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

Question: Stab Trim setting - Airbus

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

Question: Stab Trim setting - Airbus

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 14th May 2023, 15:32
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Miami
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question: Stab Trim setting - Airbus

Just asking the audience what is the better practice

On dispatch paperwork, Company provides both TO CG%, and Stab Trim (N/U or N/D x.x)

are folks:

1. setting CG on the trim wheel (inner scale, somewhat harder to see)
2. Stab Trim on the trim wheel, or alternatively,
3. setting stab trim using the trim wheel but references the electronic lower screen display when flight controls page is up.

#3 seems better in a dark cockpit and allows both crews to better see it, in my opinion

Thank you
321XLR is online now  
Old 14th May 2023, 17:45
  #2 (permalink)  
I want a Blue User Title
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Winterthur
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 321XLR
Just asking the audience what is the better practice

On dispatch paperwork, Company provides both TO CG%, and Stab Trim (N/U or N/D x.x)

are folks:

1. setting CG on the trim wheel (inner scale, somewhat harder to see)
2. Stab Trim on the trim wheel, or alternatively,
3. setting stab trim using the trim wheel but references the electronic lower screen display when flight controls page is up.

#3 seems better in a dark cockpit and allows both crews to better see it, in my opinion

Thank you
As per the after start checklist verbal reply should be “XX %” set hence using the reading on the scale. However I also prefer to cross-check with the UP/DN value on FCTL page. Don’t think there is any harm in that as an additional check?
k.swiss is offline  
Old 15th May 2023, 04:30
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wanderlust
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 321XLR
Just asking the audience what is the better practice

On dispatch paperwork, Company provides both TO CG%, and Stab Trim (N/U or N/D x.x)

are folks:

1. setting CG on the trim wheel (inner scale, somewhat harder to see)
2. Stab Trim on the trim wheel, or alternatively,
3. setting stab trim using the trim wheel but references the electronic lower screen display when flight controls page is up.

#3 seems better in a dark cockpit and allows both crews to better see it, in my opinion

Thank you
After some incidents of setting UP instead of DN and vice versa Airbus changed to setting by percentage. In percentage little more or less is not as critical as setting down instead of up. Besides the MCDU page also shows it in %.

Last edited by vilas; 15th May 2023 at 13:12.
vilas is offline  
Old 15th May 2023, 14:00
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We set the percentage. If it’s off by a bit on the index, you’ll never know the difference.

If I recall, as long as you’re in the green band you’re safe.
Check Airman is online now  
Old 15th May 2023, 16:32
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: La Belle Province
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Check Airman
If I recall, as long as you’re in the green band you’re safe.
For specific values of "safe". ;-)

The mistrimmed takeoff tests for certification generally consider the stab at one end of the band and the aircraft (weight, CG, etc) corresponding to the other end. So if no additional failures or unusual circumstances arise, you are indeed "safe".

If "something else" does happen, though, being fully (or partly) mistrimmed could result in a degraded ability to cope with that event.
Mad (Flt) Scientist is offline  
Old 16th May 2023, 08:01
  #6 (permalink)  

Only half a speed-brake
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Commuting not home
Age: 46
Posts: 4,321
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by vilas
the MCDU page also shows it in %.
Say again? Better yet, put that on my Xmas list, pretty please no sarcasm 100%
FlightDetent is offline  
Old 16th May 2023, 18:47
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wanderlust
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by FlightDetent
Say again? Better yet, put that on my Xmas list, pretty please no sarcasm 100%
Some airlines set the stab after start from fuel predictions page.
vilas is offline  
Old 17th May 2023, 08:25
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wanderlust
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Spoiler
 

6th Feb 2015, 06:20vilas my SOP has always shown to select the fuel prediction page to set the CG after engine start. the trim units on the back of the QRH were deleted with an advisory circular informing that this procedure was unnecessary for this airplane and only to be used on the company A300's
​​​​​​​Old discussion on the same subject.
vilas is offline  
Old 17th May 2023, 09:27
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ziltoidia... indeed'd.
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by FlightDetent
Say again? Better yet, put that on my Xmas list, pretty please no sarcasm 100%
PITCH TRIM
PITCH TRIM handwheel................................................... ...........................................................S ET
Set takeoff CG on pitch trim handwheel.

Same thing here, in my SOP, in the after start flow, the stab trimm should be set following the CG for take off, which should be compared using the TO CG from the loadsheet and the GW CG displayed in the FUEL PRED page. In reality everybody keeps using the DN or UP figures from the load sheet because it is more straight forward, but it has already happened to me taking off using DN instead of UP of viceversa. It had almost NIL effect during rotation because the value of the trim itself was quite close to zero, but I can imagine it being somewhat of an issue with hight values.
iggy is offline  
Old 17th May 2023, 12:40
  #10 (permalink)  

Only half a speed-brake
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Commuting not home
Age: 46
Posts: 4,321
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Thank you.

I assumed a (non-existent) MOD to display % on the PERF T. O. p.g. in lieu of stab trim units.

Always has been a big fan of ditching the NU/ND +/- altogether, although being forced to the complete opposite corner by present SOP.

Unfortunately what's explained is a complete nono here as the TO pg has TO CG units whereas FUEL has the present calculated CG. The difference being the moment effect of taxi fuel used........... Yes. I know. But 'more busy, more safe', captain.

Enjoy your rules, best wishes.

​​​​​​

FlightDetent is offline  
Old 17th May 2023, 13:13
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: La Belle Province
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
An alternative to using the actual +/- physical stab position - which does have a risk of the +/- confusion, or even the "-" sign being dropped from the display, leading to an apparent positive value - is to use a stab "index" rather than values in degrees, with the index chosen such that it is only positive.

In the CRJs, for example, the stab physical travel is +2 to -13 degrees, but the "stab units" value is defined as "2 - stab angle" which results in a value of "0" corresponding to "-2 degrees" and "+15" corresponding to "-13 degrees"; even on the Challenger 600 series, where the range was "0 to -8 degrees" and then "0 to -9 degrees", the "units" concept was used, simply to avoid presenting a negative number with a perceived fear of dropping the minus sign even then. (This may well be a superseded concern, rooted in older display technology)
Mad (Flt) Scientist is offline  
Old 17th May 2023, 15:01
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ziltoidia... indeed'd.
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mad (Flt) Scientist
An alternative to using the actual +/- physical stab position - which does have a risk of the +/- confusion, or even the "-" sign being dropped from the display, leading to an apparent positive value - is to use a stab "index" rather than values in degrees, with the index chosen such that it is only positive.

In the CRJs, for example, the stab physical travel is +2 to -13 degrees, but the "stab units" value is defined as "2 - stab angle" which results in a value of "0" corresponding to "-2 degrees" and "+15" corresponding to "-13 degrees"; even on the Challenger 600 series, where the range was "0 to -8 degrees" and then "0 to -9 degrees", the "units" concept was used, simply to avoid presenting a negative number with a perceived fear of dropping the minus sign even then. (This may well be a superseded concern, rooted in older display technology)
We already have that in the Airbus, the GW CG... with the added benefit that you'll know straight away (in the A320) that when it is below 27 you need to correct the speeds and flex due to stab trimm drag. I don't know why Airbus chose to set up the stab trimm system using some other made up units, having already the CG already calculated in the load sheet and displayed in the FUEL PRED page...
iggy is offline  
Old 17th May 2023, 22:51
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Tropics
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by FlightDetent
Thank you.

I assumed a (non-existent) MOD to display % on the PERF T. O. p.g. in lieu of stab trim units.

Always has been a big fan of ditching the NU/ND +/- altogether, although being forced to the complete opposite corner by present SOP.

Unfortunately what's explained is a complete nono here as the TO pg has TO CG units whereas FUEL has the present calculated CG. The difference being the moment effect of taxi fuel used........... Yes. I know. But 'more busy, more safe', captain.

Enjoy your rules, best wishes.

​​​​​​
As I understand you need to enter the NU/ND +/- into the MCDU to ttrigger the F/CTL PITCH TRIM/MCDU/CG DISAGREE caution if the trim is set wrongly.
dream747 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.