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Question
Can you please confirm that on the Airbus A320 that you fly, Alpha Floor activation will retract the speed brakes? It doesn't on any of the A320s that I've flown in the last 10 years. Is this a new Mod fit? I'm wondering how a function of the auto thrust system can move control services? Does the FADEC on your airbus have this authority?
I have never put the aircraft into Alpha Floor with the speed brakes extended, so I cannot say if the FCOM is correct.
However, referring to FCOM 1.21.10 P11, “…speed brake extension is inhibited if Alpha floor is activated. And, if the inhibition occurs when the speed brakes are extended, they automatically retract…”
According to the FCOM, this is the case with all aircraft within the A320 series.
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Capt Paul
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I can answers questions relating to: aircraft and airline operations; aircraft technical matters relating to a number of different aircraft types; flight operations & flight planning; Aviation meteorology; accident prevention and investigation; the Air Traffic control system and how pilots interact with it; and pilot and airline licensing in the Europe, Asia, Canada and the US. I also answer questions about all types of Navigation, Aviation Weather, Aircraft Performance, Procedures and Aviation law (in general).
Experience
Current Airbus Captain with over 23 years as an airline pilot and over 13,500 hours of experience.
Also experience as a Flight Operations Manager/Director; Chief Pilot; Instructor; Safety Officer, and training as an Accident/Incident Investigator.
Degree in Airline / Aerospace Operations. Minor in Behavioural Psychology and studies in pre-law
BS, Aerospace
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