AF 447 Thread No. 10

[PJ2]

HN39;

Re, "Could the PF have been looking outside and, aquiring some visual references, attempted to fly by those?",

Almost certainly no, he's not flying or attempting to fly clear of cloud by means of visual references. Reasons: a) instruments, not visual cues would be the primary guidance; b) too dark, (no moon) to see the tops, c) even with a moon it is very difficult to judge height of cloud in front...it would be by chance that cloud would be avoided, d) it's just never done, (as in, it is not considered a viable, legitimate manoeuvre nor is it trained); e) change of altitude or track is never done without an ATC clearance. The pilot-in-command of an aircraft an deviate from an ATC clearance in an emergency where the safety of the flight is at immediate and clear risk. As you know, it is my opinion that the loss of airspeed information and the degradation to manual flight is not an emergency.

Lyman;

"Aren't they discussing Radar returns?"

Yes, almost certainly that is what is being discussed. The conversation I "hear" is just what I would have heard in my own cockpit...very ordinary, very operational...normal.

It is extremely rare that the actual CVR is released. Not even the FOIA will do this.

Usually it is notions like "the public interest" that would cause a consideration to do so and even then it would be heavily restricted and "in-camera" in the court so ruling with only the participants absolutely required by the process.