Bantios, I beg to differ. Airbus sidesticks do not have any synthetic feel, there is no feedback from the control surfaces. The two sidestick controllers are not coupled mechanically and send separate sets of signals to the flight control computers. There is no 'force feedback' system, merely a graduated and invariable resistance to movement that means the sidestick auto centres when released...
As I understand it with the autopilot and autothrust active the yokes on a Boeing move in tandem in response to the autopilots inputs and the throttles move with the autothrust inputs, motors etc making the appropriate motions. I know that in Airbus aircraft neither the sidesticks nor the throttles move when the automatics are in. You can tell what is happenging to the thrust by the display on the upper central screen and can't really tell what is happening to the control surfaces unless perhaps you pull up the 'flight controls' page on the lower screen.
Last edited by Spearing Britney; 14th Nov 2004 at 10:08.