Degraded modes training and a full comprehension of "what is involved" is important. Why?
PF could be suddenly "inserted in the loop" and is required to act precisely. Before acting must "understand".
Based on factual info we have, AF447 PF acted as if plane was in imminent danger. And very early created a sound imminent danger: A threat to stall the airliner.
My concern with degraded modes is: The performance of the "effective aircraft" (System + PF) specially in the transitory relies on:
1) A good understanding of the equipment characteristics. Intimacy with her.
2) A good interface to allow a fast (if possible, immediate) assessment of the problem
3) A good training (involving Pavlov behavior
)
4) Good use of SOP, CRM, etc.
In this case we observed problems in all 4 items. And we had a fast degradation. Fast degradation is a real threat. Gen. Chuck Yeager had this kind of threats. Challenger had this (SRB's at low temp)
Airliner pilots (commercial operation) seems being not trained adequately for degraded modes. If they are, in several carriers.
PF (probably by lack of understanding of the first problem) seems to have contributed to an accelerated degradation.
And the System DID KNOW before AP and A/THR dropped what started around the increase of noise heard on CVR. Why not to process this information and share it with the crew?
The paper of an Airbus SAS designer mentioned in one earlier post sez
you need to scan to detect UAS. This sounds not giving to the crew an useful "insider information".
This information can be valuable. And can save precious seconds to better act.
The reason i included item 2 is because it was possible for Airbus SAS to create a resource (UAS data processor) before System degradation. (Through a single chime? Double?)
Specially after 30+ UAS cases and STILL using OBSOLETE AS sensors. AS as an Important parameter (to the stability of the System)
And additionally because the System is (still today) operating
without redundancy. (because we don't have the required AS probes) They simply can fail SIMULTANEOUSLY.
Why they didn't?
Diagnostic presented this important question.
I am still studying the possible reasons to this.