So i just took off from KLAX off to KPHL and as soon as i got to cruise, the aircraft starting rocking side to side. The aircraft is quite heavy aswell.
What altitude
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36,000ft i was at.
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Are you sure it just isn’t heavy turbulence and winds? It can get pretty rough when flying over the pacific.
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That seems rather high for a heavy A321 right off takeoff, might want to bring it down to 32,000 if you are that heavy. Also, what is your cruise speed?
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This is actually a great point. I’d even bring it down to FL300
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Exactly. If your cruise speed is low, altitude is high, and aircraft is heavy, it will start shaking. It happens to all aircraft just decrease the altitude and you will be fine, also maintain cruise speed around mach 0.78
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Mach 0.87 it was
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That is WAY too fast for an A321, normal cruise is 0.78. You are shaking the thing to bits!
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Holy crud… Isn’t that the max speed for the A321? I fly at 0.85 (and that’s only when I’m pushing it).
For me, my normal cruise speed is between 0.79-0.81
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That is starting to push A330 range of 0.80 - 0.82
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Pacific? He’s flying across the country
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Never mind, I’m an idiot tonight.
In my head, I read PHNL (Honolulu).
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That’s faster than any widebody cruise
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FL360 is way too close to the service ceiling of the A321, especially at the weight for this flight. FL280, 290, or 300 would’ve been optimal for this weight, and then you can step-climb.
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I think its because of the high altitude
A321 nerd here
When heavy (70% load or higher), you generally want to cruise at around fl300 - fl320 (depending on heading.) The A321 rarely goes above fl370 because it is generally considered to be quite underpowered. Its cruising speed is mach 0.76 - 0.78, slower speeds will allow for greater fuel efficiency so it is quite useful when trying to push the 321’s range to its limits
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Can confirm FL300 is a good choice. M 0.80 more efficient when heavy and 0.78 more efficient when light.
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