I understand that FBW is lighter, cheaper to maintain, "safer" etc. buut why this method of controlling. As I said, the 777 is FBW but totally conventionally controlled. What drove Airbus down the path they went on? I suppose the commonality point is a good one, but couldn't you engineer any FBW system to give pre-programmed feedback to the pilot?
Flapsone - Good point, I suppose most things in flying are a heck of a lot easier to do than to describe!