DozyWannabe (re: end of
#802 & following):
I agree
We all should read the report about the Caracas A343 flight. Startle factor, very much more likely than this or that technical glitch not recorded on the FDR/CVR...
Machinbird (re :
#845)
Having 100% "real" pilots is a nice thing. But is it achievable?
I think it's easier (and cheaper) to have an obligation to carry (and use) an A/P to this class of aircrafts, than to have a proficient crew.
In fact, it would be better to have both (as in the "part time manual flying" you evocated), but then the risk would be a manual "super pilot" out of a flight school not really up to what should be expected... this super pilot cannot hold his F/L within 200 or 300ft, but is cleared to fly in RVSM because his paper say he could.
It's far easier to assess if a "machine" works as intended or not, than to assess the proficiency (airmanship, SOP adherence...) of a human being.