Originally Posted by
RatherBeFlying
Using AirRabbit's numbers for 250 kt:
Type.. B-767 A-300-600
Brkout 17 .... 22
Max... 80 .... 32
Travel 3.5 .....1.2
Max/
Brkout 4.7 ....1.4
I am led to suspect that any attempt to use rudder on the A-300-600 at 250 kt. is highly likely to get maximum rudder
If you looking for an APC/PIO trigger, it's hard to beat this one.
Story going around AA during the investigation was three pilots, Airbus, AA supvr, AA line pilot(union), were put in the sim for testing. All three were asked to apply half rudder at 250 kts.
Of course the AA pilot and the union pilot, if anyone, would be suspect to perhaps slightly overdo their input to support the incident crew. How about the Airbus pilot? No, he'd baby it, if anything, to show how simple using the rudder actually was.
All three applied something like 45 lbs +/-, resulting in full pedal deflection. And they knew in advance how sensitive the rudder is.
The rudder is normal at approach speeds, fine at 210 kts, and significantly more sensitive at 250 kts.
But the design of the A300 is similar to all the older designs except for the 747/757/767/777. I don't know how the A330/340/380 rudders operate. But as AirRabbit's posted data shows what sets the A300 apart from it's peers is the sensitivity of the rudder. 737/727/DC-9's etc. are not as sensitive with the same rudder design.