A320 Flap tracking fairing missing - Takeoff performance?

[Superpilot]

Recently had to depart with a Flap track fairing missing. Applied the usual fuel penalty corrections as per CDL. Company then sent paper (PDF) performance charts for us to calculate takeoff performance. The charts had no indication as to what CDL item they were to be applied for, though the document filename contained the CDL reference number.

My question is, where in the CDL or any other official Airbus manual, am I as a pilot referred to this practice of using alternative takeoff performance data for such a configuration deviation? The information provided by the CDL does not suggest I have to do this. Yet our performance manager was adamant the charts serve precisely this purpose?

Thanks

[mcdhu]

Superpilot

Have a look in your CDL GENERAL PERFORMANCE section where it refers to the 2 ways of determining the performance impact of CDL items missing.

One is using the CDL Chapter of the AFM, or
Using AFM_OCTO software (which my airline uses in its tablet performance).

Cheers
mcdhu

[Superpilot]

Thanks, completely missed this section. However, not understanding how "Takeoff and approach climb performance limiting weights are reduced by xxx kg" implies I need to somehow get hold of alternative takeoff performance charts.. Our perf software doesn't have any CDL items in the drop down list we can choose from. If Airbus's FlySmart has the ability to select Flap Track Fairing missing as a CDL item, then I guess it's OK and this whole situation is just a function of my present company's cheap ways. All in all, just another trap for the pilot.

[AerocatS2A]

You need to account for it somehow. If your perf software doesn’t have the ability to add performance penalties then dedicated performance charts would be required. Our company take off performance is via ACARS and has a field for inputting a performance penalty in kg. We have the FlySmart app but don’t use it as yet for takeoff. FlySmart accounts for any CDLs selected in the OLB part of the app.

[FlightDetent]

Superpilot Why not just use the normal charts and deduct the penalty, why you MUST use the re-caluclated set of tables instead (where the penalty condition is not clearly indicated even) ? <--> Is that your dilemma?

AerocatS2A Some Airbus sales people pitch the OLB (and the underlying backoffice SW package) as a way to get properly calculated performance - not the full truth. You can just add the items manually, directly into the TKOF module. I am sure you knew, just to fill the remaining outline.

[Superpilot]

Why not just use the normal charts and deduct the penalty, why you MUST use the re-calculated set of tables instead (where the penalty condition is not clearly indicated even) ? <--> Is that your dilemma?

Hi FD. Ummm, not quite. I personally don't think the following statement: "Takeoff and approach climb performance limiting weights are reduced by xxx kg" implies that we can simply add xxx kg to the actual weight in order to get the new takeoff performance. Some of my colleagues do. But then on the other hand, where is the explicit statement in the CDL that says alternative takeoff performance MUST be performed for this situation? The GEN section speaks about how takeoff performance can be calculated (by someone in the back office with the Octo software) but not that we as pilots must do it (the CDL is after all written for the pilot). CDL item 27-01 is clear about the fuel penalty, it gives precise numbers that make people think about fuel. However, there's no (at least no obvious) guidance on how we as pilots, late at night in the middle of nowhere, can determine the performance when the performance manager is in bed.

Appreciate your input. Maybe I'm thinking too hard about it.