Correct flap extension during approach with A320

[737Andi 6]

Hi,

unfortunately I'm not 100% sure about the perfect flaps extension procedure during approach. Currently I'm doing it the following way but I think its not correct.

I reduce speed to 190-210 knots and select flaps 1. When selecting flaps 1 I notice the S symbol for slat retraction showing up at e.g. 180 knots and I reduce my speed futher below the given S speed. When passing S speed I select flaps 2. Then the F symbol is showing up with flaps 2 selected at a very low speed of e.g. 140 knots. According to what I'e read I have to wait now with selecting flaps 3 until the speed indicator passes the F symbol. Then I select flaps 3. The F symbol however then doesnt move anymore. When do I have to select flaps full? Is this depending on the configuration in the MCDU?

Thanks!
 

Best regards Andi

[Chandler 13]

You best select the Flaps at 10 Knots below the VFE speed. You can see the speeds on the main panel placard or the orange marking at the speed tape. This is a good starting point, in real life there are many variables to consider, but for flightsim this should work well. I like it to be configured rather early, so you dont mess up with getting hot and high.

[Nyxx 6,993]

What Airbus?

[Samaritano 304]

Check this link out. Starting at page 91. It shouldn’t matter which Airbus you are flying. Hope it helps. 

[ARCO 245]

11 hours ago, Samaritano said:

Check this link out. Starting at page 91. It shouldn’t matter which Airbus you are flying. Hope it helps. 

Great document Samaritano, clear and concise and from a real world AAL Airbus pilot, thank you!

Edited July 11, 2019 by Jean-Claude

[SierraHotel 976]

Or, ask an Airbus pilot:

 

 

Edited July 11, 2019 by SierraHotel

[737Andi 6]

18 hours ago, Nyxx said:

What Airbus?

A320

[Zimmerbz 162]

Both the link and the video from Blackbox are spot on and very true to real world opps.  I'd follow those. 

[737Andi 6]

Thx! Very good video 🙂

Two questions that came up with the video. 

Whats the best way to see the Final approach fix in the airplane Instruments?

Is there a way to see the runway threshold elevation in the Instruments or do I need to reckon it out myself?

 

[SAS443 1,716]

18 minutes ago, 737Andi said:

Whats the best way to see the Final approach fix in the airplane Instruments?

I think the Airbus has a clever formating to identity critical fixes during an approach.
CFXXX would be "final course" fix, and I think it is the equivalent of the Intermediate Fix (IF) on approach plates

FFXXX is the "Final Fix" - and yepp it should be the published final approach fix/point (depending on nomenclature)

And as always don''t look on the instruments alone, cross check with the published charts.

For precision approach (ILS), that fix is called FAP / Final Approach Point. On Jeppesen charts that would be where intermediate approach segment intercects with the glideslope. Marked on LIDO charts with a "P" on the profile view. 
For non-precision approaches, FAF is marked with a maltese cross in the profile view of the chart (jepp) OR with the letter F on LIDO charts. On LIDO charts that depicts an ILS or LOC approach (with glideslope inop) and the FAP and FAF coincides, only the FAP will be shown on the profile view.

Example VOR APP into Samos / LGSM). Jeppesen (left) and LIDO (right)

21 minutes ago, 737Andi said:

Is there a way to see the runway threshold elevation in the Instruments or do I need to reckon it out myself?

The landing runway and hard coded altitude should be in your MCDU flightplan page. But threshold altitude is also published in the already mentioned IAC (goes for both Jepp / LIDO) 🙂

[737Andi 6]

1 hour ago, SAS443 said:

The landing runway and hard coded altitude should be in your MCDU flightplan page. But threshold altitude is also published in the already mentioned IAC (goes for both Jepp / LIDO) 🙂

Sorry... I think my question was not clearly formulated. Lets assume runway treshold elevation is 200feet and my plane is flying 2300feet. Then I would be flying 2100feet above threshold. Do I always have to do this reckoning or is there a figure in my cockpit Instruments telling me the 2100 feet?

[SAS443 1,716]

18 minutes ago, 737Andi said:

Sorry... I think my question was not clearly formulated. Lets assume runway treshold elevation is 200feet and my plane is flying 2300feet. Then I would be flying 2100feet above threshold. Do I always have to do this reckoning or is there a figure in my cockpit Instruments telling me the 2100 feet?

Aha, I see.
Well, you always have  the radar altimeter (RA) at your disposal. That read-out can be found on your PFD.
But that only reflects terrain which is straight below you. The runway can still be several nautical miles away and have a different field elevation than the terrain you are overflying.