Como respuesta a varias consultas relativas al uso del "Automatic Ground Spoilers Actuator", se amplia la información del AOM con los siguientes párrafos recogidos del Manual de Mantenimiento.

SPOILERS/SPEED BRAKES /GROUND SPOILERS

GENERAL. The MD-80 is equipped with 6 spoiler panels.
The four outer panels, called Flight Spoilers, are used for lateral control, speed brakes and as ground spoilers at landing.
The two inner panels, called Ground Spoilers, is used on ground only as ground spoilers.

GROUND SPOILERS. When the speed brake handle is moved fully oft on ground, four flight spoiler panels and two ground spoiler panels are deployed 60º.

To prevent the two ground spoiler panels to deploy in flight the following conditions has to be met:

1. Normal or alternate gear handle selected down.
2. Left throttle in idle or reverse position.
3. Weight on both main gears.
4. Ground Spoiler actuator must change from flight mode to ground mode.

If any of these conditions are not met the ground spoiler panels remain stowed or will stow if deployed.

Pressure from the left and right hydraulic system is supplied to operate the ground spoilers.

AUTO GROUND SPOILERS. The auto ground spoiler function is armed by lifting the speed brake handle up prior to landing.

The auto ground spoiler actuator is retracted when the right main gear door is closed after takeoff.

At landing deployment of the ground spoilers is triggered by main wheel spinup extending the ground spoiler actuator. A back-up extend signal is provided by the ground control relays.

Manual deployment is performed by pulling the speedbrake handle oft and up.

Con lo anteriormente expuesto se aclara la función del "ground spoiler actuator", que es la de pasar los "ground spoilers" de mode "ground" a "flight" o viceversa, para impedir su uso en vuelo.

Por lo tanto tenemos 6 paneles para su operación en tierra y 4 en vuelo. Si el "Ground Spoiler Actuator" está inoperativo (por lo cual figurará en el Log Book" y en ese caso deberá quedar blocado en modo "flight") tendremos que tanto en el case de aborto de despegue, como en el aterrizaje, solo se dispondrá de 4 paneles en Iugar de los 6. Debido a esta anormalidad habrá que hacer la corrección de -150 metros/·100 piés a la pista disponible porque disponemos de dos paneles menos.

No existe relación alguna entre el Automatic Ground Spoiler Actuator y la extensión automática o manual de los spoilers, ni con el sistema ABS.

Se incluye explicación de como esta aprobada la confección de las tablas de "performance" por la FAA.

The stopping performance is calculated assuming the throttles are retarded to idle at the time of engine failure recognition. Although the performance is calculated with time delay allowances, throttles should be retarded to idle at engine failure recognition while simultaneously applying maximum braking (full pedal deflection) and should be followed immediately by spoiler extension. The stopping performance is based on maximum braking on a dry surface runway and anti-skid operative (unless otherwise noted). The effect of reverse thrust is not included.