Pressurisation

[cheechm]

Was flying to Lyon on a British Airways A321 last Saturday and we found ourselves cruising at 8000ft. Apparently there was something wrong with the pressurisation? Anyone able to explain what might have went wrong?

The flight did therefore take an extra hour due to speed restrictions.
Thanks

[b377]

You are also flying 'in the weather' .. making for a bumpier ride.

As a kid distinctly remember the diffence, being used to DC3s, cruising below 10,000 and the much smoother rides of a DC4, Britannia, Stratocruiser at well over 25,000, these planes were advertised to fly 'above the weather' for publicity and lure reluctant air-sick prone passengers.

[Old Fella]

Seems odd that the aircraft was able to be despatched on a revenue flight with a known fault which prevented it from being pressurised. Fault may have become evident after departure and a decision made to continue. Would be interested in knowing what the fault was and what the MEL permits.

[foresight]

Old Fella

Nothing odd at all.

Doubt if there is any MEL which does not permit unpressurised flight with pax.

Apart from comfort and economy, there is nothing wrong with it.

[Wodrick]

Was flying to Lyon on a British Airways A321 last Saturday Strikes me that was outbound not get you home.

[b377]

You mustn't rule out pilot vertigo. It has been known some are scared of hieghts. Fly slow 'n low.

[BOAC]

Peut etre Rainboe a dit que le Capitain s'habite en France?:) Excusez mon Franglais.

[Yellow Sun]

The key to the answer will be found in the airline's Operations Manual Part A. Below is a typical example (taken from a UK airline Part A)

Unpressurised Flight
Unpressurised flight without passengers, up to a cabin altitude of 10,000 feet does
not require special authorisation. All other premeditated unpressurised flights require
authorisation from the Fleet Office and must comply with the following conditions:
1) Passenger flights, if authorised, will not be operated at a cabin altitude
exceeding 10,000 feet
2) Non-passenger flights may be authorised above 10,000 feet but not above
14,000 feet cabin altitude provided there is sufficient oxygen and heating
equipment for all crew members for the duration of flight above 10,000 feet.
3) Flight above a cabin altitude of 14,000 feet (excluding test flights), is not
permitted.
If a defect occurs after take-off which renders the aeroplane unfit for pressurised
flight, continued flight to destination will be at the discretion of the commander who
will consider the implications of reduced range, terrain clearance, weather and icing
associated with low level cruise. The cabin altitude restrictions above will be
observed.

YS

[captjns]

b377

You mustn't rule out pilot vertigo. It has been known some are scared of hieghts. Fly slow 'n low.

Huh? Need some clarification on this one.:hmm: