Originally Posted by
reddog25
Yes...the same is true for the 320s...especially at lighter weights. The approach speeds at lighter weights are so slow that if you are not agressive with the speed brakes and gear (THE BIG SPEED BRAKE) you will not be stable at 1000' and will be doing a go-around.
That wastes a lot more fuel than configuring early
Was giving OE to a F/O who came off the -88 and was used to configuring later. After our go-around at CVG he realized that a G/A was more work than configuring early
In my limited experience with the bus, you don't have to necessarily be early, just aggressive. I came into DTW late the other night, around 130K. Did 250KIAS until 8 mi out, then went managed speed, gear down, full boards, and dropped the flaps on speed, and it worked out great. Maybe it worked because we didn't have a Vapp of 123KIAS in a 319 with crummy AT.
It was a smooth as glass evening, and that helps a lot. You really have to be careful in turbulent, gusty conditions as to not overspeed the flaps. Truth is, you just have to be aggressive or you won't make it.