BN2A As far as the A300-B4 is concerned if you use flap you become more weight limited since your climb gradient is reduced (single eng performance). Thus provided you have the field length available, you can get more weight off the runway using 0 flap than 8 flap or greater.On short sectors were weight is unlikely to be a problem 8 flap is often used to get off a 'lumpy' runway more quickly thus increasing pax comfort. I assume this technique also applies to the A300-600.. .Hope this helps. Cheers.