Is Raw Data Outmoded?
Coffee conversation with colleague recently. Flies 737 NG. Very experienced on type. He was concerned that his raw data skills are steadily eroding after three years on automation. The way he describes it, as a first officer, he is completely dependant on the captain's "generosity" in permitting him to turn off the flight director and/or autothrottle during climb to altitude or during descent in appropriate weather conditions or even during a visual circuit.
He reveals interesting reactions from captains. A few say no problem have a go, and monitor the first officers raw data tracking etc. Other captains look aghast and say no way- don't touch a thing and leave the automatics in.
Still others look uncomfortable and mutter things about only turning off the flight director for just a few minutes and only in bright sunny weather. In his experience the majority of his captains baulk at any request to switch of the FD even for short time.
As boxes have to be ticked in cyclic sim sessions and the usual emergencies covered, it gives no time to practice raw data in the sim. In any case if a FD off approach is made in the simulator it only lasts 10 minutes at the most - scarcely time to catch up lost raw data skills once every three months or more.
I would have thought that an airline pilot would be required by the Regs to be competent at hand flying his aircraft both with FD on or off and autothrottle on and off. Not so, perhaps? Automatics skills yes - hand flying skills not vital to safe operation?
Are captains of this era so uncertain of their own raw data skills because of years of automatic dependancy? Research reports would suggest so. Or is it all too much trouble - or worse still is it the dreaded label of "Non Standard" that makes their knees tremble if a keen young first officer asks if he can have a go without the crutch of an FD?
Serious comments only would be appreciated - no ungentlemenly rubbishing, please.
Last edited by Centaurus; 30th July 2005 at 13:15.