To the 'automated' pilot, ie those who always use the automatics to fly, quite minor upsets, like capturing the GS from above can be major hurdles.
Indeed, as I myself become one (and I am, sadly) such simple tasks are becoming more and more stressful.
A major upset, like the AF447 will likely leave an automated pilot completely stunned.
ie, unable to think or act.
What experience has he to fall back on?
Can he remember his stall/spin training all those years ago?
Might he remember his Airbus 'recover at the first sign of the stall-and go full aft on the sidesick' training?
Or, is he a PILOT. The man who guides the aircraft using his many years of FLYING experience to save his own ass (and his/ her pax) because he knows what TF is going on?
I cannot state this MORE EMPHATICALLY!
These guys were OUT OF THEIR DEPTH
immediately! STRAIGHTAWAY!!
They had LITTLE or NO experience TO FALL BACK ON.
They had BUGGER ALL experience HAND FLYING their own aircraft.
They had NO FUGGIN IDEA THAT THEY'D STALLED. Would that be permitted in a 152 on lesson 3?
They had 20 , 000 Hours of Sweet Fu"K All in piloting terms.
20,000 hours of reading the papers, chewing food and jerking off.
I plead guilty.
I'm ashamed to say so, but it could happen to me too.
We must teach pilots to fly.
The fact that it even needs saying, jars!
