A320 CDFA LNAV NAV/FPA
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Having a margarita on the beach
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It is! It’s quasi-impossible. The only time this might work is if you have ridiculous long final, (imagine +7000’ platform) and comming in high above the glidepath. Come in V/S all the way to the FDP aiming to get there way above platform. Switch FPA and keep going at 4-5 deg with your PM reading intermediate alts, until you are getting closer. Meanwhile configure and decelerate, though the 4deg will not help there, so you are probably speed brakes out by this point, maybe you even disconected A/P to get full speebrakes. When 200’ above select 3.2 etc (or ask PM to keep setting FPA as you disconnected AP) until you intercept. If you ever intercept. Could it be done? Well, maybe. But should this be the SOP? It looks sloppy, unprofessional and it’s unsafe. Better not do this with me unless you buy me a large drink after the flight.
How much more elegant would it be to level off 1 NM before the FDP, calmly call “ALT” ask for flaps 3 and select TRK/FPA and -3.1deg. Then when PM says “descent point” pull the FPA and ask for full flaps(or slightly before). Already on profile.
Which pilot would you like to fly with?
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Having a margarita on the beach
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100% agree on the first line ;-) My comments were based on the facts that through the years I have witnessed a little more than a few decelerated NPAs flown with selected FPA guidance and in at least half of these occasions it did not end up particularly well But of course, who pays the piper calls the tune
Only half a speed-brake
Maybe they have not been taught properly.
I think selected decellerated are stretching it unnecessarily. Semi-configured F2 F speed/160 Gear up why not selected. If decellereated F1 S speed until 2000 AFE, then final app please.
After all, there are libraries full of good reasons why on a steam gauge a fully stabilised is the proper way to go. Fancy avionics do not change the human factor.
I think selected decellerated are stretching it unnecessarily. Semi-configured F2 F speed/160 Gear up why not selected. If decellereated F1 S speed until 2000 AFE, then final app please.
After all, there are libraries full of good reasons why on a steam gauge a fully stabilised is the proper way to go. Fancy avionics do not change the human factor.