Narrative:

The first officer; non flying pilot; I arrived at the airplane 45 minutes prior to departure. Completed the exterior preflight and started the flight deck preflight. The FMS had been changed to the new FMS. The day prior; really; I had reviewed the FMS 'briefing pages'. I had read the first few pages thoroughly then started to get confused because the pictures shown in the briefing stated that they did not match the box installed. I assumed it would be intuitive. Having flown the A320 a year; I am not a 'wiz' with the box; however; certainly comfortable. This is when the preflight goes from typical to very; uncomfortable. The captain arrives with the paperwork and we get to work together on the FMS. Numerous interruptions; customer service; maintenance; fuel....typical; but the captain and I are working on what has become a very involved; confusing and frustrating preflight preparation; because I certainly and I assume the captain as well; felt very unprepared to program this FMS. With the clock running; interruptions; and the importance of having it done correctly the first time; was very unnerving. I have never felt less prepared for a flight at this airline in my nearly 13 years. Not confidence inspiring for anyone. At the very least a software program for people like me to work with prior to going live would have been helpful. I am sure with a little practice it will go fine next time. But being in the airplane this time; the first time; and being that uncomfortable is simply intolerable.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An A320 First Officer reporter that his Company changed the FMGC system and gave crews a 'Briefing Paper' to prepare them for the change. The Reporter and his Captain had a great difficulty programming the new system for the first time.

Narrative: The First Officer; non flying pilot; I arrived at the airplane 45 minutes prior to departure. Completed the Exterior Preflight and started the Flight Deck preflight. The FMS had been changed to the New FMS. The day prior; really; I had reviewed the FMS 'Briefing pages'. I had read the first few pages thoroughly then started to get confused because the pictures shown in the briefing stated that they did not match the box installed. I assumed it would be intuitive. Having flown the A320 a year; I am not a 'wiz' with the box; however; certainly comfortable. This is when the preflight goes from typical to very; uncomfortable. The Captain arrives with the paperwork and we get to work together on the FMS. Numerous interruptions; Customer Service; Maintenance; Fuel....typical; but the Captain and I are working on what has become a very involved; confusing and frustrating preflight preparation; because I certainly and I assume the Captain as well; felt very unprepared to program this FMS. With the clock running; interruptions; and the importance of having it done correctly the first time; was very unnerving. I have never felt less prepared for a flight at this Airline in my nearly 13 years. Not confidence inspiring for anyone. At the very least a software program for people like me to work with prior to going live would have been helpful. I am sure with a little practice it will go fine next time. But being in the airplane this time; the first time; and being that uncomfortable is simply intolerable.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.