AF447

[DC-ATE]

While theoretically you have two choices with this incident, Pilot Error or Aircraft/Systems failure, there really is only one choice; that of computer failure for whatever reason.

That is to say, being as how it was an Airbus with computerized everything, some part of the electronic system failed for some reason, and the pilots, no matter how well trained, could not cope with the situation. This seems to be apparent (computer problem/s) with all of the ACARS messages that were sent. Had the aircraft simply broken up, no messages (or at least not the amount) could have been sent.

On the other hand, pilot error by flying into an area of severe weather could have put the aircraft in a position the computers simply could not handle. One way or the other, I think all will have to agree, like it or not; the computers played a significant role in this incident.

The question/problem now remains to figure out how to rectify the computer problems that have affected not only this make aircraft, but others as well in the past. It would seem that computers are "here to stay" in aviation, but as the pilot gets pushed further and further "out of the loop", it would appear that we have more and more problems.

The pilot needs to have TOTAL control of his aircraft if need be at ANY time, even if it means exceeding the design limits. Basic piloting skills have been lost due to computerized flight. This fact has shown itself on too many occasions in past accidents. If this means re-installing cables, so be it. The pilot also needs at ALL times, analog flight instruments (standby 'steam gauges' if you will) to find his way to a safe landing when all of his computers fail. What good will it do to have inflight data being transmitted to the ground continuously no matter where on Earth the aircraft is, if it will not reduce the chance of similar accidents? What will it tell us? Part of the automatic system failed.....duh.

The whole idea of all this "progress" was supposed to make aviation safer. I fail to see where that has been accomplished yet. All that has been accomplished is that manufactures have been able to produce aircraft cheaper and the ticket price has gone down.....along with pilot saleries. There has been needless loss of life in recent accidents due to either loss of basic flying skills driven by computers doing the job or by those same computers failing when most needed.