Originally Posted by
myshoutcaptain
Morno - A320 with Autopilot engaged only delivers half speed brake. To gain full , Autopilot Off. Autopilot is recommended and with unknown structural integrity it would appear on face value these fellas did ok. Bus can attain 5500fpm + if you get rid of the lot and pole it.
I know. I still had the A/P on and 320kts pegged when I got to it last night.
Anyway, only pointing out that 2,500fpm doesn't really seem like much of an emergency descent, unless there was some serious structural integrity issues, which doesn't appear to be the case. However, what's to say they didn't have a higher rate of descent anyway. I wouldn't rely solely on flight aware.