I recently has occaison to fly an Airbus of some sort from Dusseldorf to Stuttgart. The plane was operated by Luftanza.
While holding in place on the taxi way this palne did a dance oscillitating horizontally about a 1/2 inch between one and two times per second. It seemed to be caused by some self recinforcing problem with the engines.
Anyone know what this is? I have flown on a lot of commercial jets but never saw anthing like this one.

That's a new one. Never heard of anything like it. Another Airbus Surprise...

The Airbus was a single aisle 3 by 3 with no first class - all coach configuration. I suspect it is an A320.

With that continued oscillation of the entire airframe something structural will eventually fatigue and break. I was glad my flight was short.
If it had been a US airline I would have called them about it.

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
I recently has occaison to fly an Airbus of some sort from Dusseldorf to Stuttgart. The plane was operated by Luftanza.
While holding in place on the taxi way this palne did a dance oscillitating horizontally about a 1/2 inch between one and two times per second. It seemed to be caused by some self recinforcing problem with the engines.
Anyone know what this is? I have flown on a lot of commercial jets but never saw anthing like this one.

Sounds like jet blast from another airplane to me. I was a captain on the A-320 for two years and an F/o on it before that I have never seen or heard of anything even remotely like what you are describing. Except for a little jet blast.

Had the same experience of the Stationary Waddle but don't recall the equipment. Thought it odd at the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:
Had the same experience of the Stationary Waddle but don't recall the equipment. Thought it odd at the time.

Right but are you sure you weren't being blown around by another jet or possibly high winds?

With over 10,000 hours flight time and over 16 years of airline flying I'm thinking that you guys are mistaking something very simple and common for this magical stationary wobble. There simply isn't anything on a big jet that can make it do that without some kind of outside influence.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:
Had the same experience of the Stationary Waddle but don't recall the equipment. Thought it odd at the time.

Right but are you sure you weren't being blown around by another jet or possibly high winds?

With over 10,000 hours flight time and over 16 years of airline flying I'm thinking that you guys are mistaking something very simple and common for this magical stationary wobble. There simply isn't anything on a big jet that can make it do that without some kind of outside influence.

Agree it doesn't make sense but I don't recall being in a que or even on a runway. Reminded me of an old Chevy with a timing/balance issue. I also recall thinking WTF would cause that kind of oscillation. Besides lasted waaaay too long to be from a previous departure.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:
Had the same experience of the Stationary Waddle but don't recall the equipment. Thought it odd at the time.

Right but are you sure you weren't being blown around by another jet or possibly high winds?

With over 10,000 hours flight time and over 16 years of airline flying I'm thinking that you guys are mistaking something very simple and common for this magical stationary wobble. There simply isn't anything on a big jet that can make it do that without some kind of outside influence.

Can't we just keep our bias??

Maybe the three ton Betty's were jumping up and down with joy in the aft galley after finding a package of spare Twinkies?

They need to pull the spark plugs and brush them with a wire brush, or else try burning premium.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:
Had the same experience of the Stationary Waddle but don't recall the equipment. Thought it odd at the time.

Right but are you sure you weren't being blown around by another jet or possibly high winds?

With over 10,000 hours flight time and over 16 years of airline flying I'm thinking that you guys are mistaking something very simple and common for this magical stationary wobble. There simply isn't anything on a big jet that can make it do that without some kind of outside influence.

Sure can.....
I would not have mentioned it otherwise.
I have been flying on commercial airlines for 30 years.

quote:

I also recall thinking WTF would cause that kind of oscillation. Besides lasted waaaay too long to be from a previous departure.

It's got nothing to do with a previous departure. It happens when there is either an airplane in front of you on the taxiway or to your side or behind you and you are getting gently or not so gently rocked by his jet blast.

What you describe can also occur when you are sitting or taxing in a strong gusty wind usually a crosswind or a tailwind but a strong enough head wind will do it to. Of course if you are taxing to the active runway which is generally pointed into the wind you would be getting either a direct or quartering tailwind while taxing. And that is when you are going to feel it most.

You as a passenger really won't know if there is traffic ahead of you on the taxiway as you can't see him.