PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Why did they want us to maintain altitude
Old 10th Aug 2018, 02:26
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Judd
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
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At low altitude, we were told to keep the AP in and add full power, period.
I am curious to know why the accent on keeping the autopilot engaged if a stall occurs at low altitude? After all, if the AP fails to cope immediately full power is applied, the natural tendency is to wonder why, and the pilots attention drawn to the mode control indications. By then you have lost valuable seconds in which to manually reduce the angle of attack and then it may be too late. Maybe because manufacturer's are pragmatic and from reading accident reports have little faith in pilots basic manual flying ability nowadays?
Mind you, I can understand the manufacture's sentiment; especially as it is well known that manual flight is actively discouraged by many airlines. A colleague was talking to the chief test pilot involved with the certification of the Boeing 787 some years ago. He was told that Boeing designed the 787 around the premise that it would be flown by incompetent pilots around the world. Hence all the protections built into it.

Last edited by Judd; 10th Aug 2018 at 02:38.
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