Rob,
It seems that the Posky Airbuses do take a bit of flying and I'm certainly not seeking to educate any aging canines here but the Posky FAQs might help?
<<A330
Q) Is this right? The A330 doesn?t climb like a rocket?
A) People need to get over this notion that planes climb straight to their cruise altittude. Typical climb profile to initial flight level for the A330-300 is 1500 fpm to 1500 AGL, 250 knots 1800 fpm to 10000FT, increase to 300 knots over 10000 FT, 1800 fpm to FL240, 1300 fpm to FL270. Initial flight level typically is somewhere between FL280 or FL290. Final climb is about 300 fpm to FL280 or 290. A330-300 is a bit more underpowered than ?200.
Q) The A330 is a big aircraft, about as big as a 777. How is taxing the A330?
A) Taxiing the A330 is pretty easy. You should never exceed 32 ? 33% N1 even when heavy to break away and start rolling. Should coast when heavy at about 29% N1. When light, should coast at idle thrust. Not accelerate, but coast.
Q) The nose seems to bit a bit high on landing. Is this correct?
A) Landing angle is about 4 degrees nose up. More than Boeings.
Q) The handling of the A330 seems a lot different than a Boeing during a turn. Why is this?
A) Uses more rudder in a turn than Boeings. In addition, A330 flight system is fly-by-wire.
Q) I seem to loose airspeed quickly. What should I do?
A) Be careful not to let the A330 climb to fast. Nose too high up causes speed loss.
Q) Climbout seems a bit slow when heavy? Am I doing this right?
A) After vR, rotate the nose upwards smoothly. Avoid overrotation. When the wheels are off the ground, raise the landing gear as soon as reasonably possible to gain airspeed. Hold max 1500 fpm until 1500? AGL. Lower the nose as necessary to gain airspeed. The A330 will climb,however, speed is crucial. If terrain permits, do not sacrifice airspeed for altitude.
Q) So what?s a typical climb profile like for an A330-200 or ?300?
A) Climb to 1500 fpm to 1500? AGL, then accelerate to 250 knots (or ATC restriction) @ 1800 FPM. Pulling sharply on the flight stick will result in rapid airspeed loss from bleeding airspeed. Above 10,000? feet, accelerate to 300 knots, 1800 fpm. Initial flight level when heavy should be in the neighborhood of FL280 to FL330. Step climb to final cruise altitude as weight permits.
Q) Nose angle seems high on landing? Different than Boeings. Is this correct?
A) Yes, Airbuses are more angled on approach, where Boeing aircraft are more flat. Verify your trim and landing weight, however, you should see about +4 degrees nose up. Fly straight at the glideslope intercept at about 180 ? 190 knots. At intercept, lower the landing gear and extend to flaps 4. The A330 will maintain about 4 degrees nose up attitude. If you are seeing more than this, adjust your trim.
Q) Should I flare on landing?
A) To avoid tail strike, it is recommended to fly the aircraft straight onto the runway.
Q) What are the operating speeds of the A330?
A) Sorry, I had to edit these pages out. I cannot release all of the information I received.
However, let?s assume a flight from Zurich to Kennedy. Here are some samples you can use:
TO speeds ? at 447,100 lbs (includes ZFW + fuel required for trip 3931 nm)
Temp = 10 deg C., Runway=Dry, Runway Slope=0, Pressure Altitude= 0FT
Required runway length = 3750 M
v1/vR/v2 ? 147/160/165 - CONF 1+F (Flaps position 1)
Landing Speed (Total weight = 355,200 lbs) ? ZFW (343,242) + Fuel (12,000 reserve)
VREF ? 142 knots + wind component
(Disclaimer ? not always accurate in all situations? )
Q) How do I calculate fuel and range? Can you give me a sample trip fuel calcuation to use as a reference?
A) Sure. Let?s continue the above example. Here we will assume a trip from Zurich, Switzerland to New York Kennedy.
Total trip length (example):
3931nm total trip length.
Next, calcuate your travel time, fuel required, then total fuel:
1) Total travel time (westbound ? assuming aloft winds):
3931 nm / 425 Average ground speed = 9.24 hrs
<Note> Assume Average GS ? Westbound ? 425 knots, Eastbound 525 knots)
2) Fuel Required:
9.24 hr * 5300 lb per hour fuel usage = 49,021 lbs X 2 engines = 98,043 lbs
3) Calculate your total fuel:
98,043 lbs (required fuel) + 12,000 lbs (alternate/reserve fuel) + 2,000 lbs (taxi fuel) = 112,043 lbs.
As you can see here, you only need 112,000 lbs fuel to cross the Atlantic on a westbound flight. Only take the fuel you need. Split this and place fuel in both left and right main wing tanks.
Here, your total weight on takeoff would be:
Takeoff weight - 343,242 lbs
+ trip fuel - 112,043 lbs
================================
Total weight 455,285 lbs
As you can see here, you are well below the MTOW of 507,000 lbs. At this configuration, according to the Airbus documentation, you should be able to climb directly from brake trip to FL330 in 17 minutes. If you cannot do this, you are doing something wrong.
Q) What if I can?t climb this quickly or am loosing too much airspeed? What could be wrong?
A) Verify that you only have the fuel you need, do not simply fill up to 100% fuel on all tanks. You will be over the MTOW. Other than that, confirm your gear is up and flaps are clean.
Q) Typically what engine speeds should I be seeing? Do the engines really work this hard?
A) Yes. Of course, it varies by atmospheric conditions, but typically, at cruise, you should see about 88 ? 89% N1 @ M.80, 92 ? 94% N1 at M.82.
>>
If it doesn't help let me know and we'll keep looking.....