Sketch landings

I have seen this video before.

As previously mentioned, it’s a no-no to ever push forward in the flare ( because of a bounce , or because the aircraft is floating and the pilot tries to force the aircraft onto the runway ) like in this video.

Very strong headwinds ( notice wind sock in the video ) can make the Airbus more susceptible to floating because of the extra speed it automatically adds due to “ ground speed mini”.

Ground speed mini can be very high on final approach until close to the runway.

I landed in St Johns NFLD two weeks ago with 58 knot surface winds ( cargo doors cannot be opened….40 knot limit ) and the approach speed was 172 knots ( 5 knots below full flap speed ) while the Vref ( VAPP ) was 136 knots.

That’s the highest GS mini I have ever seen on the Airbus in 24 years.

Flare, if it floats, neutralize the stick and let it settle, don’t push forward.

Edit: the approach speed was very high due to GS mini , well below 1000 feet when we normally cannot fly that fast ( above Vref ) due to the requirement to meet one of our stable landing gates but we are allowed if ground speed mini is active due to very strong headwinds. GS doesn’t add any extra speed with 90 degree crosswinds. Strongest crosswind ( also in the maritimes ) was 35 knots ( max recommended is 38 knots but it’s not a limit ) I landed in but GS doesn’t add speed in a 90 degree crosswind.

P.E.I. and NFLD are the strongest surface winds , and GS mini, I have seen on the Airbus.

NFLD is an unusual place because you can have very high winds with fog and low ceilings which make it hard to get in because of auto pilot auto land surface winds limits by Airbus.

Airbus just increased the surface wind limits for auto land ( HW and CW but we are limited to 15 knots CW still by the FAA in the u.s ) which helps out a lot in NFLD.
Had several “interesting” landings at YYT - and that would include some go arounds …
 
What I read a bit more on Madeira is it falls in top 10 worlds most difficult airports to land at. It explains the discomfort involved.
 
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