Help with A310 Cargo

[EHM-2097 Andrei]

Hi,

I must admit I am a complete newbie (i don't like the term "noob") with heavies, the biggest thing I flew without problems was the class 5 A320. So I apologize if my question and suggestions are rather naive...

I recently gave a try to the A310 cargo. Nice panel, rather complex, it was fun until I found the correct startup procedure. A few technical glitches for which I got the right workarounds and now I am able to take off and go cruising.

But what goes up finally comes down, and here is where I start having trouble. I can't find the correct speed to fly the localizer level part of the approach.

Whatever I do, when the plane intersects the glideslope the nose is going down, very down, and the descent is still way over the glideslope. When the plane finally reaches the glideslope again, the nose doesn't go up fast enough to reduce the descent rate.

In the best of cases, I "landed" 200m short of the runway. In fact, the only time I managed to land this plane ON the runway was when I gave up the glideslope auto-follow and tuned the vertical speed myself.

So I must be doing something wrong but I'm a little out of ideas.

I can see on the PFD that glideslope following is engaged. I imagine that failure to follow the glideslope suggests a too high speed, but the plane is already significantly pitched up during level flight so I fear to fly still slower.

Besides, I have another problem with the same plane (and there may be a connection). The readme file states that for full flaps VRef = 180 kias but even at 170 kias I am not able to deploy them (I get a "load relief" message).

I can think of two solutions but (remember, I'm a newbie? and I don't have a clue how this is done in real life) these may be just nonsense:
- Intercept the glideslope not on level flight but in a shallow descent;
- Decrease the speed before intercepting the glideslope and increasing it again for better maneuverability.

So, I would highly appreciate any idea or, even better, reference of good stuff to read about this.

Or, as a more precise question, what speed do YOU use and with what flaps/slats configuration to intercept the glideslope in the A310?

For further discussions, you can find me about 10ft BELOW RWY27 at EHAM, this is where my latest attempt brought me.

Thanks
Andrei

[EHM-1001 Robert]

Hi Andrei,

welcome to the world of heavies !

The good thing in heavies is they are not so heavies on approach. For this, you need to use as much fuel as you can. Imagine a Boeing 747 with half of passengers and nearly empty fuel tanks can land at 120 kts ! Like a turboprop

So, I advice to calculate better the fuel filling/useage (do not let too much for landing) and try a max 140kts approach speed. Level the plane at 2000' 7nm from the touchdown point. Gear out, Flaps full, speed at 140 kts, and try the autolanding from there. I am sure you will get better results

Good luck next time.

[EHM-2097 Andrei]

Thanks Robert,

Indeed it never occurred to me :$ to think about the weight & fuel on approach. And, of course, I was practicing with the A310 like I used to do with turboprops: a very short flight  off the airport and back.

With full tanks, of course. I must have been WAAY too heavy!

And because of this, I was coming indeed too fast (too embarassed to give figures).

I'll let you know what I'll manage to do with this good piece of advice.

Cheers
Andrei

[EHM-1841 Janos]

Hi Andrei,

One more tip or suggestion.
Many people flying the A310 are frightened that the plane has a +4-5 deg. pitch attitude and try to correct it. Indeed, it is normal, so the big bird likes to land with nose up high (According to factory spec. the most desirable pitch attitude is +4 deg.)

But to have it right, it is very important that the plane is stabilized before G/S capture (at least to the extent winds and weather allows it). As Robert wrote, the landing fuel issue is also crucial, if the plane is too heavy, the A/P won't be able to keep it on the ILS and will overcorrect itself.

Janos

[EHM-2097 Andrei]

Thanks Janos,

Meanwhile (after a few more tests) I took the chance to do a scheduled (and ACAR-ized) flight yesterday with the A310 and she "behaved" well. (I may have been helped by the fact that I was a bit short on fuel when landing).

I noticed indeed the "nose up" pitch im most phases of the flight so it's good to know it's the specs not me .

Cheers
Andrei