As always, there is plenty of valuable information in AB manuals. Nobody ever understood just where.
FCTM: GLIDE SLOPE INTERCEPTION FROM ABOVE... In order to get the best rate of descent ... the crew should lower the landing gear and select Config 2. Speedbrakes may
also be used, noting the considerations detailed in the sub-section "Deceleration
and configuration change" earlier in this chapter.
DECELERATION AND CONFIGURATION CHANGE
In certain circumstances, e.g. tail wind or high weight, the deceleration rate may
be insufficient. In this case, the landing gear may be lowered, preferably below
220 kts (to avoid gear doors overstress), and before selection of Flap 2.
Speedbrakes can also be used to increase the deceleration rate but the crew
should be aware of:
. The increase in VLS with the use of speedbrakes
. The limited effect at low speeds
. The speed brake auto-retraction when selecting the landing configuration. (Notapplicable for A318)
Yours,
FD (the un-real).