Slightly different angle, but something I have always been curious about. I have never flown "for real" either the 744 or any Airbus (largest I have flown was the Falcon 10), however, when I was a 150 hour PPL doing my IR course, I had the opportunity to jump into a class D sim of both the A320 and 744-won't say what company in order to protect the guilty (but it was located at MSP
)
(At that time the biggest aircraft I had flown was the Beech Duchess-0 turbine time.)
I was given about a one hour overview of basic systems, procedures, etc and then jumped into the A320. Had absolutely NO problem flying it-push back, engine start, taxi out and takeoff followed by an ILS back into MSP. Took it up again, had an engine failure at 10,000' and did a SE ILS back in-again no problem. Had the same overview next on the 744 followed by the sim and I could not fly that beast worth a D*MN!
I know all about momentum and inertia issues and such-from memory, the A320 was around 250,000 pounds VS 800,000 for the 744. My question is this: Was it the automated flight controls of the A320 that allowed me to so "easily" fly it? Or just the difference in weights, especially considering my experience at the time?
Thanks in advance.