Narrative:

ATC was late giving us lower; then hold 210 KTS. We were very close-in using speed brake on descent; set up for 17L. ATC gave us a heading and advised we would get 18R. We re-set up everything for 18R (we had briefed this; but did not expect it this close in) cleared direct to orl VOR at 3;000 ft. We called the airport in sight to slow and go to 2;500 ft (our last assigned speed was 210). ATC said he would clear us for a visual in a bit. I slowed to 190 anticipating the clearance soon. We were just north of orl VOR when he cleared us for the visual to 18R; maintain 2;500 until south of the VOR. I set 2;500 in and started slowing; gear down; slow down; flaps 3 landing check. At this point we were about 400 ft high; so auto pilot off; flight directors off; flaps full. We were stable at 500 ft and landed.ATC late runway change; we just did the same approach two days earlier and requested the right side but did not get it (our book says don't request it; they know) so my mind set was we would get 17L. I should have slowed down and told ATC I was slowing instead of holding the assigned speed of 210 KTS. I should have not accepted the runway change. Accepting the late change would have worked out had ATC cleared me for the visual early as I could have slowed and descended to 2;500 and got the gear down early. It worked out; however induced a very high work load and stress; and a lot of heads down to reprogram the new runway/approach.ATC should make up their minds which runway they are going to use at least 30 miles out; and if the other comes up at least ask if you want it not [just] assign it to you. Clear you for the visual or at least give you a normal speed not assign 210 and forget they did. I should have told them I was slowing and just slowed. It seems to me they keep you at 12;000 ft too long when landing to the south.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 Captain experiences a late runway change and a late clearance for a visual after previously being assigned 210 knots. An unstabilized approach fortunately results in a normal landing.

Narrative: ATC was late giving us lower; then hold 210 KTS. We were very close-in using speed brake on descent; set up for 17L. ATC gave us a heading and advised we would get 18R. We re-set up everything for 18R (we had briefed this; but did not expect it this close in) cleared direct to ORL VOR at 3;000 FT. We called the airport in sight to slow and go to 2;500 FT (our last assigned speed was 210). ATC said he would clear us for a visual in a bit. I slowed to 190 anticipating the clearance soon. We were just north of ORL VOR when he cleared us for the visual to 18R; maintain 2;500 until south of the VOR. I set 2;500 in and started slowing; gear down; slow down; flaps 3 landing check. At this point we were about 400 FT high; so auto pilot off; flight directors off; flaps full. We were stable at 500 FT and landed.ATC late runway change; we just did the same approach two days earlier and requested the right side but did not get it (our book says don't request it; they know) so my mind set was we would get 17L. I should have slowed down and told ATC I was slowing instead of holding the assigned speed of 210 KTS. I should have not accepted the runway change. Accepting the late change would have worked out had ATC cleared me for the visual early as I could have slowed and descended to 2;500 and got the gear down early. It worked out; however induced a very high work load and stress; and a lot of heads down to reprogram the new runway/approach.ATC should make up their minds which runway they are going to use at least 30 miles out; and if the other comes up at least ask if you want it not [just] assign it to you. Clear you for the visual or at least give you a normal speed not assign 210 and forget they did. I should have told them I was slowing and just slowed. It seems to me they keep you at 12;000 FT too long when landing to the south.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.