The sidestick issue helped save Emirates Airlines Airbus A340-500, registration A6-ERG performing flight EK-407 from Melbourne. The pilots entered the wrong weight for a FLEX takeoff and the plane was at the wrong speed for takeoff at that weight. They just pulled all the way back, the tail dragged on the ground but as soon as it got to takeoff speed up it went at the best angle possible. Swings and roundabouts I guess.