Ye Olde Airbus Clock is no more

[A320 Glider]

"The validity of the WTB test is based on the calendar built into the a/c clock so adjusting the clock by more than 9 days will render the test log invalid - causing the slats and flaps to lock. Ordinarily the a/c clock runs with real-time updates off the GPS master clock and shouldn't be changed."

Who remembers when this used to be a thing?
Nice of Airbus to finally fix it.

Edit: I have heard a story or two about a hands on FO who once changed the clock in mid air causing flaps and slats to lock!

[411A NG]

What was the logic here?
I mean - clocks and wing-tip brake. Where's the connection logic I'm currently missing?

[Mad (Flt) Scientist]

Using the clock to monitor/mandate the periodicity of the check?

So if the check has to be done every ten days (say), skipping a bunch of days in the clock would make the system think you had missed a check and it'd cry 'foul'?

Seems a bit extreme.

[8314]

Originally Posted by 411A NG

What was the logic here?
I mean - clocks and wing-tip brake. Where's the connection logic I'm currently missing?

The logic is.... Airbus

[Oriana]

You mean there are people who know how to set that clock?

[iggy]

Originally Posted by Oriana

You mean there are people who know how to set that clock?

Hell yeah, where you think we get our overtime from???

[Uplinker]

Originally Posted by 411A NG

What was the logic here?
I mean - clocks and wing-tip brake. Where's the connection logic I'm currently missing?

The wing-tip brakes need to be checked by engineers every 9 or 10 days, (I don't know the exact details of the check). I think the only 'stay-alive' date and time reference the aircraft has/had was its on-board clock. Presumably there is now another reference.

[Nick 1]

I remember in the old FCOM on the clock section the line * resetting the clock is a maintenance issue * ........

[jmmoric]

"Remember adjusting it daylight saving time"

Then you go home and leave your just checked out colleague.

[lomapaseo]

Is this what they call a "grandfathered clock" ?

[gearlever]

Had it twice on A340. The first one was on grd before departure, MX had it wrong.

The 2nd was inflight......

No more details

[Jump Complete]

I’m not a Bus pilot, but just pulled up the A321 FCOM on my EFB put of curiosity. The section on setting the clock in internal mode states it must be completed within a minute of the CFDS (Centralised Fault Detection System) will need to be reset...[which] is a maintenance operation. Not seeing any warmings not to meddle with clock apart from that (yes I know that normally you wouldn’t but if it’s wrong, you might.)
On another note, just reading the clock section made me glad I’m on a Boeing. I need a lie down in a dark room after that!

[Checkboard]

I do know some pilots who would pull the clock change knob, stopping the clock at departure time.

Then, when they pushed a few minutes late the scheduled departure time would be sent to the company rather than the actual time...

,.. they would reset the clock after pushback.

When I told them about the Wing Tip Brakes being governed by the clock output - they looked at me blankly.

[Check Airman]

Brave souls. I’d rather manually enter each waypoint for a 5 hour flight than try to do anything other than start and stop the ET.

[Roj approved]

Originally Posted by Jump Complete

On another note, just reading the clock section made me glad I’m on a Boeing. I need a lie down in a dark room after that!

In the very dark hours on a 787, I watched the seconds count backwards every time it ticked over a minute. I videoed it to be sure I wasn’t hallucinating. The MX department, Flt Ops and Boeing all said it couldn’t happen, yet it did.

Never had to adjust an Airbus clock, they’ve always marched in the correct direction 😂😂

[CaptainMongo]

A320 Glider,

What is the source for your “clock is no more” thread starter?

If it’s the FCOM, could you please cite the page (we unfortunately do not use the FCOM), if another publication could you direct me to it?

Thanks,