@DCDriver
 

DCDriver, I am interested in where you got your information from.

At least on the A320 fleet at LH the procedure is: Manual Flight - Manual Thrust and vv.

Of course there are some exceptions like flying in turbulance.

Greets, DBate

Flying an approach with tailwind is best done with A/THR ON with selected speed (without managed speed). This gives you added safety. For any winds from the front or even the side managed A/THR is quiet good or even A/THR OFF.

But certainly, learning to get to grips with the aircraft will make you want to fly manually, not only AP OFF, but also A/THR OFF.

Here it's A/THR OFF (by the pilot) = AP OFF, but not vv.

AP OFF does not imply that you have to disengage A/THR.

Every operator has its specialities. There is probably no better solution than doing what your operator wants from you and more importantly what Airbus says. Stick to the books.

EDIT: In an emergency use whatever you've got in any combination.

So anyone got any more input? I was really looking to find out what the rules are with other Airbus Operators? Are YOU allowed to use manual thrust???

Lufthansa, Alitalia, Iberia, TAP Portugal, Midland, Aer Lingus, Finnair, Air France, SAS, Aeroflot, Easyjet, Jet Blue, German Wings ?? ? ? ??? ???

Whats the answers people?

PS I think the Aeroflot Airbus in the new Aeroflot Colours looks GREAT!

In three different airlines flying A320's and A340's I have never come across any restriction in the use of manual thrust. I find autothrust does the job well but I also I also "keep my hand in" by flying some approaches fully manual each month.

No restrictions at my place, and I tend to aggree with the Lufty practice which says if you are hand flying use manual thrust. Airbus recommend not disconecting below 1000ft which given the way the system works is quite sensible so if are taking the autopilot out late you have to stick with a/thr.

Despite what other posters have said and the fact the fbw is supposed to take out the pitch couple I find that in practice it does not take it all out and you end up fighting the pitch changes. As others have said it's a tool that works quite well but it's no better than any other system and has it's failings like any other. Apart from anything else it's a very easy aircraft to fly in manual thrust, the levers have very little friction (no autothrottle clutch) even with g/s mini varying the speed it's easy to keep on top of it.

@ Dave
 

A definite answer for Lufthansa:

On the A320 it's Manual Flight = Manual Thrust.

So long, DBate

Shame is in our era man is dead, and we need a f****** rule for everything.

Is there somewhere an airline which trusts it's pilots and says "Hey guys, you are grown up enough to decide on your own if it's better to use this or that"?


Give me the suggestion.

Explain me why.

I'll then decide.

I'm not a monkey.

:mad:

Have to say that the A/THR on the 320 and 321 is usually excellent. The 'phase change' available by nudging the thrust levers forward out of the detent also works very well as mentioned earlier. G/S Mini also an excellent tool normally.

Having flown both beasts in some interesting typhoon & windshear conditions around here (both at Kai Tak and CLK) I have found that in extremis there can be a large pitch power oscillatory couple build up and in such circumstances manual thrust and setting an average thrust results in a much more stable approach.

Although I have never had cause to use the thrust manually by force (only by choice), come the day it's a bit too late to (re)learn how sensitive it is....much better to keep up the practice IMHO.

Hi I'm with Gulf Air & we're encouraged to fly raw data & manual thrust weather & traffic permitting.It's good idea to practice since our sim checks always consist od some raw data manual flying.:cool:

7E7 said;
"Have flown the 320 series for 6 years and 4000 hours and always found the A/THR does a great job in all types of weather.

Airbus recomends using the A/THR in turbulence and the ground speed mini is excellent (takes a while to get your head round it if you've never come accross it before)

Some of the posts regarding A/THR on the A320 on this thread I can't see coming from genuine airbus pilots!"

I guess he has been lucky enough to be flying the one that works properly!

I have been on the Bus for 5 years and have always thought the autothrust SUCKS !!!

Our company allows manual thrust operations, and in windy conditions you find most guys (or gals) use selected speed or manual thrust.