A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 9600
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew FLC Overrode Automation; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
In cruise at FL380 at the VOR with the autopilot engaged we felt 3 separate uncommanded rudder inputs. They were separated about a minute each. After the third time the aircraft yawed and stayed in a side slip with about 3.6 units of rudder trim input. We then got the ECAM Message: AUTO FLT RUD TRIM1 FAULT. Captain continued flying and I executed the ECAM follow up (there was none) and consulted the ECAM Supplemental Manual for more information. The aircraft was under control; although uncoordinated; with the autopilot engaged so we agreed the safest course initially was to leave the autopilot engaged. I notified ATC and requested the longest runway for a landing at ZZZ. We were vectored to join the arrival to ZZZ and ATC cleared us to descend VIA. We declared unable since we were reluctant to use the speed brakes with the aircraft in a side slip. Below 8000 feet Captain slowed the aircraft; leveled off and disconnected the autopilot. With the autopilot off the trim was re-centered and the aircraft was again coordinated. Captain then transferred the controls to me; and we landed uneventfully. Failure of the Autopilot Rudder Trim system caused the aircraft to be in uncoordinated flight at high altitude. This failure had been written up previously by another crew and signed off as repaired by Maintenance in ZZZ1.
A319 First Officer reported uncommanded rudder inputs with the autopilot engaged due to rudder trim fault.