"saw" sound in A320

[-Dexter-]

Hi,

When flying with the A320 sometimes there is a strange noise (I think both before departure and after landing) which resembles wood cutting with a hand saw :} Sorry, but I couldn't come up with a better description

The noise usually continues for 10 or 20 seconds and occasionally more than a minute. What is it? :confused:

[PAXboy]

When this question has been asked before the answer is usually: "Probably the Power Transfer Unit which is sited amid-ships." Search and ye may find!!

[-Dexter-]

Aaah thanks for the hint PAXboy!

According to this (http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2006/01/20/askthepilot170/) article it seems that this sound is common on the A330 as well .Also "some airlines ask crews to run a separate electric pump during single-engine taxi" apparently to minimize both PTU noise and passenger confusion :)

[tipsy2]

Could be the noise they make as they land in the trees at a French airshow.

tipsy:E

[leewan]

A common FAQs among a320 fliers.
That sound is caused by gremlins in the landing gear bay sawing woods to feed into a steam powered hydraulic pump. This pump is only needed when there is a high hydraulic demand such as landing gear going up or down or only when one engine is operating. One of aviation's greatest secret ! :)

Actually, it's the PTU.
YouTube - Re: Barking Airbus A320 on Finals into AMS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlZSHIVH9kE)

[CornishFlyer]

Personally I think it sounds like a load of barking dogs in the hold-sometimes if the pax can take a joke, that's what I tell them :ok:

[bondim]

I tell them its the dragons in the hold. Some do believe it!