A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
After departure with flaps and gear up; still on runway track; the rudder deflected slightly; uncommanded by the pilots. Autopilot 1 was engaged. It was not a violent deflection; but it was not subtle either. It happened twice within a few seconds of each other. The first one got our attention but was not verbalized. The second time we both said that this was not right. We brought up the flight control ECAM screen. We also engaged autopilot 2. We continued the climb and when we turned on the SID track; it happened again. We entered some very light turbulence; and it happened again. We now ruled out the possibility of turbulence and were convinced the rudder was the issue. Early on; we selected the flight control ECAM page to see if we could see a deflection of the rudder; but that would be difficult unless we were staring at it at the moment it happened. It occurred again as we climbed above 10;000 FT. It was at that point we both agreed there was an issue with the rudder and that we should return. The First Officer was assigned the flying duties while I arranged our return to the field. Once we started our descent and return; things seemed to operate normally. When I informed the flight attendants of our plans to return to the field; they had already become aware of what they felt was a usual movement of the tail. They all made it clear that things did not seem right to them. The approach and landing was uneventful.
The reporter states that he is not aware of what actions were taken by Maintenance to return the aircraft to service. When autopilot 2 was engaged the problem did not go away resulting in the decision to return to the field.
A319 Captain experiences uncommanded rudder movement during climbout and attempts to troubleshoot the problem. The crew elects to return to the departure airport as the movements continue passing through 10;000 FT. No further deflections are felt during descent and approach and a normal landing ensues.