In the early days of jet transport flying, the FD was not used for pitch commands during takeoff for very good reasons, not the least of which was 'not reliable'.
Then, along comes the Lockheed TriStar, with its
superb autoflight/FD system, that provided very useful data for low vis takeoffs.
Yes, I can here 'em now, those from BA or GF with the proviso that it was not CAA approved, but nonetheless, it
was however FAA approved, and it worked
good.
Reliable heads down pitch info for takeoff...more than thirty years ago.
Now we have Airboos equipment where you (apparently) have to look out the windscreen for takeoff pitch data.
Three steps behind, it seems. Why are we not surprised.
OTOH,
Lockheed got it right, many
many years ago.
PS: I would however be remiss if I did not mention that Lockheed got it
right with help from the 'ole Trident design team...good gosh, even makes Airboos look even further outdated.
