A question from a glider pilot, if you professionals would be kind enough to inform me:
In the A330/A340 incident, there was a sudden increase in what glider pilots call total energy - the sum of kinetic (speed) and potential energy (altitude). Presumably this was caused by windshear, or rising air (wave or whatever) caused by the nearby jetstream or front. In gliding, if the energy increase is not wanted, we counteract the increase by spilling it – with increased drag (e.g. airbrakes) or letting the speed bleed off gradually should circumstances permit.
It sounds as if they had only two quick choices, since power reduction would be slow – climb, or go into overspeed. Is that right? If climb is too dangerous leading to a level bust, can overspeed temporarily be tolerated? Or could drag be increased (airbrakes?)?
Last edited by chrisN; 30th Oct 2013 at 17:30.