A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 12000; Flight Crew Type 4000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
Climb going through 13;000 FT; we felt a moderate vertical jolt similar to wake turbulence. It was followed by ELAC 1 fault which had a long history in the past 7 days of faulting. Contacted Dispatch and Maintenance Control. All agreed to returning and an overweight landing. Performed needed checklist and ECAM. Returned to field and uneventful landing.
A320 Captain reports returning to the departure airport after an ELAC1 fault; which had occurred several times previously to this aircraft.