV (9 s); IGN (A/B/AB); START VALVE four symbols; start-sequence display.
- FCOM DSC-70-80-30 — ENG SD appears on start; replaced after NORM (or 15 s auto).
- ENG SD page and start-sequence diagrams (FCOM) — layout and the start-area display.
Independent study material, not an Airbus publication and not endorsed by the manufacturer. Always defer to the current operator FCOM, FCTM, and QRH for operational use.