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Old 7th May 2007, 14:36
  #19 (permalink)  
411A
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Arizona USA
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'Calls'...are they really necessary?

I wonder.

In the 'old' days, not all that many pilot 'calls' were made.
Why not?
Well, for one thing, and considering for a moment the L1011, all autopilot/flight director functions and modes are clearly annunciated, and visible to both pilots and the Flight Engineer.
So, the FD was generally silent, except for malfunctions.
For example, if the runway alignment mode did not begin, it was annunciated and only this malfunction would be called thus...'no runway alignment'.

Yes, I know, heresy by todays standards.
However, it worked for many years and surprisingly enough, most airplanes never crashed.
Going further, when I fly the L1011 now, I fly with folks who operated in this minimal diatribe environment previously...and what a pleasure it is.
Folks who positively know what they are doing, not being reminded every ten seconds.

Sometimes, silence is appreciated.
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