A real pleasure to read this thread and a lovely perspective that captures the real spirit of transition in our aviation lives. I for one agree with the humble essence of the editorial.
As for some of the Airbus pilots that may feel a smiggen offended about their skills, should not see this thread as an attack on them. I reckon they have not read between the lines and have missed the spirit in which it is intended.
It does remain true with some of the younger group of pilots ,if you ask them to mentally calculate a rate of descent to meet an altitude restriction without the aid of the onboard flight managment devices,the deep space mission to Mars is scrubbed. True, there are laws of physics that govern flight ,I just think the art is fadding like a water colour in the rain.
All the best
jones
