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Old 10th Sep 2010, 09:55
  #447 (permalink)  
ExSp33db1rd
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: The Smaller Antipode
Age: 89
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With improved communications, pilots took over the duties of the Radio Operators, with their morse key.

With improved Navigation techniques e.g. INS and GPS, pilots took over the duties of the navigators, with their sextants

With improved technology, pilots took over the duties of the Flight Engineers, with their slide rules and detailed knowledge of the systems.

No problem, until something goes wrong, then pilots have to do not only their own jobs, but all the other tasks that they have taken on. ( often to enhance their own remuneration.)

Unfortunately, pilots are still the same Homo Sapiens that once had assistance - now they are on their own.

System overload, in moden parlance, can erode the safety margins, we haven't yet bred a breed of SuperPilots.

But this is " progress " ?

We don't know what went on in Dubai, but I bet that crew wouldn't have refused another pair of hands, and/or eyes had they been available.
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