Why does the A330 perform very smooth landings?

Real World Aviation
1

So I have noticed that the A330 always seems to be in those “smoothest landings ever” videos, and was wondering if there was a good reason for this, or if it was just coincidence?
A few examples to prove my point…
What seems to be commonly accepted as the smoothest landing ever: Smoothest Landing? US Airways Airbus A330 - YouTube

Another verry smoth landing: Smoothest Plane Landing Ever? American Airlines A330 at Manchester Airport - YouTube

A whole video of them…: Airbus A330 - 8 smooth landings at Manchester... - YouTube

Eaven during an emergency we get buttered bread status: *EMERGENCY* Thomas Cook A330-200 Emergency Landing at Manchester Airport- 15/04/17 - YouTube

And there are many more, but this could be random chance, but I was wondering if anyone knew why the A330 seemed especially good at buttering the bread…?

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2

The gear trucks tilt a lot so I would assume that’s the reason

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3

It Is probably because they are highly trained pilots who fly the A380.

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4

A330, big difference

5

Might have to do with the upwards pitch planes land at, not entirely sure though…

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6

I suspect the wings too

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7

The A330 was basically a downsized version of the A340 meaning that the lift factor of the A330 is far higher than needed for an aircraft it’s size. Just as the wings of the A388 was made for the expanded version of the A389, resulting in a lower approach speed and a larger ground effect on the aircraft.

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8

Berry interesting, makes sense though…

9

Probably that gear tilt m8.

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10

In my opinion the landings aren’t any smoother than other planes, however its the fact the gear sets absorb the impact and thus making it seem like the second set hits a lot slower. However other aircraft like the 777 for instance when the gear hits it immediately forces weight onto other wheels making it look harder than the A330. This is my opinion on it, maybe look at how the first set of landing gear touches to judge smoothness.

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11

Wow, that first link, that was incredible, awesome that someone was there to film it. I have personally never been an a 330 but from what I’ve seen they look smooth

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12

Makes sense, the gear tilt might also contribute to the smoother landing.

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13

This is the reason why I love the A330. Pity the liveries are so limited in IF. The A330 is one of my favorite aircraft in real world and IF because it handles like a dream. The A340 is my favorite. The similarities are awesome but the A330 handles better. I still don’t know why people voted for a rework in IF when it’s the perfect aircraft in my opinion.
SAA has both versions of the A330, -200 and -300 and man those birds are beautiful.
I believe the wings, having been designed for the A340 also used the the A330 and the gear makes it a smooth operator when landing.

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14

Its the A330 mate ;)

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15

This is also-to me at least-the easiest plane to land on IF too.

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16

Have you noticed that it has an unusually long range? Not sure if this is empirical enough to assert that the IF A330 is not reflective of the real world capabilities of A330s.

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Let’s see if we can bring someone in who actually knows a thing or two abouf this :)

@Aernout my friend, you there?

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18

Ground effect on the A330 is amazing, this makes you flare by itself.

The effect of added aerodynamic buoyancy produced by a cushion of air below a vehicle moving close to the ground.

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19

They are and the wing is gorgeous and provides a ton of lift. The A330 doesn’t like to get down and slow down that massive wing/lift at touchdown gives pilots who know how to feather it properly good star landings

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I think it just comes down to a really well-designed LAND button…

But seriously, watching an A330 land is always satisfying.

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