Vertical track alert

Recognise VTA

VTA is a vertical-planning cue.

Read the FMS context.

FSS describes a magenta VTA indication that flashes in reverse video for five seconds, then remains steady. An aural alert also sounds.

VTA trigger

A constraint or TOD may trigger the documented alert.

FSS lists an alert within 1,000 ft of capturing an altitude constraint that differs from ALTSEL. It also lists alerts one minute before TOD or a step climb in cruise, and one minute before resuming a climb or descent from a constrained waypoint.

Check the restriction

Compare the active waypoint altitude with the chart and clearance.

Check ALTSEL

If a descent or climb is expected, verify that the next cleared altitude is selected at the appropriate time.

FMA response

The alert does not itself mean the aircraft has captured a path or begun a descent. Watch the actual active mode and trajectory.

A 9 November post described PTH and the VTA diamond moving before the reported TOD, while the aircraft reportedly held altitude until the TOD. The thread had no reply or diagnosis. Treat this as one unverified observation: use the FMA, selected altitude and actual vertical-speed/altitude trend to tell whether descent has begun. A centered VTA cue alone does not confirm that the aircraft is descending. Community-support report, 9 November 2026 ^[202].

The FSS VNAV page describes a step-climb alert. The roadmap ^[71] still lists MCDU step climb as work in progress, but the newer version 1.1.0 announcement ^[2] describes a reworked step-climb function. The two pages therefore disagree about its status. Check your installed version and the aircraft indications. ^[201]