Engine shutdown on taxiway?

[thebassplayer]

Flew with Monarch from Malaga to Gatwick today on an A321 and after landing at Gatwick and after turning off the runway the No.2 engine seemed to be shutdown and half the cabin lights went out and very a loud whine (sounded like brakes?) filled the cabin for the rest of the taxi to the gate...

Any explanations for this?:confused:

cheers:ok:

[profot]

Fuel saving by switching an engine off for gate taxi

The whineing was probably the engine spooling down and the lights going off was probably a switch over in power after shutdown

[thebassplayer]

Ah thank you :ok:

[aviatordom]

Whining sound may have also been the PTU

Then again, thats more of a bark, but it could have been that:ok:

[Chesty Morgan]

More than likely an electric hydraulic pump. It's usually SOP to turn one on when you shut down an engine as the engine driven pump is no longer pressurising the system.

[ab33t]

Fuel saving measures. You may be asked to get and push next time

[K.Whyjelly]

More than likely an electric hydraulic pump. It's usually SOP to turn one on when you shut down an engine as the engine driven pump is no longer pressurising the system.

Correct Chesty.................once engine two (right hand one) is shut down the Yellow electric hyd pump is switched on

[Flight Detent]

great fuel saving idea...

but lets not forget the engine manufacturers (most probably CFM) requirement that 3 minutes at idle is required prior to engine shutdown.

That 3 minutes will start either:
* when the engines come out of reverse if normal or max reverse is used, or
* at touchdown, if either idle reverse or no reverse is used.

If operationally required only, the engines may be shutdown after 1 minute, but continued short idle times of less than 3 minutes will result in engine degradation.

That's what I understand is the arrival requirement!

Cheers...FD :)

PS: and don't forget the requirement for first indication of rising engine oil temperature prior to setting power for takeoff, if 'saving fuel' on taxi out!

[Tinwacker]

THEBASSPLAYER,

loud whine (sounded like brakes?) filled the cabin for the rest of the taxi to the gate...

More than likely this was the brake cooling fans that are very noisy.

TW

[raffele]

Fuel saving measures. You may be asked to get and push next time

I believe thats on MOL's list of 'improvements' for 2010, along with paying for the loo and everyone having to put a quid in the onboard meter to get the plane powered up :p

[Alteburger]

Quite apart from fuel savings, I personally use single engine taxying at LGW to reduce brake applications which also reduces brake wear. With one engine shutdown on an average weight A321, the aircraft remains at about 12 knots without use of any braking at all. Wouldn't try it at an airport with tight turns and gradients though like LTN, BHX - embarassing if you have to start it up again to get moving....