Expert: Ned Dolan - 1/5/2005

Question
Hi Ned ,
I was only a private pilot and never had an instrument rating or flew a jet . I now only fly the Microsoft FS2002 and love it .  I like to fly a Falcon 900 in the sim . A fellow posted a question on the Simviation forum and was having difficulty getting a 320 Airbus off of the ground and also having difficulty losing altitude .  
I suggested approx. 15 degrees of flaps for takeoff and spoilers for losing speed and altitude plus possibly lowering gear and flaps .  Seems I read that you cannot deploy spoilers and flaps .  I did tell him that I had never flown a jet and was not really knowledgeable .
I realize this is not critical and may work for the simulator , but wonder what is actually done in real flying ?

I also wonder if you could disclose the airline for whom you worked ?  I have known some older pilots over the years .

Thanks ,

Jamie

Answer
Hi Jamie, I am not familiar with the Airbus line. Each aircraft type will have different limits for deploying spoilers in conjunction with slata/flaps/gear. Sorry I can't answer your question any better.

In the real world descents are normally made at idle power and clean (no flaps/slats or spoilers) until its time to reduce speed for landing. On occasion, due to ATC requirements, it is necessary to hurry down. That is, to use spoilers and or flaps/slats to get down quickly.

I worked for Eastern Air Lines from 1962 to 1991. Then for a variety of airlines including Skywest, USAfrica and Korean Airlines.

Ned