Ask The Pilot

[CWM]

Hello folks, always wondered what is a typical departure climb rate (feet/min) for big metal?

 

[jb747]

Hello folks, always wondered what is a typical departure climb rate (feet/min) for big metal?

Weight is the biggest factor here. A 767 doing a domestic sector could easily hit 6000 fpm (though generally they'll operate at greatly reduced thrust, and so limit the climb rate to around 4000 fpm). The same aircraft operating at maximum weight would be reduced to half that.

Big metal...an A380 at maximum weight (569 tonnes, and 72k RR engines) will average 2000 fpm from 3000 feet to 10,000. Reduce the weight to about 480 tonnes, and the same climb would average 3000 fpm. Again, climbs are normally derated, so you can take about 25% off those rates.

Rate of climb decreases more or less linearly, until, at max usable altitude it's around 300 fpm.

From memory the 747 has a slightly better climb rate than the 380 (at a given % of max weight), but it generally has a max usable altitude that's about 2000 feet lower. I was actually surprised that the 380's vertical performance was as good as it is. Previous Airbus aircraft have been notable as only climbing because the earth is curved.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I was actually surprised that the 380's vertical performance was as good as it is. Previous Airbus aircraft have been notable as only climbing because the earth is curved.

Qantas bought the higher rated engines after all.

EDIT: Or should I say leased...

 

[jb747]

Qantas bought the higher rated engines after all.

That makes no real difference. The higher rating is take off thrust. Whilst derates are based on percentages, the difference in thrust at a climb rating is small. Remember too, that QF uses the higher rated engines because it also operates at heavier weights.

 

[Dismounted]

Previous Airbus aircraft have been notable as only climbing because the earth is curved.

Haha. A346 anyone?

 

[yohy?!]

Haha. A346 anyone?

Lol I actually like the a340 climb rate, easy to sleep through

 

[mjt57]

There are potentially thousands of messages. Only a very few require instant action from memory (there's about 20 for the 380 and less for the 744). And I'll bet that most of them are ones that the collective FF group wouldn't expect.

In almost all cases they will be actioned from either a paper checklist or the EICAS. Much safer and more reliable than memory.

How or what is actioned via EICAS? Can you give us an example, please?

If the alarm systems or "advisory messages" or whatever you call them are as cryptic as what we often see on power plant alarm systems, you'd have to look them up in a manual, presumably (can these be iPad based?)?

 

[mjt57]

Whilst I'll let JB clarify this, no they don't get equal priority. I believe they get priority in order of which one will kill you first and deal with that.

Sorry, I don't think I made myself clear.

Yes, I realise that "serious" alarms will be immediately actioned while more "benign" ones will be looked at, humm'ed and ha'ed over and perhaps noted in the log. I was refering more to how each one would be acted on relative to its seriousness.

In any case, it doesn't matter. JB has answered our questions.

 

[jb747]

Poor choice of words by me....

EICAS will only give the warning. ECAM is the Airbus system that gives the warnings, and then later the checklist actions.

 

[jb747]

If the alarm systems or "advisory messages" or whatever you call them are as cryptic as what we often see on power plant alarm systems, you'd have to look them up in a manual, presumably (can these be iPad based?)?

The current manual runs under Windows 2000/XP on a couple of laptops. Sadly there is no paper or PDF form, making it the worst possible system for any study or 'homework'. Replacing it with iPads (which would be vastly superior for the manuals, performance applications, and Jeppesen charts) is something we'd all love, but I expect the bean counter reaction will simply be to point at whatever already exists....after all it's both paid for, and more importantly, they don't have to use it.

 

[mjt57]

...but I expect the bean counter reaction will simply be to point at whatever already exists....after all it's both paid for, and more importantly, they don't have to use it.

That's a pity. All this technology and you're stuck with what appears to be a second rate support system.

 

[atc]

Hey guys and gals. A friend of mine told me about this thread so i thought id register and possibly answer some q's.

Im an Air Traffic Controller working from brisbane enroute ATC center. By the way, some excellent information in this thread!

 

[QF WP]

atc, welcome to AFF.

You may know markis10 then (former BNE ATC, IIRC) and two of my friends who currently work there.

 

[markis10]

Depends on how long, I was on short term course 69, with Adam who I believe is a senior in the tower at Brisbane!

 

[NM]

Its been reported that VH-OQA has been taken for a test flight at SIN. Would such a test operation be crewed by QF flight crew or by Airbus pilots?

 

[atc]

Depends on how long, I was on short term course 69, with Adam who I believe is a senior in the tower at Brisbane!

Im quite new, only been around a year

 

[markis10]

Im quite new, only been around a year

Welcome aboard, I hope you are enjoying it!

 

[Nigelinoz]

Welcome atc.
Always nice to see new members joining our forum,I look forward to reading your contributions.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[jb747]

Its been reported that VH-OQA has been taken for a test flight at SIN. Would such a test operation be crewed by QF flight crew or by Airbus pilots?

I don't know. If it was still VH registered, then I'd expect there might be licencing issues for AB pilots to fly it...though I'm sure there would be ways around that. At a guess I'd say it was done by the blokes who take delivery for QF....or any else who's equally expendable.

 

[jb747]

I'll most likely be off the air for the next week or so, as I descend into the bowels of outback SA and the Flinders.....