Airbus moving between types
Mods, please relocate to proper forum if necessary.
Given there is commonality between Airbus types, how technically difficult would it be for an A320 Captain to do a type conversion course and then fly an A380. The question is prompted by a study we did at Air NZ years ago - looking at the possibility of introducing common fleet flying (i.e. an entire fleet of Airbuses from A319 right through to A380).
I asked a Captain at the time - aside from systems, checklist etc - when it comes down to it - what is the real hand-flying difference between flying a smaller jet (B737) and a heavy (B747).
Could we rate everyone to fly everything?
He commented that inertia was one issue - but said the 747 was surprisingly quick on roll rate etc.
He also made the observation that the 747 in particular is quite a benign big beast - gentle to fly etc.
Any observations...?