Originally Posted by
pineteam
Dear all,
In our FOM, it’s recommended to use F3 during approach on A319 & A320 for fuel saving but not on A321 due to the risk of tail strike. According to the FCOM: A tail strike on A320 will occur at 11.5 degrees with gears fully compressed versus 9.5 degrees for the A321. But the pitch on approach with F3 on A320 is around 4 degrees up versus 1 degree up only on A321. Those reference can be seen on the QRH unreliable airspeed. Meaning you actually have 1 degree more margin on the pitch on the A321! So is it a mistake in our FOM or am I missing something? I can’t find any Airbus reference saying the A321 is more prone to tail strike than an A320. From what I undestand and seen during flight, the A320 is more prone to tail strike in conf 3 compare to the A321.
Anyone who has performed flaps 3 approach on A321 would have noticed how low is the nose compare to the A320.
I would be interested to hear from other fellows pilots operating both types.
Thank you.
Hi,
due to the double slotted flaps, the pitch attitude difference landing flaps 3 vs full on the 321 is almost non existent (.5 degrees or so). From a tailstrike margin point of view there is actually a small benefit in landing CONF 3 due to the higher Vapp.