Thread: Airbus Type Rating

Just thought I'd start a thread on the Airbus type rating as I know there are a small handful of us currently in the process of doing one (some awaiting final test for the Airbus rating).

I'm going to write a blog once I've finished including everything from type rating preparation all the way through to the line training phase so keep your eyes peeled...

Anyway, for those of us doing the training how do you think it's going and what do you make of the Airbus? So far my opinion is that it's a dream to fly with the likes of autotrim, self tuning nav aids, abilities to fly non precision approaches automatically and a very user friendly 'ECAM' displaying checklists automatically when something fails or goes wrong, saving you the 'hassle' of scrambling for paper checklists.

What do we think of it? It's open to everyone not just those that are doing the type rating / flying one presently, but also to those who just have interest in the fancy bit of kit

I am also on a Type Rating course like Hotdog, waiting for Airbus skills test this Thursday. So far I am loving the airbus, as you say, the auto trim makes manual flying very easy along with an ECAM which pretty much tells you what to do if anything goes wrong. Certainly enjoying more than my small experience in a 737.

However, I am imagining a possible change to Boeing in the future would be very hard work. It's all to easy to find yourself being 'out of the loop' with Airbus and not actually experiencing real hands on flying like you do with a Boeing. Do you think the same thing?

There are certainly enough opportunities with Airbus to have a long career without ever touching a Boeing. But I can see myself wanting a challenge in the future and hopefully fly a Boeing.

Below are a few images taken during the type rating:

One of the A320 simulators along with the brand new Boeing 737-800


A lot of stress and sweat has been evident in this machine:


Top quality learning aids

I imagine due to the fly-by-wire scenario that it will feel like a sim all the time due to lack of feedback on the Yoke?

Is there any artifically generated feedback on the yoke so you can feel what the surfaces are doing?

Originally Posted by Aviator|Chris

I imagine due to the fly-by-wire scenario that it will feel like a sim all the time due to lack of feedback on the Yoke?

Is there any artifically generated feedback on the yoke so you can feel what the surfaces are doing?

There is no feedback at all with the Airbus, and no yoke either- just a side stick like the one you use to fly a plane on home PC flight simulators! Bit weird to get used to but when you do its a dream and you will wonder how on earth you ever managed to trim and fly a 'real' aeroplane...

Haha so maybe like a giant version of the Cirrus I once wrestled with for 10 hours?

Do you have a manual trim on top of the side-stick? I found that really useful on the Cirrus! Although thinking about it, the cirrus trim actually manually adjusted the shaft that attached the side-stick to the controls and a reading could be taken from the scale printed on the shaft in relation to the panel combing. So in your case I guess the sidestick would still centre after trim?

When the aircraft is working all swimmingly, it is all auto trimmed. It is fantastic. Put the aircraft on an attitude and it will stay there. Set a 30degree bank turn and let go, it will stay there. It is like magic.

Should the plane go into direct law (when some computers break / gear goes down while in alternate law) the aircraft acts more like a conventional aircraft and you have to manually trim. This is done by using the trim wheel next to the thrust levers.

I have personally found the flying part of the type rating easy, it is the cockpit management and knowing what the aircraft is doing is the toughest task. Got my first day of Airbus Skills test today, so we'll see how it goes.

Hey guys, I am just waiting for LST now as well and would echo everything that you have said. Compared to the 737-3 that was used for the AQC it is a dream to fly. As you mentioned the real issue is actually understanding what the aircraft is doing or about to do. It is all too 'easy' to incorrectly select a mode and not fully understand what it is going to do.

The one thing I thought was quite surprising was actually how poor the climb performance was with one-engine out. I realised it was going to be poor but never quite thought it would be that low!

Only a week or two until you boys are up at FL340!

Good luck with the LST Baxter. No doubt will give you a call over next few days. Just had first day of induction today and ordered the uniform. All getting more and more real every day.

Don't suppose you're in Luton this week?