The A340 is one of the world

Flying

the Airbus A340

by Thomas Kwong

The A340 is one of the world's most advanced aircraft. On a typical long-haul flight, it burns up to 40% less fuel then the 747-400.
The belly of the large Airbus can hold more cargo then the 747 thus allowing operators to make a profit carrying just cargo even with no passengers on board.

The A340 and A330 are identical except for the fact that the A340 has 4 engines while the A330 has 2.
The A330 is used primarily on short to medium range flights. The A340 can perform the task of the A330 also, but its main purpose is to fly long haul flights.

The A340 cabin is extremely quiet and comfortable and having travelled on one a few years back, I can tell you the the cabin air-quality is the best I have had, making long haul flights more pleasant.

What you can expect from this flight model:

-Correct flaps and landing gear retraction times
-Authentic flight characteristics of the A340
-Realistic range, weight, speed and power.
-Realistic brake strength and reverse thrust power.

The handling characteristics of the A330/A340's are superb.
Handling is crisp and responsive at all times.

here are some pointers:

- Control in pitch and roll is extremely steady. There is no need to "ride" the controls as it is with conventinal aircraft.
Only small sidestick movements are necessary.

- Always trim your aircraft constantly when flying the aircraft manually. This is very important in order to keep your aircraft steady.

- Below 20 degrees of bank, there is no nose droop.
But for steeper bank angles, you need to pull on the sidestick in order to keep the nose up. (As it is in real life)

- Use the autopilot as often as possible as this is the ultimate "hands-off" aircraft.
However, hand-flying is also a delight.

- Don't touch the rudder except for crosswind landings and when on the ground.

It is very difficult to accurately simulate the behavior of the Airbus FBW aircraft in Flight Simulator,
but every effort has been made in order to make it as close as possible to the real thing.

-Autotrim
-Computer protection against stalling, overspeed, etc...
-Normal law & Alternate law
-Alpha Floor...etc

Select 2 notches of flaps for takeoff.
Remember to trim your aircraft for takeoff

On the call of VR, smoothly pull back on the side stick to a pitch angle of 12.5 degrees.
You may choose to hand fly the aircraft for a while but the prefered method would be to
engage the autopilot right away.

Level off the aircraft at around 1500ft for flap retraction.
Once the aircraft is "clean", continue climb to 33,000ft.

Normal climb-out speed is between 250 - 290 knots.
Select a vertical speed of about 1200 fpm.
(The A340 isn't the best of climbers.)

Flap 1	260 knots
Flap 2	230 knots
Flap 3	190 knots
Flap 4	170 knots

When you are lighter after burning off fuel, you may climb to FL 350 (35,000ft) or higher later to improve fuel economy. you must do this if you wish to complete a long flight without running out of fuel.

Cruise at a speed of Mach 0.82.
The maximum speed for the A340 is Mach 0.86.
However, Mach 0.82 provides the best fuel consumption rate.

The aircraft may be hard to slow down due to its efficient wings.
Use the speed brakes if you need to slow down.

Your approach speed will depend on your weight but keep your speeds at around 155-165 knots

You will need to lift your nose slightly on approach. (As it is in real life)
If you don't pitch up on approach, your rate of decent will be too high.

When you get to 10 feet above ground, flare the aircraft.
2 degrees higher nose up is enough for the flare on the A340.

Reverse thrust is not necessary. The preferred method of slowing the A340 down is to use idle reverse and the brakes.
However, if you touch down late, full reverse may be necessary.

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V1	130
VR	155
V2	165