I have seen a few youtube videos of large airliners taking off without flaps, the A300-600 and USAIRWAYS 767-200ER in particular. Is this a common practice? Are the slats set at least or are they taking off clean like a general aviation aircraft would?
I could imagine being very troubled if I were a passenger on one of these flight, was sitting on the wing, and noticed us being on the runway ready for takeoff with the flaps still retracted.
Aircraft configuration is determined by modeling the entire departure sequence. For example, a short runway requires a shorter takeoff roll, flaps usually are the answer. The downside is that the subsequent climb gradient suffers due to the use of greater flaps.
Conversely, plenty of runway but a significant obstacle on climbout requires a steeper climb gradient. Generally, less flaps result in steeper climb gradients, but the takeoff roll suffers.
All of the operators of these large aircraft have detailed procedures for determining what the exact configuration should be for each specific departure. Luckily, most operators actually have computers and software that has each airfield in the database that will allow the analysis of multiple configurations and multiple runways on each departure, allowing the crew to use the most optimum departure profile.
FWIW, they may not have had NO flaps - many large aircraft can depart at a low flaps setting such as "flaps 5" or so. For aircraft with slats/leading edge devices, look to see if those are deployed. I can't imagine that any of those aircraft would depart with a completely clean wing.
I have seen a few youtube videos of large airliners taking off without flaps, the A300-600 and USAIRWAYS 767-200ER in particular. Is this a common practice? Are the slats set at least or are they taking off clean like a general aviation aircraft would?
I could imagine being very troubled if I were a passenger on one of these flight, was sitting on the wing, and noticed us being on the runway ready for takeoff with the flaps still retracted.
The initial flaps settings (1, 2, 5 on the Boeings and config 1 on airbus and slats only on the MD-80) show very little if any trailing edge flap. However, as part of the warning sys, if you attempt to takeoff AND the systems are operating, you will get a takeoff warning horn if not in a takeoff configuration and that includes some flaps (leading edge or trailing edge)
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I have seen a few youtube videos of large airliners taking off without flaps, the A300-600 and USAIRWAYS 767-200ER in particular. Is this a common practice? Are the slats set at least or are they taking off clean like a general aviation aircraft would?
I could imagine being very troubled if I were a passenger on one of these flight, was sitting on the wing, and noticed us being on the runway ready for takeoff with the flaps still retracted.
The 767 200 ER
FLAPS 1 – The slats extend to the midrange position.
– The flaps remain retracted.
Although not a "large" airliner, I believe the DC9 has cards for a take off with slats extended and flaps 0.
Done it MANY times in the C-9B (DC9-30). Especially when flying with Carrier Airwing guys, I would make a PA announcement to put everybody at ease. It makes for some looooong takeoff rolls but it was a normal takeoff procedure.
Done it MANY times in the C-9B (DC9-30). Especially when flying with Carrier Airwing guys, I would make a PA announcement to put everybody at ease. It makes for some looooong takeoff rolls but it was a normal takeoff procedure.
C9
Funny you say this because I can just imagine a plane load of pilots screaming that the flaps are up as they hear the power come up!
I know I would be wondering myself!
I dont think any passenger would ever know the difference. Following the PA they would then say to...probably me jumpseating.."what are flaps." It would certainly disrupt my nap.
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