The Boeing 737 vs. the Airbus A320

[Marko Ramius]

What's the deal with that "jack hammer" sound before push back and after block in. I'm guessing the cargo door?? Or the "clank" when releasing brakes on position and hold?

It's the PTU. The two primary engine driven hydraulic systems on the 320 are the green and the yellow. The PTU is a backup pump that is plumbed in between the two systems. Basically, when the PTU senses low pressure on either side of the pump it kicks in to bring the low powered system back up to 3000 psi. It kind of works like a flexing accordian to pump up the system which is what that sound you hear is. You hear it either because only one engine is running or it's going through a self test.

 

[TWA Dude]

Deactivating them keeps you sharp on power settings and makes you a better pilot. More fatiguing but better.

You didn't use any smileys so I can't tell if you're being funny or not.

 

[glasspilot1]

You didn't use any smileys so I can't tell if you're being funny or not.

Hey Dude!

I don't think he was trying to be funny!

 

[TWA Dude]

Hey Glass. I was afraid of that.

 

[SennaP1]

And Northwest has discovered that the Bus is a 15 year airplane - their maintenance costs are hugh.

I'll take the American made Boeing 737 New Generation. It's designed for 55-60,000 hours of quick turns, hard landings and short fields. It also has an all metal tail.

Also, it's my preference to put meat and potatoes on the table for an American worker in Seattle rather than Brie and Bourdeau on the table for some socialist in Toulouse.

GV

Yeah that'll be nice when the tail on the 787 will say "Made in China"

I'll take the French over the Chinese.

Hopefully that portion of "Meat and Potatoes" isn't a McDonald's Value Meal.

Old News really about "American Made" Boeings.

I'm sure there's plenty of Airbus work over here too.

 

[NEDude]

I don't have any time in either, but I must ask the question, what is wrong with having to flip a few switches? Having had most of my time in the BE-1900, I was amazed at how little work there was to do in the 737-200 when I did my type. To hear guys complain about too much work on the overhead is simply laughable.

Gordon Bethune talks about the 737NG in his book "From Worst to First". He names after one of the aircraft seats, something like "The seat 4A principle". Basically it stated that when they were re-designing the 737, if it was a redesign that would cost the passenger in seat 4A more money, then they wouldn't do it. The 737 systems were proven and reliable, and they didn't feel it was worth the expense to re-design a switch just for the sake of automation.

I do find it funny that people think it is a novel concept these days that a pilot may actually have to operate the airplane, instead of it doing it all for you.

 

[GogglesPisano]

Flipping switches is fun and all, but I'd eally rather just read the paper and eat.

 

[yaks]

Too bad the (bus) automation, for all the time and money spent developing it, sucks. If you are a pax it doesn't matter. If you are a pilot you want the boeing.

 

[RocketRob]

The A320 cockpit is without a doubt the most comfortable, automated, and ergonomic one I've ever worked in.

Must of never had the pleasure of flying the "Queen of the Skies" :beer:

 

[DieselDash]

I love the Lav on the 320. That thing will suck a turd clear back to France.