Originally Posted by mm43
To answer your question, though rather obliquely, I defer to another part of the same post where I pointed out that Airbus expected its aircraft to be flown by properly trained and competent pilots.
But the best tool I know to attain competency
is proper training.
This is where Airbus has to question its lethargy - When it became obvious that UAS were adding up in cruise, especially after the Air Caraibes note, Airbus had to do something.
A
red OEB had to be published :
Lately, multiple cases of UAS in cruise have been reported and seem to be related to ice crystals in the vicinity of CBs, temporarily obstructing pitot probes.
The situation can be stressing as AP and A/THR disconnect, ECAM messages pill up, and multiple visual or audio warnings interact such as :- MASTER WARNING
- MASTER CAUTION
- CAVALRY CHARGE
- SINGLE CHIME
- C-chord
- STALL
Possible sequence of ECAM messages :
Additionally :- Sudden decrease of a few hundred feet of the indicated altitude
- Characteristic speeds may disappear.
- Sudden increase of the TAT
Crews have also reported :- St-Elmo fires
- Smell of ozone
Recommended procedure :
At first signs of deterioration, suspect UAS and call for the UAS Memory Item : - AP OFF
- A/THR OFF
- FD OFF
- PF maintain wings level + pitch of 2.5 deg
- PNF call any deviation and set thrust to 80% N1
This phenomenon is of short duration, 3 minutes at most according to recorded events, airspeeds are then back to normal.
Notes :- Possibly Alternate 2 Law activates, pitch remains a load factor demand but roll is in Direct Law.
- Due to turbulence, brief STALL warnings have been triggered - Maintain recommended attitude + thrust setting except if Stall warning persist in which case the STALL procedure has priority and must be followed.
- Disregard the STATUS MSG : RISK OF UNDUE STALL WARNING
We still investigate and bla bla bla ...
Even better if a simulator experience can be provided.
Proper training is a good tool to make us competent.