Understanding Air France 447 by Palmer Bill

Author:Palmer, Bill [Palmer, Bill]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Air France 447 Accident, A330
Published: 2013-07-25T00:00:00+00:00

When the flap handle is out of the UP position (i.e., flaps out), positioning the thrust levers to TOGA commands full power and also commands the go-around mode in the auto-flight system. The go-around commands a pitch up from the flight directors and autopilot (if on). If the flap handle is up, the flight director/autopilot mode does not change - only full power is commanded. At 35,000 feet, selecting TOGA provides only a small increase in power above the cruise setting, and no more than the climb setting. It does not result in a rapid acceleration or a noticeable pitch up.

About a minute after the autopilot disconnected, after a stall warning was received, the thrust levers were positioned to TOGA. Shortly thereafter with the stall warning sounding repeatedly, First Officer Bonin - the pilot flying, stated “I'm in TOGA, huh?”

In the Popular Mechanics article “What really happened aboard Air France 447” author Jeff Wise states:

“Bonin's statement here offers a crucial window onto his reasoning. TOGA is an acronym for Take Off, Go Around. When a plane is taking off or aborting a landing—"going around"—it must gain both speed and altitude as efficiently as possible. At this critical phase of flight, pilots are trained to increase engine speed to the TOGA level and raise the nose to a certain pitch angle.”

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