Airbus Safety Officer on Reliance on Automation

[Pachong]

My manual says turn the automagic on above FL 200.

What if its MEL'd?

 

[knot4u]

What if its MEL'd?

I can only assume you meant to put a and forgot.

 

[Pachong]

I can only assume you meant to put a and forgot.

Hahah wellllll, 200 seems just lower than I've ever heard before. Can't be flying against the book now, can we?

 

[knot4u]

Hahah wellllll, 200 seems just lower than I've ever heard before. Can't be flying against the book now, can we?

The inability to operate in RVSM airspace is normally a grounding issue where I work.

 

[mshunter]

Maybe Airbus will follow suit with future models.


Typhoonpilot

They sure as hell need to.

 

[jtrain609]

Right, but I think he is correct about the reg itself. Your procedures (and ours) are more restrictive than the FAR.

I'm fairly sure that at ASA it didn't have to be engaged. It just had to be operational. That may have changed since I left, but that was my memory. I remember that because we had conversations about it at least a few times during the merger with XJT.

You are correct.

 

[derg]

That was back in 97 or 98.... I always think about that when I'm back in "commuter seating."

The blades are hot so you won't feel it, right?

That's actually a really good study in CRM too. Pensacola.

 

[Kingairer]

We had an AA jumpseater last week in one of the oldest 320s. I asked him how old he thought it was.

"5.. maybe 10 years?"

"It's actually 25 years old."

"Wow! Not exactly the plastic throwaway airplane that all the Boeing people said it was"


I hand flew up to 18, then all automation off visual approach to 12 into MIA. There was also an MD-88 check airman in the other jumpseat. "It was fantastic to see an airbus guy actually turn it all off! I was beginning to think the airplane wasn't capable of that!"

It actually is a plastic throwaway airplane. That's why it looks so good still. All the plastic upfront can be replaced and looks like new. I flew an Old braniff one last week and the only real giveaway was the trim wheel had been repainted and looked like shcrap.

 

[z987k]

The inability to operate in RVSM airspace is normally a grounding issue where I work.

Not at most airlines. FL280 for you.

 

[WestIndian425]

I derive intense satisfaction from doing that, and blanking the FMA, on clear days.

Incidentally, I'm told our new SOPM states that we are to use the autothrottles the whole time.

Ah, that just means keep it on. Doesn't say anything about overriding it.

Oh, and I hope they fixed 106 and 116's knack for kicking the auto throttles off in flight.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

Ah, that just means keep it on. Doesn't say anything about overriding it.

Oh, and I hope they fixed 106 and 116's knack for kicking the auto throttles off in flight.

"If it ain't doin' what you want it to be doin', turn it off"

 

[WestIndian425]

"If it ain't doin' what you want it to be doin', turn it off"

No no no!! They mean TCS it!

 

[Autothrust Blue]

Hahah wellllll, 200 seems just lower than I've ever heard before. Can't be flying against the book now, can we?

I just glanced; it's in Operating Philosophy.

-shrug-

Being me, I put it on when I think I need it put on, and I turn it off, when I think I need to turn it off.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

No no no!! They mean TCS it!

 

[WestIndian425]

No show 'n tell? Is there any "FOQA data shows y'all are screwing the pooch on the CIVET, so let's talk about it, discuss some gotchas and now you're coming off position freeze, go get 'em"?

That's usually covered in the CBTs.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

That's usually covered in the CBTs.

Career aspiration: do not become an ASAP/FOQA "hot spots" CBT poster child.

 

[WestIndian425]

Career aspiration: do not become an ASAP/FOQA "hot spots" CBT poster child.

Amen, brother! And while we're on the subject, we don't want to be on those videos being interviewed about what we've learned from our experience.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

Amen, brother! And while we're on the subject, we don't want to be on those videos being interviewed about what we've learned from our experience.

Mode awareness.