So, ever since these OPD arrivals have shown up in the ATC system, I am more and more concerned with the inability of the Airbus to be able to fly such arrivals in PROFILE, especially trying to get back onto these arrivals after the center has issued headings and airspeeds that are non consistent with the OPD procedures. Throw in there unexpected higher tail winds and you have a recipe for a disastrous arrival. I have been flying this aircraft for 8 years now and feel it is time to start asking questions ............. Why are we having to tolerate this kind of inadequate and faulty issue of this airplane in profile mode ? The blue line speed is a big issue in that the aircraft cannot hold the blue line speed on a consistent basis and the end results can be anything from overspeeds into the "zipper" on climbout or descents, to ridiculous plus or minus 20 to 30 knot deviations from the blue line speed. I am preaching to the choir on this as anyone who flies the Airbus A300/A310 should be able to understand what I am saying here ............ Does anyone else out there have these issues ? What say you ???

 

Yes, the A300 has problems calculating the multiple alt and speed constraints. However most of the airspeed deviations are a result of how Profile was designed to operate. Navigation section 20-1-0-115

 

We underutilize the "Unable" response.

 

Gunter ............ I believe that would be an appropriate action, UNABLE due to profile inop............

 

LVL CH, speedbrakes, and gear if you need it.

 

level and 300 or greater.....Then descend and be at 230 at the point....UNABLE.

 

asking questions and discussions are good to have on blogs but I assume you have filed ASAP ? If not, that is the place to start.

 

Maybe, maybe not. An ASAP provides a feedback loop into the system when there's an uncoordinated deviation from a clearance or exceeded limit. However, advising ATC that you're not going to put the aircraft at undue risk to accommodate unrealistic traffic management is just good airmanship IMO. "Unable", is a report really required for that?

 

Somewhat true, but system or in this case aircraft issues can be reported and the ERC can direct the correct action or assign it to the correct party to fix/evaluate. ASAP is not just a place to report suspected FAA violations, rather a complete safety reporting system that relies on sole source reports to find out stuff that they do not see. If pilots continue to take care of business and there are no violations, that does not mean that we should not write up the jet's shortcomings or the inability to fly a particular ATC procedure with the automation as designed.

 

I agree 100%. The ASAP program is there for us to report any safety issues, not just possible deviations.