What is the ping on an Airbus 15 seconds after take-off?
Back to Forum- This topic has 12 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 7 Aug 2015
at 14:37 by planegeek.
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IntheairBlockedCan someone help my curiosity?
What is the “ping” that goes off 10-15 seconds after take off when travelling on an Airbus?
I am quite a nervous traveller and presume that it is some form of indication that a particular part of take-off has been successful.
I flew on Friday on an A319 – there was no ping! The aircraft didn’t climb as usual and there were two fairly forceful movements of the aircraft, first one way and then the other. A few minutes later the aircraft climbed as usual.
Does anyone know what all this means?
From a nerdy traveller!
2 Aug 2015
at 08:08
LuganoPirateParticipantI think it’s to indicate the landing gear is fully retracted.
2 Aug 2015
at 11:10
kevin46ParticipantThe rate that an aircraft climbs is governed by ATC depending on the traffic in the area. The side to side movement was most likely caused by clear air turbulence. When in doubt, keep an eye on the cabin crew, if they look nervous then it’s time for you to worry.
7 Aug 2015
at 04:34
flyingcanadianParticipantI agree with all the above. It indicates that the landing gear is retracted. Similarily, on approach on landing, when the gear locks down, the “White” Emergency lights come on near the Emergency exits. This is mainly on the A380 and the B747, but it is a similar position on smaller a/cs, but perhaps not so noticeable!
7 Aug 2015
at 09:21
pheighdoughParticipantkevin46 – What you say is not strictly true. ATC give a clearance to climb, and the amount of level change does depend on the rate of climb for the aircraft. A 1000ft change of level will never see the aircraft have an optimum climb rate, but a 10,000ft level change would.
Apologies that this response is a bit off topic compared to the title and a ‘Ping’
7 Aug 2015
at 11:50
craigwatsonParticipantkevin –
As he is taking the first few minutes after take off you are in the initial stages of the SID, a route that is planned and often mandated by the regulators to cover noise abatement. You also will not get clear air turbulence in this phase of flight (CAT is most often associated with entering or exiting the jet stream). What was felt was most likely wake turbulence from a preceding aircraft.
7 Aug 2015
at 14:01 -
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