AF 447 Thread No. 9

[mm43]

Just to keep the Oozlum Bird from disappearing "you know where", the following extract(s) from the Airbus A330 Instructor Support Manual provide the following:-

Characteristics in pitch

When acting on the stick the pilot commands a constant G load maneuver and the aircraft response is G Load / Pitch rate. The pilot order is therefore consistent with the aircraft response "naturally" expected by the pilot, Pitch rate at low speed / Flight Path rate or G at high speed.

Hence STICK FREE, the A/C maintains the flight path even in case of speed changes. Furthermore, STICK FREE in case of Configuration changes, or thrust variations, etc… the pitching moment effects are reduced by the feedbacks in the control law itself and compensated for by precommands. With STICK FREE in turbulence, small deviations do occur on the flight path but with a tendancy of the A/C to regain a steady condition.

As a consequence the A/C is a STABLE PLATFORM and AUTOTRIMMED; it needs to be flown with minor corrections from the pilot on the stick, when the A/C deviates from its intended flight path.

Don’t fight with the stick; if you feel you overcontrol, release the stick.

Indications
The degradation of control laws is indicated on ECAM as well as on PFD.
- On ECAM
in ALTN: ECAM EW/D FLT CTL ALTN LAW (PROT LOST)
MAX SPEED 305/.82

As an aside, the PNF must have said, "Alternate law, protections lost."