Definition

In integrated automatic flight systems for modern aircraft, a Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA) indicates the status of selected vertical and lateral flight modes, as well as thrust setting modes. 

Description

The Flight Mode Annunciator, usually located across the top of the Primary Flight Display (PFD), indicates the various flight modes that are armed or active. Most of these selections are normally made on the aircraft’s Guidance Panel. Training programs emphasize that pilots should not just press a button to make a selection; they should then check the FMA to ensure the system is functioning as intended. (In simple terms, pilots tell the aircraft what they want it to do by making selections on the Guidance Panel, and by other means such as the Go-Around buttons on the throttles. The aircraft tells the pilots what it’s doing, and what it’s about to do, by the symbols on the FMA.)