alpha speed

triple7

triple7

Well-Known Member
So my buddy was jumpseating on a DC10 last week and the FO apparently got into an argument(on the ground) with the captain because the captain was flying in "alpha speed range" on final. the FO didnt like the idea, and let him know it....apparently in his previous airbus training they were told never to fly in alpha speed.

Can any of you jet guys give me a basic definition of Alpha speed and why you dont want to fly in it?

thanks
 
When an autothrottle system displays alpha mode it's saying: "This speed is too low, I'm commanding more power to save yours sorry butts." So most guys don't like to see it displayed.
 
On the CRJ (and ERJ I think) there is a little green line that floats up and down the airspeed tape and is considered the minimum safe speed. It moves with AOA, altitude, speed, configuration and probably some other things. However, it isn't a limitation of the airframe, but rather a computer derived number. I see captains go below it all the time when configuring between flaps 20 and getting the gear down. Is this a similar thing or is the alpha speed a hard limitation?
 
Or a 'selected' speed too. Some guys will blaze at 250 KIAS to about 15DME from the airport, roll the SPD CMD down to approach speed and then configure as you decelerate, arriving 1000 AGL configured, on-speed, etc.

But the SPD window will display 'alpha' until you've got the final bit of flaps in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top