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Airbus Investigates Continued Uncommanded Altitude Deviations on A350 Despite Control Unit Update

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Airbus is currently probing recurring instances of uncommanded altitude changes on its A350 twinjets, even after implementing modifications following a similar issue two years ago. (www.airguide.info) More...

Alan Winn
News junkiePromoterAltruistAnnouncerAutobiographer

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manofwars69
John Brooks 8
You always have problems when you update software in systems, no matter what aircraft but Airbus knows better than to have this happen.
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craiglgood
Craig Good 6
"I've discovered the fundamental difference between hardware and software: hardware can only have a finite number of bugs in it." --John Seamons
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BlueOak
BlueOak 5
Always wondered why the passenger flight experience on the Airbus A350 felt a bit like an amusement park roller coaster ride. ;-)
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mikehe
Mike Hindson-Evans -2
At least they can tell the tale, unlike Lion Aur passengers in a B737MAX...

So far, have found the A350 to be only second in flying smoothness, behind the wonderful A380.
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BlueOak
BlueOak 1
It was a joke. The wink was a hint.
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mikehe
Mike Hindson-Evans 0
And it was appreciated! Happy Saturday.
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allanrbowman
Allan Bowman 8
While a faulty encoder might provide faulty signals, once set to an altitude (read the display) the controller itself ought to maintain the altitude. This sounds like other hardware, software, and sensor problems. Put steam gauges back in the panel, provide handheld gps units, or better still fix the problem.
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mbrews
mbrews 3
Good post, Allan. Yes, they need to chase all branches of the sensor and logic channels.

Also consider environmental affects on the altitude selector devices, such as dust , dirt, liquid condensation or liquid contamination.

Recall the ill effects of coffee spills on the Airbus main throttles a few years ago !!
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Cleffer
Cleffer 12
Airbus problem happens - "This can happen to any aircraft manufacturer from time-to-time"
Boeing problem happens - "OMG BOEING IS SUCH A PIECE OF GARBAGE REEEEEEEE"
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mikehe
Mike Hindson-Evans 5
A touch unfair, Cleffer. Let's be kind to Boeing today.

American economic power needs Boeing airframes to stop killing people and to continue re-fuelling its military aircraft
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johntaylor571
John Taylor 2
Boeing has been refueling with the same airframes for going on 70 years with the KC-135 while it's B-52 has been flying for over 70 years. I personally know of some 1955 model tankers still flying. Let me know when an Airbus lasts that long.
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boughbw
boughbw 4
Altitude deviations? Airbus: "Pilot error"
Dive for 4 minutes into the ocean? Airbus: "Pilot error"
Tail falls off the plane? Airbus: "Pilot error"
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mikehe
Mike Hindson-Evans 4
Or French drivers...
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kbarnoff
Kyle Barnoff 2
Here in America, I think it is fair to have extremely high technology standards for our airplane manufacturer. It is a big deal, we have talent that is up to the challenge, so lets not let bureaucracy and accountants get in the way of producing outstanding aircraft.
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bartmiller
bartmiller 3
While we can be proud of American standards, I think that other regions of the world, e.g., Europe, have standards just as rigorous.
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SkyAware123
SkyAware123 -8
*cough* 737max*cough*
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N107Sugar
N107Sugar -2
Perfectly stated!
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SkyAware123
SkyAware123 -7
One killed hundreds of people due to a hack, the other didn't.
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johntaylor571
John Taylor 1
Let me know when the first Airbus airframe has been flying for 70 years like the KC-135 and the B-52.
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df1sp
HP Baumeister 2
Does anyone know who’s manufacturing that encoder?
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RWSlater
Ron Slater 3
Just like the old DC-9 pilots did years ago, the 350 people are carrying around NASA reports to fill out for altitude deviations
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johntaylor571
John Taylor 1
It's "refreshing" to finally hear some issues with design that isn't a Boeing plane...
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mikehe
Mike Hindson-Evans 1
Indeed, if refreshingky rare! :-)
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nsw72
Tony Kastrinakis 1
What are you guys smoking??
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boughbw
boughbw 10
Turkey. Brined it overnight, then six hours on the smoker with cherrywood.
You?
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linbb
linbb -7
Oh gee am surprised that MH didnt pick this up as Airbus had a computer problem on one type of there aircraft that crashed and killed everyone years back.
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[This poster has been suspended.]

johntaylor571
John Taylor 2
Redlaser huh? Is that the color laser you use to try and blind Israeli pilots on approach?
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