Situational Awareness; Workload; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
While climbing through approx. 12;000 feet we were asked to accelerate to greater than 320 KTS for following traffic. Established on assigned speed and climbing a small vibration could be felt throughout the aircraft. As we climbed this vibration steadily grew. Having had Elevator Servo problems in the past; it felt familiar and we did a little trouble shooting as we climbed. We tried different speeds; both slower and faster. We tried putting a small load on the aircraft by increasing our rate of climb and decreasing it as well. Nothing we did seemed to slow the crescendo of this vibration. The intensity of the vibration grew to the point that the face of my [tablet] was blurry from vibration. The vibration seemed to be emanating from the tail and not related to any engine function. I contacted Maintenance through the cockpit phone and after a very short conversation it was told to us that the 'aircraft had a history and their recommendation would be to return to PHX.' We agreed with their recommendation entirely.We informed ATC of a precautionary landing and also the flight attendants. A normal approach and landing was made.
An A319 Captain returned to the departure airport after a significant vibration developed which seemed to emanate from the tail area. The aircraft had a history of these vibrations.