A320 Preselected climb speed lower than Green Dot
Thread Starter

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Holding at DESDI
A320 Preselected climb speed lower than Green Dot
Hi guys...
Just wondering what happens if you have a heavy aircraft, and Green Dot speed in clean config is higher than the preselected speed on the PERF CLIMB page.
e.g. some SID's require to fly 220kt, but the GD could be as high as 235kt. If you leave the speed managed, what will the aircraft fly?
Just wondering what happens if you have a heavy aircraft, and Green Dot speed in clean config is higher than the preselected speed on the PERF CLIMB page.
e.g. some SID's require to fly 220kt, but the GD could be as high as 235kt. If you leave the speed managed, what will the aircraft fly?

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 39
From: Wanderlust
Two things. First, normally after flap retraction default speed target is 250 so if you go manage it will accelerate to 250 if you want different speed you will have to use preselect or change the default speed below 10000ft. by vertical revision. Second, it is permitted to fly beow green dot speed all speeds upto VLS are flyable, only the bank angle at which ᾳ floor gets activated gets lowered from 45 degrees to 40 degrees. In turbulence the margin could be less.

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 481
Likes: 23
From: Melbourne
Just wondering what happens if you have a heavy aircraft, and Green Dot speed in clean config is higher than the preselected speed on the PERF CLIMB page.
FCOM 1 DSC-22_30-40 speed/mach control :
Note: The selected speed/Mach target may be set beyond VLS or VMAX, but when autothrust is active, the guidance limits the speed to VLS or VMAX.
Selected speed has priority over managed speed
Note: The selected speed/Mach target may be set beyond VLS or VMAX, but when autothrust is active, the guidance limits the speed to VLS or VMAX.
Selected speed has priority over managed speed
e.g. some SID's require to fly 220kt, but the GD could be as high as 235kt. If you leave the speed managed, what will the aircraft fly?
FCOM 1 DSC-22_30-40 speed/mach control :
The managed speed/Mach target may be set below maneuvering speed but
as long as the speed target is managed, the FMGS limits the aircraft to the
maneuvering speed of the current slats/flaps configuration (VAPP, F, S, Green
Dot).
The managed speed/Mach target may be set below maneuvering speed but
as long as the speed target is managed, the FMGS limits the aircraft to the
maneuvering speed of the current slats/flaps configuration (VAPP, F, S, Green
Dot).
Last edited by John Citizen; 2nd March 2013 at 10:45.

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 481
Likes: 23
From: Melbourne
e.g. some SID's require to fly 220kt, but the GD could be as high as 235kt. If you leave the speed managed, what will the aircraft fly?
Accelerating through 210, the flaps will auto retract and only the slats will be remain out (change from conf 1+F to conf 1).
Last edited by John Citizen; 2nd March 2013 at 10:43.
Thread Starter

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Holding at DESDI
Thanks JC!
I was being a but lazy, but also a bit hare-brained. Didn't know where to look for the answers in the FCOM.
I wasn't looking for advice on how to fly the SID, but really asking about the aircraft behavior, and you really nailed it for me!
So, as I understand it, if you enter a pre-selected speed on the PERF CLB page, that's exactly what she will fly, regardless of green dot, or flap position. (with all other protections still applicable, e.g. VLS, auto flap retract, etc)
AND, if you leave everything managed, it will go to a) 250kts if there are no other constraints, or b) either GD or the SID constraint speed, whichever is higher.
Thanks for your help.
I was being a but lazy, but also a bit hare-brained. Didn't know where to look for the answers in the FCOM.
I wasn't looking for advice on how to fly the SID, but really asking about the aircraft behavior, and you really nailed it for me!

So, as I understand it, if you enter a pre-selected speed on the PERF CLB page, that's exactly what she will fly, regardless of green dot, or flap position. (with all other protections still applicable, e.g. VLS, auto flap retract, etc)
AND, if you leave everything managed, it will go to a) 250kts if there are no other constraints, or b) either GD or the SID constraint speed, whichever is higher.
Thanks for your help.

Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 930
Likes: 1
From: United Kingdom
Sometimes a 1+F take off with say an S speed of around the 210 mark ie heavy. BUT a SID req speed of 180. Does cause problems especially if company SOP's are to fly S (or F or Gdot) only.
But as has been reported Airbus are happy as long as the speed remains above VLS.
But as has been reported Airbus are happy as long as the speed remains above VLS.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 2
From: Middle East
Seagull
If you preselected 220 kts prior to departure, the managed speed during takeoff and initial climb will automatically change to selected speed (220) at ACCL ALT.
Now if you push speed knob, the speed will go managed (250 kt).
If you preselected 220 kts prior to departure, the managed speed during takeoff and initial climb will automatically change to selected speed (220) at ACCL ALT.
Now if you push speed knob, the speed will go managed (250 kt).




