AF 447 Thread No. 11

[exeng]

Good Evening Bubbers

Do you remember Aeroperu 603 and Birgenair 301? Both B.757's with blocked pitots which both ended in tragedy in 1996. Both accidents were it seems due to the two aces up front not recognising the unusual pitch attitude and allowing the aircraft to stall.

So not so different to the AF Airbus situation on the face of it.

I've flown numerous Boeing types in all seats plus the A320. To be honest I happen to prefer the Boeing philosophy, and for me the 777 FBW was in some ways better than the Airbus FBW - although both have their advantages and disadvantages.

With all aircraft types knowing the appropriate pitch attitude and power setting for a given configuration is always important.

We all use automation for obvious reasons. But average to good pilots, whether Airbus or Boeing will be able to fly the aeroplane when the !!!!! hit the fan.

Thing is Bubbers these days we do all need automation because I fail to see how well any of us would fare flying an 8 to 16 hour sector in RVSM (which would not be allowed anyway), or a multi sector day (in RVSM). I flew six sectors today in a little 737 and was very grateful for the A/P. I flew 2 sectors the other day with both A/P's inop (Stab trim unit) and it was quite hard work, particularly given the weather here in West Africa - the F/O and I never exceeded a 30 ft deviation but the normal task allocation and work sharing went to hell in a handcart. Give me an A/P any day on any aircraft.

I suspect there have many incidents similar to AF 447 that have occurred on both Airbus and Boeing where there was a happy outcome - thing is those incidents don't tend to hit the headlines.