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A220 pilots warned of premature rotation risk if autopilot inadvertently engaged
By David Kaminski-Morrow18 November 2022

Airbus A220 operators have been ordered to alert pilots to the possibility of premature rotation on take-off as a result of inadvertent autopilot engagement.

The warning is contained in an emergency directive from Transport Canada, which states that “several” events have occurred in which crews have accidentally activated the autopilot late in the take-off phase, or while trying to re-engage a disconnected autothrottle.

If the autopilot – which is not inhibited – is activated too early, it could command an increase in pitch to capture a pitch target, resulting in premature rotation.

This could occur even at speeds below the V1 decision speed, possibly causing the twinjet to become airborne with low energy or suffer a tail-strike if the take-off is not aborted.

“Premature [aircraft] pitch-up will require the crew to intervene immediately,” the directive stresses.

The autopilot would normally not be engaged below 400ft, as this is prohibited in the aircraft’s flight manual.

Airbus Canada, which manufactures the A220, has issued operational procedures for autothrottle selection, and instances in which the autothrottle disconnects on take-off.

“Operators should be aware that the autothrottle cannot be re-engaged if it becomes disconnected on takeoff above 60kt and below 400ft,” says the Transport Canada directive, which covers both the A220-100 and -300.

“Crews should not attempt to re-engage the autothrottle if it becomes disconnected on take-off as this may lead to an unsafe condition if the autopilot is inadvertently engaged.”

Operators have been instructed to amend the aircraft flight manual to include a warning over autopilot engagement on take-off, stating that it can result in premature rotation, tail-strike, an inability to climb or loss of control.

Type specific procedures... [repeat ad nauseum]

Rampaging raccoons add to Airbus factory headaches
From Reuters

Montreal/Paris Reuters —

A family of raccoons recently broke into an Airbus factory in Canada, adding an unusual headache to the planemaker’s more familiar troubles with parts shortages and supply chain snags.

Five of the baby mammals were found inside the plant near Montreal, which produces A220 airliners, sources told Reuters, after their mother was spotted climbing the landing gear of a jet being produced for a European airline.

“A guy came face to face with the raccoon, after having entered the plane,” a factory worker said.

A second source said damage included urine and chewed wires.

Workers on the overstretched assembly line had to be pulled off normal jobs to undertake the time-consuming task of quarantining the first jet and inspecting for damage from the furry intruders, which are known for foraging in trash cans for food.

Airbus confirmed the discovery of a family of raccoons on one plane but declined to say whether they had further delayed production or caused any damage.

“The aircraft is pursuing its assembly process,” a spokesperson said, adding measures had been put in place to ensure safety and quality.

While the incident is only a temporary headache, it comes as Airbus is scrambling to speed up production, having warned airlines that it faces another three years of delivery delays as it works through a backlog of supply-chain problems.

Recent snags include missing engines, late arrivals of components and delayed interiors, Airbus has said. But rarely have its contingency plans had to deal with stray omnivores at the rural plant.

“We had to open everything back up to inspect,” explained the second source.

Airbus said the animals had been removed to a safe location.

Rampaging raccoons add to Airbus factory headaches

A 5 Year Old Airbus A220 Has Already Been Scrapped

EgyptAir has dismantled its first A220-300, SU-GFA, after less than three years in service. Three more will be parted out for Breeze. Bought for $1.2 billion, the fleet was sold for $300 million. Azorra received six; five for spares, one remains in operation.

This is an incredibly short service life even by Airbus (home of the disposable airplane) standards.

This is an incredibly short service life even by Airbus (home of the disposable airplane) standards.

(...)
Kindest regards, Dr. Sigmund von Verbal

Agree, I'm sorry.

You have sorry company there.

You may also wish to continue recycling AD.com in-jokes from 20 years ago ad nauseum for the benefit of all three of us who continue to visit this site.