Originally Posted by DW
FBW systems are not automation
- since we are predominantly on a pilots' forum, and both PJ and I and many others are retired or current pilots, I think it is important to put MY (and I'm sure others') point of view about FBW. Anything which has an 'automatic' envelope protection is considered (by me) to be a form of 'automation', which while not
in general 'precluding handflying' does significantly deny the opportunity (for better or worse) for pilots to
control their aircraft - as taught to date.
Just as, from the earliest FMCS, the need for a pilot to think about what he/she was doing with the buttons became an 'optional extra' (viz Cali). No need to workout optimum levels, speeds, route etc - it tells you, and when you are 'wrong' - and so it goes on. Don't misunderstand me - I loved what I had on the 737, but still 'thought' about what I was doing, and I fear this 'thinking' is one of the facets that will steadily inevitably be eroded as time goes on.