Originally Posted by
RAT 5
a/c has a simple problem that downgrades it to manual control. Perhaps there is even a slight fight control problem, flap or thrust problem. All controllable, or should be by a competent pilot, but they crash.
Investigation deems it to be pilot error, yet the host airline forbids/discourages daily manual flying & approaches.
Is it simply pilot error or has airline Flt OPs got some blame in this?
Remember the (AA?) Airbus out of JFK where, in a wake turbulence encounter, the PF ripped the rudder off. Pilot error, indeed, but it was traced back to the host training dept. PF did what he had been taught. In another case PF ends up in a scenario where their manual flying skills are not up to the task and crash. However, in other airlines, where the pilots are encouraged to keep sharp, the crash might/probably would have been avoided. So where does the blame truly lie?
AA pilot Stan was prior B-52 driver where the rudder was emphasized for reasons I don’t know. It goes back deeper than AA training. I flew with a number of B-52 guys and was often saying, “not so much rudder” in simple maneuvers like turn to final.
GF