Airbus landing flap
I'm curious about landing flap setting at other companies.(319.320.321)
We are encouraged to use flap 3 for fuel conservation but most F/Os I fly with seem to use flap full regardless of how long the runway is. Generally they've been on the airplane longer than me and I have a theory that perhaps flap full was the only setting approved for landing at one time. Us pilots are pretty reactionary when it comes to new ideas! Some guys tell me that the cost in extra brakewear is higher than the fuel savings but I'm content to leave that sort of thing to the company tech heads.
I generally use flap 3 and idle reverse unless there's a reason not to. Short or slippery runway for instance. In addition to fuel savings, flap 3 gives better go around performance and seems to make the airplane more manageable in gusts. My history is the 737-200 and flap 30 unless flap 40 was necessary.
Having said the above, I will say that I use flap full in the 321 for the extra tailstrike protection.
So, what happens at your outfit? 3 or full...and why?