I'v got couple of questions about flaps on the 737ngx. First does GOL use flaps 5 or 15 when takeing off from SBRJ in the 737-800? When do other airlines choose to use flaps 15 on taking off? Also when would an airline use flaps 15 for landing, and what is the purpose of it?Thanks,

Flaps 15 is used for engine out landings, because it improves go around performance. For takeoff flap 15 would shorten the takeoff run so it's more likely to be used on short runways. However this also reduces climb gradient, so may be a problem with obstacle clearance.Kevin Hall

Pilots don't choose flaps settings. Dispatchers choose flaps settings, T/O derates, assumed temps, based on aircraft's weight, runway condition and length, obstacles and required climb performance. Pilot reads the dispatch sheet and follows it.TOPCAT is a good program to start learning about dispatching.

Pilots don't choose flaps settings. Dispatchers choose flaps settings, T/O derates, assumed temps, based on aircraft's weight, runway condition and length, obstacles and required climb performance. Pilot reads the dispatch sheet and follows it.TOPCAT is a good program to start learning about dispatching.

Be careful. Yes, the release tells the pilots what information was used in the creation of the release. The flap settings are based on the runway analysis that the airline uses. But the pilot is the final responsibility for the flight, and if he has a reason not to use what the dispatcher has come up with that is his choice to have them re-release the flight with new information.

Pilots CHOOSE flaps setting of course: there are company SOPs and guidelines about preferential flap settings (i.e. takeoff flaps 5 or 15 for takeoffs or others company flaps 1,5,15) flaps 30 for normal landings (no limitations , bad wxr condtitions etc. or flaps 40 in the others cases) but the final choice is always at pilot's discrection (captain usually or pilot flying depends on SOPs I think) also others decisions like takeoff derate settings or final fuel reserve to fill are made by the captain NOT by dispatchers.Best RegardsAndrea Buono

Pilots don't choose flaps settings. Dispatchers choose flaps settings, T/O derates, assumed temps, based on aircraft's weight, runway condition and length, obstacles and required climb performance. Pilot reads the dispatch sheet and follows it.TOPCAT is a good program to start learning about dispatching.

That's all very well in real life, but in the world of flightsim there's no one to get a despatch sheet from. I have to select the flap angle, whether I'm acting as despatcher or pilot. Certainly for landing it's the pilot who makes the choice.Airline pilots I've talked to use laptops or charts to determine these things for themselves. They are responsible for safety and, with all due respect to despatchers, have a higher level of training and a better understanding of the performance factors involved.Kevin Hall

I've been asking the flight attendants. Is that wrong?Actually, F15 for landing is also used at some high-altitude airports for approach climb limits.

I've been asking the flight attendants. Is that wrong?

If it's good enough for Ryanair..... *ducks*No worse than rolling dice or picking straws. In my case the decision process is more like "I feel like a flaps X take off today, maybe heavily derated too, just to mix things up."Kevin

You can find a ton of interesting info and pictures about SBRJ and GOL here. http://forum.avsim.n.../page__hl__sbrj

SBRJ AirportNo aircraft operates there with full tank. Most of time, it's around 20% to 40%.- ALWAYS must be selected 27K BUMP T/O Thrust.- MAXIMUM of 44ºC for Assumed T/O Temp- "Rolling Takeoff" is not allowed.- Flaps 15º or 25º is allowed but 15º has the best performance, especially after takeoff when you must climb immediately to the left to avoid the Sugar Loaf (1336 feet) ahead.- NO GO for tail winds above 5kt.- NO GO for RWYs 20R/02L. You must T/O and Land on RWYs 20L/02R.For T/O on WET conditions, it should be, if I can remember, 64 MT. But the real number must be within 2 MT +/-.For LANDING, you must not be above 58,2 MT for both DRY/WET and must set the AutoBrake MAX, and the temperature must not be above 40ºC.

Paul pretty much said it all. SBRJ takeoffs are always done using the 27K Bump. BTW, GOL airline´s fleet does not have the option of de-rate takeoffs. You either use 26K or 27K with assumed temp or not, that depends on local conditions. And contrary to what was posted earlier dispatchers do not get to make the call on your takeoff, at leats not on this airline. You are given the loadsheet, you copy your ATIS, and refer to the TO analysis charts. It will usually be a flaps 15 or 25 TO as mentioned earlier with 820' accel/thrust redct height. SOP is to bug up, press N1 and only engage vnav passing transition altitude (5000 for Rio de Janeiro TMA if I remember correctly from the time I used to fly for real). Quick reminder: GOL prohibits flaps 1 takeoffs. There and anywhere as far as I recall. There´s a couple of GOL pilots hanging around the forum, but I doubt they´ll chime in with company-specific stuff that´ll make them liable. Anyway, if you takeoff with flaps 15 or 25 at 27K (assumed temp or no) and use 820' as your thrust reduction/accel height, you´ll be doing it like the pros. Just a quick note of reminder: Topcat does not yet support 27.000 lbs of thrust for the 738 (i.e sfp)Oh last point: Correct takeoff technique in this particular airport is to advance manually thrust levers to 70% N1 on brakes (toe brakes), then press TOGA or manually set takeoff power.

Don't worry about flaps... 15 for takeoff and 30 for landing it works well for 99% of airports in FSX... it's only a sim after all!

You can find a ton of interesting info and pictures about SBRJ and GOL here. http://forum.avsim.n.../page__hl__sbrj[/b]

Thanks that really helps.

Don't worry about flaps... 15 for takeoff and 30 for landing it works well for 99% of airports in FSX... it's only a sim after all! Hi Artur,If anyone would like to fly as real as he gets why should accept to perform takeoffs always with flaps 15 and landings always with flaps 30? Yes it's a sim but a really realistic one and I love flying as real as I get, if I can takeoff with flaps 5 (and more than 80% of takeoffs you can) why I should set flaps 15 to burn out more fuel and accept a worse climb rate? And at the same manner why should I land with flaps 30 in case of i.e. short runway or SSW (sntanding water, slush, snow) when SOPs tell me touse flaps 40? Each takeoff and approach is different form another and can require different strategy etc. the captain have to decide about that here is why ih is called "commander" (otherwise he'd be called "operator" or "executor".BTW if you're interested in takeoff and landing analysis you can use TOPCAT a really great tool!Best RegardsAndrea Buono

That's all very well in real life, but in the world of flightsim there's no one to get a despatch sheet from. I have to select the flap angle, whether I'm acting as despatcher or pilot. Certainly for landing it's the pilot who makes the choice.Airline pilots I've talked to use laptops or charts to determine these things for themselves. They are responsible for safety and, with all due respect to despatchers, have a higher level of training and a better understanding of the performance factors involved.Kevin Hall

Like I said, TOPCAT simulates the dispatch sheet well. You just let it process the data and It can give you optimum flaps, or you as the pilot can override.