Cornwallis
I agree with you 100%. I've flown the 330 with all three engine types, ( CF-6, PW,and trent). Of the 3 types, I have found the GE CF-6 to be the better engine in terms of Autothrust responsiveness! The bloody things start up in around 30 secs flat from master swith on.
Nothing worse than when landing in turbulent conditions, to find your speed dropping below the Approch Speed Target and the engines doing nothing about it. Fair enough, the engines are big, and take time to respond. I heard engineers talking about the computer software which controls the autothrust, mentioning that it depends on which model of computer controling the autothrust that determines the engine responsiveness?!?!?!?!?!?!
Some guys add 2 or 3 knots onto the MCDU VApp speed above 700' to compensate for this. I actually prefer flying with the autothrust OFF. It is an aeroplane after all, and I'll make it do what I want it to do!
The 340 with the CFM-56's is OK. The smaller engines react well to the autothrust command, and Approach speed is maintained in all conditions I've been in.
So yeh, I know what you're on about.
