Good Question, in fact, I had been mulling that one over before writing in the forum. The -300ER is a heavier aircraft, thus the flaps up maneuvering speeds are higher. I can remember my situation from last week. We were about 15,000 Kgs under max weight, I believe. The Flaps UP maneuvering speed is always based on Flaps 30 + 80 (Vref30+80), each subsequent flap maneuvering reduction comes down in 20K increments, so Flap 1 maneuvering would be Vref30+60.
In last weeks case, I believe we were given 220Knots at LAM, our Vref 30 speed was 143 Knots...Thus...Vref 30 + 80 = 223..which meant (and I did), I had to use Flap 1, so I had the proper speed. I believe I was given 200 next, which had me back at Flap 5. I don't 'cheat' with the speeds, but I thought if ATC could only bump up the maneuvering speeds by 3-5 knots, it would save some fuel because of the extra drag created with the LEDs hanging out.
I've always felt it important that the guys/gals who fly and the guys/gals who do the controlling, be able to sit down and talk these little issues out, so that it works best for both parties. Years ago, I was on just such a committee...I found out that you people really can stow the 'suds'! LOL
