Short Field landings in fully loaded heavies

[Nexus]

I'd say you're correct Beefhole (regarding flaps and engine failures)
In the case of the airbus, I already told you the the Blue system will fix the slats for you. However the flap system uses yellow and green hydraulic power so the A330 crew on the Transat flight had no access to the flap system if I have got my facts straight

[Brute]

Back to the original question...why not retract the flaps? That would put more weight on the wheels and increase available braking force. Also, you probably wouldn't have to hold at the MDA the whole way in, a normal descent would still allow you to keep your speed down.

Well I know this is very late, but the thoughts wondered back into my head on a recent landing, anyway.

I wouldn't retract the flaps because in my experience most surfaces that are less than 4500ft are x-wind general aviation runways at large airports or unpaved strips, and since you wouldn't want to risk the lives of people at the airport you would take the long paved runway, this IMHO for the most purposes eliminates paved runways....no? So the runways that would makes soft runways the likely area of operation, retracting the flaps puts more weight on the tires, however the soft ground such as gravel, planks (in Laos...i think), bricks, grass, etc. so IMHO aerodynamic braking and thrust reversing seem more feasible. About the brakes to RTO comment, i was saying that simply because it works, im aware of the consiquences of doing so.


P.S In the FS2004 main forum I can't post, because it says im banned from this forum what did I do?

[Saratoga]

Ok well lemme address some things from a pilot's perspective.

I ain't a big fan of autobrake myself, I much prefer manually braking it just for the wear savings (and maybe more challenge).
When it is used, Autobrake 1 is used on a long dry runway where you are in no rush to exit.
Autobrake 2 is for the long but not huge runways or a quick exit.
Autobrake 3 is for bad conditions, VERY short runway or heavy load, most pilots manually do it at this stage though.
Autobrake MAX is only used in the most dire situations, bad landings where you touch down hard or what not. It does not slam the nosegear down, in most airplanes autobrakes actually don't kick in until the nosegear is down. You risk, especially on older airplanes, damaging the tires or the brakes if you use the Autobrake MAX setting.
RTO applies maximum sustainable brake power if the power is retarded to idle after takeoff power is attained. This will under most conditions blow the tires, but the brakes are normally still in good condition (for airplane brakes anyways) after it is all over.
Most airline pilots I know (myself included) immediately stomp on the brakes if something goes wrong, just a natural reaction we learned in smaller planes. In the Boeing jets, if the pilot applies any brakes during the takeoff roll the RTO setting automatically kicks to the OFF setting. Which works for us, we can apply more brake pressure and can vary it as necessary (if the airplane is stopped using the RTO setting, it is extremely uncomfortable, like slamming the brakes on in a car or throwing into first doing like 80 in a manual, you get tossed all over the place).

Hope it helps.

[Brute]

Thanks for all the helpful criticism, I too am a pilot, although not a Bus-driver like yourself, and my plane doesn't have autobrakes , and totally enjoy flying, that and the other 'thing' are the two things that make me happy, BTW how did you guys get your liscences? Im working on my PPL, but my age (14) keeps the liscence just out of my reach:(

[Saratoga]

Well at 14 you are already on your way, just keep up and stay motivated. I got my PPL in High School, finished my Instrument also. Rest of my licenses from the Air Force. Quick and easy!

[Brute]

The AF..... black guy has no place there. but my instructor calls me a natural, he actually fell asleep during one of my flights....I should have set the Tachometer back:-\ oops. But anyway Im trying.

[Saratoga]

Ahh you could do great in the Air Force. Race isn't a problem. Some of the best people (and definetly the best First Sergeants) I ever met were African American. And as a flight instructor I trained plenty of pilots.

Honestly, African Americans take more time, they WANT to earn the license, not just fight with the plane. They want to enjoy the flight and do it right. I have actually had an African American student tell me he wanted to continue flying so he could do it right.

[Brute]

lol, I hear your point, but I'd rather not kill for my liscence, not saying the military is a bunch of rambo killers, the opposite can be the case, but the man in charge is, and the man behind after him could be worse, I don't wanna gamble that

[chomp_rock]

My advice to you:

I understand not wanting to join the AF, I don't like being pushed around and yelled at either. I also don't like putting my life at risk for anything. Work hard in school and go to college, major in something you like and will make loads of money; you'll probably need it.  Save your pennies, don't waste them on booze, cigarettes, loud stereos, big rims, loud exhaust pipes and other useless crap for you car.

[Saratoga]

Well I don't want to argue, I have full faith in the United States military and it's Commander in Chief. Chomp, if you are a pilot in the Air Force, you're an officer. And as an officer, you don't get yelled at or pushed around (unless you really mess up). Basic training is overstated, not too hard at all. Especially the Air Force training, it's mentally focused and you don't do tons of PT.
Whatever happens, go to college, have some fun but work hard in your classes. After that's out, you have several options. Either finish your training in a flight school somewhere if you have the money, or enlist in the Air Force and don't accept the terms until the recruiter guarantees you a spot in OCS (Officer's Candidate School). Finish your pilot training, apply for an airline (or finish your military term, then do the same) and wait. It can take several months to find a job, but eventually your perserverence will pay off and you'll be on top of the world.