PJFlysFast From United States of America, joined May 2006, 463 posts, RR: 1 Posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 3439 times:
I was wondering what does it mean when the non flying pilot says "clamp" during takeoff at around 80 knots? What does it do? I only have heard it on aircraft like the MD-11 and MD80 series aircraft and I think it has something to do with the ground spoilers?
Goldenshield From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 4955 posts, RR: 15 Reply 1, posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 3411 times:
Quoting PJFlysFast (Thread starter): I was wondering what does it mean when the non flying pilot says "clamp" during takeoff at around 80 knots?
In what videos are are seeing this? I just did a Youtube search, and found one from Finnair.
I'm not sure about the UK, or even the rest of the world, but typically here in the US, pilots will say something along the lines of "80 knots" by the PNF, and repeating "80 knots," "Roger," or "Check" by the PF. Perhaps this "Clamp" on the Finnish video is their 80 knots airspeed alive check and response?
edit - I just found a Lufthansa video, and they said "80 knots" "Check", so perhaps what you are describing is isolated?
[Edited 2009-11-06 17:16:35]
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.
PJFlysFast From United States of America, joined May 2006, 463 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 3388 times:
I found one! At a 1 min and 22 secs you can here what I am talking about.
CosmicCruiser From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2015 posts, RR: 19 Reply 3, posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 3380 times:
It's an auto throttle position. Once the A/Ts are set at T/O pwr they "clamp" so they no longer adjust.
I should say too that we do not call clamp in the MD-11.
PJFlysFast From United States of America, joined May 2006, 463 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 3375 times:
Quoting CosmicCruiser (Reply 4): It's an auto throttle position. Once the A/Ts are set at T/O pwr they "clamp" so they no longer adjust
Thank you! That makes a lot of since!
Quoting CosmicCruiser (Reply 4): I should say too that we do not call clamp in the MD-11
I guess it all depends on the SOP of the airline than?
JarheadK5 From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 216 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 3345 times:
As already stated, "Clamp" is a term related to the use of autothrottles.
In the KC-10 during the takeoff roll, the non-flying pilot calls "80 knots", and the FE responds "Power's set" if it is, in fact, set at the computed takeoff power. These are procedural calls.
GLEN From Switzerland, joined Jun 2005, 158 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 3309 times:
Quoting PJFlysFast (Reply 6):
I guess it all depends on the SOP of the airline than?
I think so. When I was on the MD11 the PiC had to check ATS in "T/O CLAMP" mode on the FMA, but no call out.
What he had to do is to disconnect the autothrottle in case it would not clamp.
"The horizon of many people is a circle with zero radius which they call their point of view." - Albert Einstein
Goldenshield From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 4955 posts, RR: 15 Reply 7, posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 3270 times:
Quoting JarheadK5 (Reply 7): As already stated, "Clamp" is a term related to the use of autothrottles.
It makes sense then, and must be an MD thing. The OP mentions that they do it on MD-80s, but, of my many MD-80 jumpseating adventures, I don't remember them saying it. At least I know what it is now. I was thinking it was a language thing.
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.
Very interesting video, with a go-around instructed by JFK tower just before reaching the threshold. Wonder whether this was just for prudence since the crew themselves didn't elect to go-around.
The crew was probably mentally already well prepared - they don't seem to very surprised. They just looked how the situation would develop and waited for the eventual command from tower. Can be a question of seconds whether the RWY gets clear or not.
"The horizon of many people is a circle with zero radius which they call their point of view." - Albert Einstein
113312 From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 508 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 3192 times:
This feature exists on all aircraft that have autothrottle approved for takeoff. However, a callout by crews of the mode annunciation is specific to individual airline policy. Some observe but do not call out.
PGNCS From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 2356 posts, RR: 46 Reply 11, posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 3086 times:
It's actually displayed "CLMP" on the MD-80/90 series on the FMA in the thrust window (the leftmost FMA window). Provided autothrottles are used for takeoff (which they almost always will be), the FMA will change to CLMP (pronounced, "Clamp") by 60 knots and the autothrottle servos are then depowered for the remainder of the takeoff; they will normally be repowered automatically when VNAV is selected in the climb. This is similar to the functionality of Boeing, although the terminology is different. Although I have never seen it documented, there is widespread belief in the MD-80 community that CLMP stands for "Computer Limited Manual Power" or "Computer Locked Manual Power" depending on who you talk to. One large airline I used to work for did teach that, though, like I said, I can't prove it. Perhaps a former McD person can shed light on the acronym component?
CosmicCruiser From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2015 posts, RR: 19 Reply 12, posted (2 years 3 months 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 3042 times:
MD-11.... no ref is given to any def other than this below
ATS CLAMP MODE
In CLAMP mode the ATS is engaged, but the ATS servos cannot move the
throttles. CLAMP mode is enabled in the following conditions:
• Takeoff mode on the ground and two or more engine thrust commands
are less than 70 percent of the maximum takeoff setting.
• Takeoff mode is engaged and IAS exceeds 80 knots.
• In flight when command input places the throttles in flight idle and
further thrust reduction is required.
Windshear mode after throttles have reached the maximum rated
thrust.
CLAMP mode is annunciated on the FMA.
PJFlysFast From United States of America, joined May 2006, 463 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (2 years 3 months 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 2898 times:
Wow guys lots of cool information here! I really appreciate it! I have one more question regarding the MD-11, I know that it has some sort of computer assisted flight controls that you can see on the overhead. I am not sure what the systems name is but I was hoping maybe you of you could shed some light on the subject for me.
CosmicCruiser From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2015 posts, RR: 19 Reply 14, posted (2 years 3 months 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 2877 times:
Quoting PJFlysFast (Reply 13): I know that it has some sort of computer assisted flight controls that you can see on the overhead.
You're thinking of LSAS Here's a brief description
LONGITUDINAL STABILITY AUGMENTATION SYSTEM
(LSAS)
The Longitudinal Stability Augmentation System (LSAS) enhances longitudinal
stability and provides:
• Pitch attitude hold.
• Pitch attitude limiting.
• Pitch rate damping.
• Pitch attitude protection.
• Positive nose lowering.
• Speed limiting.
• Stall protection.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined May 2006, 463 posts, 
From Switzerland, joined Jun 2005, 158 posts, 
From Egypt, joined Aug 2007, 1281 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
