Quite true and further to the point the similarity to the big fish in the sky is more than most realize.
The salient fact still remains though how much of the latest FMS capability do you need to do an out and back.
A new real danger from a CRM aspect is the eyes in and eyes out distraction of the new whizzbang screens. I have been on acceptance test flights where the Agusta test pilot, and customer, both have eyes in the cockpit. This went beyond my comfort zone for so long I called for eyes out due to the busy traffic around Vergiate / Milano and all the other hobby fields in the area.
One only has to assess the size of chapter three in the RFM 4D to fathom the scope of capability within the system. 180 pages are in Chapter 3 of which approximately 50 pages are AFCS and related systems.
If that were not enough I challenge anyone to say that they have wrestled through the expanse of Supplement 12, Cat A Ops (250 pages) with all its different aspects. It has its own emergency procedures and even a different power check (part G Common Performance). This supplement alone is larger than most Flight Manuals.
Quite possibly one day may be a little light in being able to teach the Honeywell FMS in the AW139.
But hey, FlungDung has just completed his OTU so help is on the way. I am sure as an instructor at Agusta he had more exposure than the average student.
Here's a challenge, does anyone know how many pages are currently contained within the FMS / MCDU's?
And oh did I mention, I have been to Sesto Calende!
