NOTAM
TRAINING GUIDE FOR AIRBUS AIRCRAFTS {PART I}
INTRODUCTION
First of all, I would like to express my thanks to all for taking part of growth of the
QATAR AIRWAYS VIRTUAL "The Worlds Five Star Virtual Airline". It’s a pleasure to
work with you all, especially on behalf of our C.E.O Hamza Ali.
This NOTAM is intended to let our pilots know about few mistakes we have found by
checking the filed PIREPS.
We found many times, our pilots exceeds the maximum speed they can fly the plane at
certain configurations depends on the phase of their flight. Through this manual, we will
help you to avoid such problems and conduct a safe flight.
AIRBUS PLANES
First of all i would like to describe a little about the speed tape indications you can see in
all Airbus fleets.
Usually Airbus planes use different type of flap settings for takeoff.
1) Flap 1 setting (1/F)
2) Flap 2 setting (2/2)
3) Flap 3 settings (2/3)
Even though Airbus has 4th flap setting, But it is not recommended for takeoff.
Pilots can decide the appropriate setting based on the conditions like weight, Take off
thrust, Take off configuration, Temperature, Slope of runway etc.
After taking off, retracting flaps, slats and landing gear needs special attention as the
plane changes to climb phase and increases speed. Lack of precise retraction will result
in planes tendency to over speed the plane at dirty configuration and may result in
severe damage to the airframe there for safety of the plane may not guaranteed.
AIRBUS SPEED TAPE INDICATIONS
SELECTED SPEED
Pilots can select a speed via FCU or FMC. Blue color indicates selected speed is used
by FCU selection, i.e. in the autopilot window. Its known as SELECTED SPEED.
Magenta color represents the speed is being used from the FMC. It’s known as
MANAGED SPEED.
CURRENT SPEED
Indicates the present speed of plane.
GREEN DOT
It represents the minimum speed the plane that has to maintain at cruise phase of the
flight. When slats used, It will be replaced with “S” and if flaps been used it will be
replaced with “F”. If the plane is flying on MANAGED SPEED, even if the requested
speed is below the GREEN DOT, the aircraft will maintain the least speed it should fly
i.e. GREEN DOT speed.
MAXIMUM FLAP OPERATING SPEED
It’s the speed at which the plane is allowed to use its next flap setting. When pilots
decides to use the next flap or slat setting, always make sure to check the speed is
below this indication. Cross checking and verbally announcing “speed check, flaps
1/2/3/4” will help not to forget it.
AIR SPEED TRENT ARROW
It indicates the Trent of the air speed. The longer it goes up or down the higher the
change in speed. In case of a low altitude level off just after takeoff, A special attention
is required from flight crew to make sure the airspeed won’t cross the maximum speed
on the planes current configuration.
TAKE OFF PHASE
After takeoff, Landing gears can be up after aircraft establish on a steady climb. We
suggest all flight crew to verbally announce “POSITIVE CLIMB, LANDING GEARS UP”.
After passing thrust reduction altitude, pilots can reduce the engine thrust to climb
phase. From this time auto throttle system will take controls.
After passing acceleration altitude, pilots can start retraction of flaps and slats
according to the speed the aircraft gains. It’s a very important phase as flight crew has
to pay lots of attention to timed retraction as early or delayed retraction will result in stall
and over speed respectively.
Here is a picture an aircraft ready to retract its flaps to position 1 from position 2. Make
sure airspeed is approaching “F” indication,. That indicates airspeed is good enough for
flying with its slats only extended, so that pilot can retract flaps 2. You can notice that
maximum speed the aircraft can fly at this configuration is nearly 200 knots only and the
minimum it can fly is 140 knots. At this stage pilots need to establish a constant
acceleration to managed or selected speed with timely retracting flaps and slats.
AIRCRAFT ON A CLEAN CONFIGURATION
A clean configuration means the aircraft is flying at its minimum drag, means it’s not
using any drag applying devices such as flaps, slats, speed brakes or landing gears.
Minimum and maximum speed at this stage is depends on various factors like altitude,
weight, wind components etc.
Here is a picture showing an aircraft in its clean configuration flight.
APPROACH AND LANDING
Airbus has 2 configuration options for landing. Either pilots can land with flap 3 or flap 4
configurations. As flap 3 will have little more speed. So it is recommended NOT to use
for landing in short runways. Changing an aircraft from its clean configuration to landing
phase needs special attention and timely planning for a smooth landing. REMEMBER
GOOD LANDING COMES FROM GOOD, STABLE APROACH. Preparing aircraft to
landing mode is affected by some sort of factors like weight, speed, nature of approach,
ATC restrictions, airport conditions etc. Here we will explain some general things for a
stable approach and a good landing. Generally preparations for approach starts from
4000 or 5000 ft. Better say all airlines has their own policy, we recommend you to use
4000 ft or when reaching specified point on a approach chart with specified speed, if the
speed needs flaps or slats.
FLAPS 1
Generally we can use flap 1 when passing 4000 ft. But before using flap 1 make sure
the speed is below the maximum speed for flap 1. Here is 2 pictures indicating the
conditions before and after flap 1 usage.
BEFORE FLAP 1
: note that the speed is below 240 knots which is maximum flap usage speed for flap 1
AFTER FLAP 1
: note that “=” color indicating the maximum speed for next flap has changed to 195
knots and a maximum speed tape showing 240 knots.
BEFORE FLAP 2
:note that speed is below 195 knots and approaching “S” indication
AFTER FLAP 2
:Note that now the maximum speed is reduced to 195 knots and “S” is replaced with “F”
We recommends to establish on final approach with flaps 2 set and speeds at 170
knots.
FLAPS 3
Before selecting flap 3 make sure landing gear is down and locked and indicates
green.use flap 3 just before capturing glide slope as it will help to reduce the speed .the
higher the speed the higher the rate of descent will be.
FLAPS 4
Establish final approach with flap 3 or 4 configuration. : note if plans to use flap 3 for
landing, select flap 3 option in FMC and press the GPWS flap 3 mode in the over
head panel. If not the aircraft GPWS system may give warning when passing 500
ft.
LANDING
Establish a smooth and steady approach. Always give special attention to speed vertical
speed. Normally around 140 knots approach speed will have 700 ft/min vertical speed.
Any tendency to off course or deviation has to be corrected as soon as possible. Hard
changes at low altitudes are not recommended.
Commence flaring when passing 50 or 40 ft, and retard the thrust levers to idle when
passing 20 ft. Airbus aircrafts equipped with GPWS retard calls. But remember it’s a
suggestion from aircraft not a COMMAND. The pilot flying is the one decides the time of
retarding thrust to idle. All conditions especially wind, has to be considered for selecting
the perfect time for retarding the thrust.
After touchdown, use the thrust reverser as it is highly useful at higher speeds. Use of
auto brakes, spoilers and thrust reversers will help for smooth de acceleration. Thrust
reversers has to be off before aircraft passing 60 knots as its not much help full at low
speeds and at low speeds it has a highest possibility for the engines to suck the
external objects into engines and it may cause severe damage to the engines. However
in case of emergency pilots are authorized to use thrust reversers until the aircraft
comes to a full stop. After vacating the runway retract the spoiler and flaps gradually.
ENDING
Throughout this manual we discussed about speed at different phase of flight. We have
lots of areas has to be covered. Soon we will come up with all the details you need for a
safe and smooth flight. If you have any queries, suggestions, recommendations or
questions about this feel free to ask me. You can mail me to
airbuschief@qatarairwaysviartual.net or to any of our staff. We all are really happy to
help you always. Have nice flights pilots.
Jesil Rahman
QTR0007
Airbus Chief Pilot
Qatar Airways Virtual
On behalf of CEO.