Speed Brake Lever is part of A320 pedestal
Speed Brakes #
A green SPD BRK memo appears on ECAM whenever the speed brakes are extended. The memo flashes amber if the speed brakes are extended when the thrust is above idle.
Speed brake extension is inhibited under the following conditions:
- SEC 1 and 3 fault
- Elevator (L or R) fault (only spoilers 3 and 4 are inhibited)
- Angle of attack protection is active
- Flaps configuration full (both in flight and on the ground)
- Either thrust lever is above MCT (newer A320s and all A319s)
- ALPHA Floor protection is active (newer A320s and all A319s)
NOTE
On the A320, speed brake deflection is limited to approximately half with an autopilot engaged and is achieved with half speed brake lever deflection. At high altitudes and slow speeds (above FL 310 and less than Mach .75), speed brakes should not be extended more than half to prevent activation of the high angle of attack protection.
Ground Spoilers Takeoff #
All ten spoiler panels serve as ground spoilers during rejected takeoffs and landings. Raising the speed brake lever arms the ground spoilers. The speed brake lever does not move when ground spoilers deploy. Ground spoilers can only be deployed automatically for a landing or rejected takeoff.
REJECTED TAKEOFF – Ground spoiler extension occurs automatically during a rejected takeoff when the wheel speed is greater than 72 knots and :
- Both thrust levers are at forward idle if the ground spoilers are armed, or
- Reverse thrust is selected on at least one engine with the other thrust lever at idle if the ground spoilers are not armed
CAUTION
Manually moving the speed brake lever aft commands speed brakes, not ground spoilers. If the lever is moved aft on the ground, all spoiler panels retract if the flaps are full (a normal inhibit). If the flaps are at 3, panels 1 and 5 retract and panels 2 through 4 remain partially extended.
Ground Spoilers Landing #
LANDING – Ground spoiler extension occurs automatically upon landing at touchdown of both main gear when:
- Both thrust levers are at forward idle if the ground spoilers are armed, or
- Reverse thrust is selected on at least one engine with the other thrust lever at idle if the ground spoilers are not armed
PARTIAL EXTENSION – Partial ground spoiler extension (10°) occurs when:
- Reverse thrust is selected on at least one engine with the other thrust lever at idle, and
- One main landing gear strut is compressed.
RETRACTION – The ground spoilers retract when the thrust levers are at idle and the speed brake lever is disarmed, or when at least one thrust lever is above idle.
NOTE
During an autoland, the ground spoilers extend at half speed 1 second after both main landing gear touch down.
