Tail Strike Avoidance

Question 1

What is the tail strike pitch limit for gear uncompressed for an A320?

Answer 1

11deg

Question 2

What is the tail strike pitch limit for gear compressed for an A320

Answer 2

13.5deg

Question 3

What is the tail strike pitch limit for gear uncompressed for an A321?

Answer 3

9.7deg

Question 4

What is the tail strike pitch limit for gear compressed for an A321?

Answer 4

11.2deg

Question 5

1. What indication on the PFD warns us on Tail Strike?
2. When does it appear? (2)
3. Is the basis of this indicator main landing gear compressed or uncompressed?

Answer 5

1. Tailstrike Pitch Limit (inverted triangle)
2. Appears during landing and below 400ft
3. Main landing gear compressed

Question 6

What is the best way to avoid a Tailstrike on take off?

Answer 6

Smooth rotation of 3deg per second until 15deg on 2 engines or 12.5deg on a single engine take off

Question 7

Site 3 possible reasons for having a Tail Strike on take off?

Answer 7

1. Early rotation due to wrong calculation of VR
2. Wrong Flaps setting
3. Wrong take off trim setting due to error in the computation of weights / CG

Question 8

Procedure after a tail strike incident

Answer 8

1. Do not climb above 10,000’. Keep in unpressurized altitude
2. Climb limit of 500’ and descent limit of 1,000’ except during final approach
3. Land ASAP (amber)
4. Get the QRH: Abnormal Procedures - Tail Strike
5. If landing, a tail strike occurs, execute a go around!