Indeed CB, there are still 'primitive' aircraft arround, but not for ever. The technology exists to make us independant of ground based aids and enable 'Cat 3' type approaches anywhere. As for the autopilots failing, in my experience, 14000hrs, never known. Engine failures, much more likely, but still rare and much safer if the automatics put the correct rudder in for you! Would have helped in the case of the 'aerobatic' Chinese 747. The sooner we can introduce devices to stop pilots screwing up, the better. That will obviously involve some sort of system to stop them running of the end of runways, over 36 last year.