Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Flight Deck Forums > Tech Log
Reload this Page >

A319/320/321 vs. B737-800

Wikiposts
Search
Tech Log The very best in practical technical discussion on the web

A319/320/321 vs. B737-800

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 2nd Mar 2019, 20:10
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A319/320/321 vs. B737-800

Anyone flown both? I'm on the bus with 2500 hours on it and just can't seem to get comfortable with the thing. I just don't trust it. With close to 30 years in the airline business it's the first aircraft I have flown where one seems to get LESS confident on it the more one experiences all the weird stuff that goes on with it. I have been thinking of bailing to the 737 and looking for input from guys that have flown both types in either seat for some input. Comfort and noise being the only obvious advantage with the mini bus..
Reluctant Bus Driver is offline  
Old 2nd Mar 2019, 20:15
  #2 (permalink)  

Dog Tired
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: uk
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
We had a captain in KWI like you. Scared stiff that the TLs didn't move. He went back to the old fleet.

I suggest you do the same if you can't keep up.
fantom is offline  
Old 2nd Mar 2019, 20:46
  #3 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Very nice... I can keep up fine thank you.
Reluctant Bus Driver is offline  
Old 2nd Mar 2019, 23:10
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: I wouldn't know.
Posts: 4,497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I flew both. 15 years on 737 300/500/700/800 and now nearly 5 years on A319-21. I am comfortable in both, although i have to say i have not yet achieved the same level of knowledge with the bus that i had in the 737. But that is to be expected. I still miss the superior avionic capability of the 737, but enjoy the better automation of everyday tasks in the A320. All in all, as an everyday workplace i would prefer the A320, although of course a mix of both worlds would be even better. Pros A320: bigger flightdeck, bigger windows, better view, better automation, a table (and yes, that is a huge difference). Pros 737: better avionic, bigger screens, more capable autoflight system if one has the fail operational system.

That said, as above, at the end of a normal working day and after 4 sectors i am less tired flying the bus, which of course would enable me to function better in case something happened on that last sector.
Denti is offline  
Old 3rd Mar 2019, 03:18
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: blue planet
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Reluctant Bus Driver
Anyone flown both? I'm on the bus with 2500 hours on it and just can't seem to get comfortable with the thing. I just don't trust it. With close to 30 years in the airline business it's the first aircraft I have flown where one seems to get LESS confident on it the more one experiences all the weird stuff that goes on with it. I have been thinking of bailing to the 737 and looking for input from guys that have flown both types in either seat for some input. Comfort and noise being the only obvious advantage with the mini bus..
In all respects, If I would not trust an aircraft after 2500 hrs I would change the fleet. I didn't fly the 737 so I can't really compare, I came to the bus from ATR's. It took a while but not years...

TOS
The Old Swedish is offline  
Old 3rd Mar 2019, 05:58
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Never flown Boeing but it's true Airbus takes a while to feel comfortable IMHO. But after 2500 hours you should be. I suggest you read the auto flight system in the CBT and FCOM. It's heavy but when you fully understand it, you realise how great and easy this aircraft is to fly.

What weird stuff did you experience?? I'm pretty sure in most case you can get an rational explanation if you explain what happened.
pineteam is offline  
Old 3rd Mar 2019, 07:26
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Berlin
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was in a similar position ten years ago. Had to change the fleet to stay at my home base. In the beginning I only saw the negative things. Controls sluggish, the autopilot in some scenarios is a joke (.. like selecting V/S to reduce a high climb rate, and it takes forever to actually see a reaction), sidesticks not connected.
I think in the end you just need to accept it as it is, stop thinking about the boeing, and adapt to the airbus.
High climb rate, and traffic above? Use V/S in time, or push to level off.
And the airbus does have a lot of pros.
And by the way, II don' trust any airplane. With the right set of malfunctions any aircraft will try to kill me ;-)
Farmer106 is offline  
Old 3rd Mar 2019, 08:13
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 777
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Once you realise that on the Airbus everything is "phase" related then it all fits into place.
Meikleour is offline  
Old 3rd Mar 2019, 08:37
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Having flown both types, I would suggest that a high quality type conversion course is required for the first Airbus rating (particularly at the groundschool stage).

A decent groundschool and instructors should inspire confidence when flying the aircraft.

Not all groundschool and type conversions are of the same quality though.
Cuillin Hills is offline  
Old 3rd Mar 2019, 08:58
  #10 (permalink)  

Dog Tired
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: uk
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Reluctant Bus Driver
Very nice... I can keep up fine thank you.
Yes, bad choice of words. I apologise. I should have advised that if, after all this time, you are still uncomfortable, you should go back.
fantom is offline  
Old 3rd Mar 2019, 11:01
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: England
Posts: 436
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Try us here with some of ‘the wierd stuff’, I’m no expert but for 19 years I have got on with the aircraft just fine after flying the 75/767. It is different in some areas, but if you can accept that, its just another airliner.
Capt Scribble is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.