Originally Posted by
ScruttonStreet
Hello - a bit of a nerdy question if I may.
Yesterday while waiting for the BA665 at Larnaca I noticed the aircraft (an A320) was parked on its stand with its lead-edge slats (if that is the term) in the 'out' position (i.e. the position they are put in during take off and landing). I thought it was normal practice for these to be retracted after landing, and then deployed again before take off.
At least one of the other aircraft parked on stand was also in this configuration.
Might there be a reason for this?
I think I can answer this one...
It's to do with the heat. I was at DXB last summer, and all the EK A380s had their droops (as they are known on the A380) dropped. I asked on the EK forum, and it was stated that Airbus recommend (or instruct?) leaving them out in very high temperatures.
I guess it's the same for the A320 range.
Flaps...