Originally Posted by
Lead Balloon
When a real pilot in the real world is "overwhelmed and bombarded with ... systems failures" - your words - the first thing the pilot will do, after recovering from the HSM, is point the f*cker downhill in the general direction of a friendly piece of tarmac. The first thing, that is, if the pilot wants to save the aircraft and POB as quickly as practicable. TOPD calculations? Please: Give it a break.
MH370 conducted a 180 degree turn, descended 1000 feet to the appropriate hemispherical cruising level, headed to the nearest suitable airport, and did not descend for 23 minutes.
QF1 conducted a 180 degree turn, descended 1000 feet to the appropriate hemispherical cruising level, headed to the nearest suitable airport, and did not descend for 23 minutes.