A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Manuals; Aircraft
I flew the first leg. The first thing I noticed was a very high flap 2 speed minimum; around 194. Winds were 180/16G29. I made a very hard landing. The aircraft felt heavy; but I attributed it to the gusty winds and the hangar causing some swirling winds. Next leg with the FO flying; same thing; flaps 2 speed was about 195. He called for flaps 2; after they were set; we began the descent (I was now watching the speed and flap issue carefully). Sure enough; the speed started towards 200 KIAS; which would have been an overspeed. I grabbed the speedbrake and got them out in time to keep the speed around 198/199. Oh; he had called for gear down too; we needed some early drag due to the steep descent angle on that approach; but the speed was increasing. I told him what I did and we slowed on back and got fully configured. Another hard landing. FO commented that the pitch attitude seemed high and he felt like he was dragging it in with lots of extra thrust. On the third leg I was flying again. By this time; I felt like something was not right. On the STAR there is a 210 KTS restriction. I looked at the clean speed limit and it was 212 KTS; on a 319. Our weight showed 132;200. Again; flap 2 speed was about 195. I quickly checked the FAC (Flight Augmentation Computer) weight:FAC 1= 140.0FAC 2= 138.5VREF was 124 + 5 =129. I changed it to 132. When established on final; fully configured; 132 was right at minimum; so I went 135. I managed a decent landing; but the aircraft still felt heavy. I radioed MX and told them about our experience. Because we had to clear customs; I could not communicate directly with the line mechanic. I have heard many pilots complain about bad weights and how they always check the FAC weights. I have flown the Airbus for 23 years and never really had a problem; but this got my attention. I would like to receive some feedback to find out if there was a problem detected or not.
A319 Captain reported that the weights generated by the Airbus onboard computer were inaccurate and resulted in hard landings. Captain reported the issue to Maintenance.