A320 Low Autobrake - Type 1 or 2
 

Hi guys,

Is the Autobrake Low Type 1 or 2 setting specific to MSNs or is it a customer option?

Thanks

It’s an update, new mod.

Indeed it‘s a mod. Out whole fleet has had the update now, but flysmart isn‘t updated yet. Is that something thats is comming? Or maybe there already but it costs $£€ and find the beancounters it not worth to purchase?

It’s a mod I can highly recommend. Type 2 braking is very much braking like you would do manually, but with the advantage of being done by autobrake (one application)

Only our newest planes have this mod, and it’s quite nice.

5/5
would recommend

Type 2 activates after 2 seconds delay as against 4 seconds in type 1 also deceleration rate is 2m/sec•2 instead 1.7m/sec*2 resulting in LDR reduction upto 450mtrs. With the rise of fuel saving tactics with increased use of Flap3 landings, it prevents resorting to sometimes eventual manual braking which results in higher brake temperatures and brake wear.

Hopefully my lot will fit it, I mostly find that low is not enough and medium is too aggressive unless you are somewhere really short.

Out of curiosity I wonder how much does it cost to do a modification such as this?

Depends on who’s doing it, I suppose. An IT college student will probably do it during his lunch break if you give him change for the vending machine.

I’m guessing Airbus charges 5 or 6 figures.

Can someone here pls elaborate how this Type1/2 selection happens? I couldn't find anything via a quick google search. :)

Hi Vilas.

Thanks for the information. I was unaware of the change of the Autobrake low setting. I checked in our FCOM, that modification is quite old actually. Our fleet is equipped since March 2016.

It was not available in 2016. You may be referring to something else.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0eeb1f4ea.jpeg
According to the date on top it’s from March 2016. I have a FCOM from 2018 also showing the same 🤔.

It’s a modification, not a selectable mode.

Okie, thanks a lot.

How would I know though, if some particular MSN has had the upgrade?

The easiest way is to do what pineteam did and go to FCOM-DSC-32-30-20-AUTO BRAKE PANEL and see what the parameters are for the low setting. If it’s 2 m/s2 deceleration after 2 seconds then it’s the newer version, if it’s 1.7 after 4 it’s the older one.

You could also try and find it in the modification section at the front of the FCOM. Look for “LANDING GEAR - NORMAL BRAKING - MODIFY AUTOBRAKE LOW MODE SETTINGS” and see what aircraft it’s been applied to.

You can also check the FCOM filtered for your MSN and check the As installed table at the front of the FCOM.

It’s not on there for ours.

It's not there in the "As installed table" as well for us but our fleet has the modifications done.

If your fleet has it FCOM systems should now show for Autobrake LO the deceleration should be 2m/s^2 and start 2s after spoiler extension.

It is indeed a great improvement from the old setting.