NigelOnDraft -
"Has FBW yet caused a fataility? The only accidents I can recall that seem the FBW was a "signficant factor" are QF72 (likely) and the Iberia A320 at BIO... neither of which had fatalities?
Has FBW saved any lives? Hard to say... but I guess it could be argued that at Habschiem (sp?) the FBW did save lives BA38 might be interesting to see if the FBW made things easier / gentler?"
Valid points. Guess I should not only include FBW as far as flight controls, but engine inputs as well.
As can be no doubt be determined; I'm against computers controling just about anything where a human is ultimately responsible for the final outcome. Oh, sure, we've come a long way. But everytime I see an "upgrade" with some computer file or program, there seems to always be a de-bugging period before it settles down. It keeps untold thousands of people employed though.
Guess I'm just from the 'old school' of K.I.S.S.
And.....if it ain't broke, don't fix it!