PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - How does the mechanical backup on the 320 work? + some questions
Old 16th October 2012 | 22:43
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sevenstrokeroll
 
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: fort sheridan, il
as a comparison

Perhaps the most brilliant phrase in design: KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid!

while the question was on the airbus, I would like to contrast with another jet airliner.

The DC9 series.

IF all hydraulic pumps quit the plane retains rudder, aileron and elevator, you can still drop the landing gear and have hydraulic accumulators to extend the thrust reversers. Wheel brakes can also be used. you don't get flaps/slats or roll or ground spoilers...but you can still fly the plane quite well

IF all electrical quit, and you are vfr. you can fly quite well. If you have the battery you can fly night IFR in icing for 45 minutes. You still have full flight controls too. You can even work the pressurization system. Though stab trim is gone.

While the airbus is an interesting airplane, I simply can't see that it is inherently a better plane. IF things go wrong, you are in serious trouble.
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