This thread shows up the gulf between those who advocate more automation and those who take a somewhat different view. Some operators are now apparently banning hand flying!
The Airbus A320 autothrust is reasonably ok for most normal ops where the wind is not too strong. However it is slow to respond to speed loss - just observe how it allows the speed to decay below target in an Open Descent. The non- moving levers don't help the pilot's intuitive assessment of what it is doing and have been at least slightly implicated in a number of incidents and accidents.
However, it is what it is and pilots and operators have to find a modus operandi that works for them. Personally I want pilots to be both able to use the automatics and to be able to comfortably hand-fly the a/c with or without the autothrust. I find that even the modern young computer-game ones actually enjoy doing it as soon as they get some practice.
So let's use all our resources, both automatic and human, and try to ensure we keep both in tip-top condition!
Last edited by johannschmith; 27th Mar 2011 at 10:32.
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