From what I can remember of a few flights in a 737 simulator a few years back, 30 degrees of flaps is the standard setting, 40 is used for short-field/steep approaches, and 15 is used for single-engine approaches. On a side note, I read an interesting question not too long ago. What would happen if a nerf had a high midichlorian count? Almost makes you wonder about that steak you just ordered.

For "Gol", standard flaps are 40 (heard that in an interview)... fear of a tailstrike on landing... Teo Halfen

For "Gol", standard flaps are 40 (heard that in an interview)... fear of a tailstrike on landing... Teo Halfen

"Fear of a tailstrike on landing"??? Come on, the usual pitch for the NG doesn't go over 5° for landing. Tailstrike attitude is 8°, so there's much space between the tail and the runway.

Hi all,It surely must have been coverted but:What is the usual flap setting for landing? 30 or 40?In real world? Thanks,Christos

Flaps 40 are more used for autoland, no? Bert Van Bulck

"Fear of a tailstrike on landing"??? Come on, the usual pitch for the NG doesn't go over 5° for landing. Tailstrike attitude is 8°, so there's much space between the tail and the runway.

Usually GOL flies to average short runway airports, with SFP installed. That's why they use flaps 40 as a standard.

Usually GOL flies to average short runway airports, with SFP installed. That's why they use flaps 40 as a standard.

Not necessarily. Short runways aren't the only reason to use flaps 40. It allows you to have the engines spooled up to a higher RPM making them more responsive, and the increase in drag means increased speed stability.Read ARM505's (think that's the right alias!) account of flying the 737 - he said he ususally uses flap 40 unless it's gusting.

"Usual" flap setting is a largely tribal or cultural characteristic, just like takeoff flap settings. I've flown the 737 at two very different airlines. One preferred F30 for landing, the other F40. And yes, tail strike is a concern on the -8 and -9. Even is on the -4 to a lesser extent.

Teo is correct, Gol airlines utilizes flaps 40 for all airports on the 800 series and lets the crew choose between 30 and 40 for the 700s. As a matter of fact, the airlines' 738s have a big red "x" on the flap indicator with a placcard next to it saying "not recommended". The source I used to tell you guys this does not mention why, but like someone else said, it must be due to the fact that most aerodromes serviced by Gol have short rwys and for those that have longer rwys they simply want to keep things uniform. I do know from talking to the airline's pilots that whoever wrpte the sop was being very careful about tailstrikes, at least on takeoffs.

Flaps 40 are more used for autoland, no? Bert Van Bulck

Correct, it increases forward visibility by reducing the pitch attitude...But for the record, back when we operated the classics at EIN, flap 30 was fairly standard, with 40 only being used on occasions, but back then, there was a lot more "Captains Discretion" about these things, and some Capts just prefared flying a flap 40 all the time....