There are advantages with this design?
In the development portion of the design, it occurs of course that separated controls were a new direction. The risks were no doubt delineated, assessed and addressed.
There were no downfalls sufficient to eliminate this portion of the design.
Hence, into manufacture, test, and service. What was the benefit portion of the change in approach? Anyone?
A possibility of course, exists that single pilot operation, contingent on the building of an extensive record of safety thus equipped, might be "just around the corner"? Awaiting BEA's opinion on the matter....
On the other hand, it may be that the determination was simply that it was unimportant for the Pilots to "see" the other's controls. Actually, that had to have been one conclusion, perhaps still held?
Last edited by Lyman; 13th May 2012 at 20:29.