airtren;
Originally Posted by airtren Post #187
My understanding is that the "a/c" would continue "level" under inertia and position of control surfaces as left after the "a/p disconnect", ONLY and ONLY if the "a/c" were on a "level" segment.
But the probability of being on a "level" segment is 1/5, which is 20%, which is quite low (maximum probability is 100%).
The probability of being on a "NON-level" segment - "up" or "down" or "left" or "right" - is 4/5, that is 80%. That is quite high!!!
I think there are different meanings of the term "level" at work here - one for an engineer and one for a pilot,
. Yes, the chances of it not "being on a "level" segment may be 4/5 or 80%, especially if nobody takes over the aircraft after the autopilot and autothrust has disconnected. But as you say, it is going to remain more or less level out of it's own inertia and the position of the control surfaces, etc. The pilot takes over and maintains cruise level and speed, (pitch and power), as I know you know.
By "stable, level flight" is meant maintaining an altitude while accepting small excursions above and below the exact altitude to maintain and not climbing or descending. It's never going to be "level" in the exact sense.
Is this what you meant? Tx...