AA takes off without flaps!!!

[TheGuat]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva][FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva][FONT=ARIAL,]The flight was AA 937 from MCO to MIA, an Airbus 300.

A little background for this story. My friend was on this flight and has a private pilots license. He enjoys sitting behind the wing and watching the flaps, and other control surfaces do their thing. In addition to being a private pilot, he flies as a passenger a lot on AA.

Today, during taxi to the runway, my friend is sitting behind the wing and watches the wing for the flap extension before take-off. Friend starts to panic because as the plane approaches the runway and turns for take-off, still no flaps. With one of the F/A's sitting in front him, he tells the FA about the flaps not being set and the FA reaches for the phone to the flight deck but then hangs it up w/o saying anything. My friend now is really in a panic as the plane begings its take-off roll. However, the A300 takes-off with plenty of runway to spare and after landing in MIA, my friend asked the pilot during deplaning why no flaps and the pilot said that sometimes we can do no flaps to save gas!!! However, the pilot did say that slats were used.

Flight was relatively full and we are talking a widebody here. I'm also someone who enjoys sitting behind the wing and watching the flaps on take-off and landing. From everything I've read and heard, I though that flaps were a must and I'd probably have panicked a little to.

After all, how many other people on the flight were looking out the window thinking, oh my god, there's something wrong? Is this something airlines are now doing to save gas or has it always been done? Anyone else here would have thought something was wrong? I got a good laugh out of this and thought Id share with you all!![/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

 

[FoxHunter]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva][FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva][FONT=ARIAL,]The flight was AA 937 from MCO to MIA, an Airbus 300. [/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva][FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva]A little background for this story. My friend was on this flight and has a private pilots license. He enjoys sitting behind the wing and watching the flaps, and other control surfaces do their thing. In addition to being a private pilot, he flies as a passenger a lot on AA. [/FONT]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva]Today, during taxi to the runway, my friend is sitting behind the wing and watches the wing for the flap extension before take-off. Friend starts to panic because as the plane approaches the runway and turns for take-off, still no flaps. With one of the F/A's sitting in front him, he tells the FA about the flaps not being set and the FA reaches for the phone to the flight deck but then hangs it up w/o saying anything. My friend now is really in a panic as the plane begings its take-off roll. However, the A300 takes-off with plenty of runway to spare and after landing in MIA, my friend asked the pilot during deplaning why no flaps and the pilot said that sometimes we can do no flaps to save gas!!! However, the pilot did say that slats were used.[/FONT]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva]Flight was relatively full and we are talking a widebody here. I'm also someone who enjoys sitting behind the wing and watching the flaps on take-off and landing. From everything I've read and heard, I though that flaps were a must and I'd probably have panicked a little to. [/FONT]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva]After all, how many other people on the flight were looking out the window thinking, oh my god, there's something wrong? Is this something airlines are now doing to save gas or has it always been done? Anyone else here would have thought something was wrong? I got a good laugh out of this and thought Id share with you all!![/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

On the A300-600 a zero flap take off is normal under certain conditions.

 

[ATLDRVR]

Do you know who the worst pax to have on board a commercial flight? A private pilot!

 

[Critter717]

It's common practice to use derated engine power as well.

 

[Mamma]

Hey TheGuat,
With all the experience you infer in your profile you should have known the answer. Exactly what aircraft have you flown and ratings do you have? Flaps are not that complex an issue and getting spun up about your PPL buddy critiquing A300 procedures at AA is odd with someone of your experience. Shouldn't you be on the "general aviation" forum?

 

[Irishav8r]

A-300 B-4 normal operation, even at mtow, slat16 flap0 takeoff.

 

[Oh-ryan]

You had me at 2 exclaimation points. To use 3 is just plain silly.

 

[Cardinal]

Hey Guat, you're sill a tool. http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3046521/ Not even your idiotic friend.

 

[jimcav]

I had a King Air guy one time ask me about a climb power reduction while deplaning. It sounded like he was giving me an oral, and I was doing something wrong. I'm more than willing to answer questions but this wanna-be was just being a jackass. So I just treated him like the tool that he was.

 

[Kharma Police]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva][FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva][FONT=ARIAL,]The flight was AA 937 from MCO to MIA, an Airbus 300. [/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva][FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva]A little background for this story. My friend was on this flight and has a private pilots license. He enjoys sitting behind the wing and watching the flaps, and other control surfaces do their thing. In addition to being a private pilot, he flies as a passenger a lot on AA. [/FONT]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva]Today, during taxi to the runway, my friend is sitting behind the wing and watches the wing for the flap extension before take-off. Friend starts to panic because as the plane approaches the runway and turns for take-off, still no flaps. With one of the F/A's sitting in front him, he tells the FA about the flaps not being set and the FA reaches for the phone to the flight deck but then hangs it up w/o saying anything. My friend now is really in a panic as the plane begings its take-off roll. However, the A300 takes-off with plenty of runway to spare and after landing in MIA, my friend asked the pilot during deplaning why no flaps and the pilot said that sometimes we can do no flaps to save gas!!! However, the pilot did say that slats were used.[/FONT]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva]Flight was relatively full and we are talking a widebody here. I'm also someone who enjoys sitting behind the wing and watching the flaps on take-off and landing. From everything I've read and heard, I though that flaps were a must and I'd probably have panicked a little to. [/FONT]

[FONT=ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva]After all, how many other people on the flight were looking out the window thinking, oh my god, there's something wrong? Is this something airlines are now doing to save gas or has it always been done? Anyone else here would have thought something was wrong? I got a good laugh out of this and thought Id share with you all!![/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

Tool.........