Originally Posted by
thcrozier
Exactly what does the "ditching button" on the 320 do? I assume it makes a variety of systems watertight. Does it, for instance, somehow lock the rear doors?
The 'Ditching' button closes outflow valve and in addition, the emergency ram air inlet, avionics ventilation extract valve and pack flow control valves close.
Has nothing to do with doors.
Originally Posted by
Boomerang_Butt
Second- perhaps people are confusing the Airbus 'power assisted' doors with 'electrically operated' doors- power assist helps in door opening when armed but is not always avilable in the event of electrical failure...
Power assist is purely mechanical - no electrics involved. All it is is a gas bottle attached to a ram that pushes the door open when opened in the armed mode.