Originally Posted by
yanrair
The latest trend seems to be “you shouldn’t/can’t try to fix the pilots. It’s all too difficult. Engineer out the faults and the pilots won’t have to put down their cup of tea. “
I can think of many situations where a combination of seemingly simple faults, when combined make operating the plane extremely demanding to fly. Guess that’s why we need competent pilots. And no software engineer can “ automate-out” all conceivable fault combinations.
Double engine failure is a good example where, assuming the APU starts, you are stil left with an extremely demanding situation which requires you to revert to basic airmanship and flying skills. Even with no APU, a 737 can still do it. Uniquely, because it’s really a 707 with a glass cockpit and flies like a Cessna. Seen it on the sim. Accomplished successfully maybe a hundred or more times over the years. But the guys at the sharp end have to know what to do and have the multitasking skills to implement them.
So when the dust settles I will still fly happily with airlines that cut the mustard. And avoid the others. Always have and most smart passengers too. There are over one hundred airlines that are not permitted to operate in the EU, yet they are all “approved and licensed” by their own national authorities. Wonder why the EU does this? Don’t think it’s racism though.
Y
+1.
Everyone wants to blame the manufactures... but we’ve had a lot of perfectly good airplanes crash. And others where a simple defect brought it down... and others, like a taped over static port, that require solid pilots to earn their money. Any yet others where the pilots feathered the wrong engine on departure during an engine failure.
LH used to start their pilots in gliders and they developed stick and rudder skills. Now there is a fast track to the airline job, but unlike the military, the pilots don’t fly anywhere near the edge of the envelope. There has clearly been a reduction in flying skills. To the point that pilots sit in the seat and watch the accident without taking proper steps. I’m not talking test pilot skills.
Yes... there are defects that need to be fixed. An early A-320 accident made them change the idle thrust settings on approach. The MD-11 has to add LSAS for pitch problems. Boeing will have to fix the 737 Max... but the fact is, there are a lot more accidents due to pilot error that shouldn’t happen.