Cool Guys--Automation
I am far from being an air accident expert but...[5th Jan 2015 21:11}
FWIW IMO the issue is not so much the degree of automation involved or the differences between BA and Airbus as to programming/computers... BUT the transition between " HAL" and the pilot(S) being other than obvious. BA has always put the pilot in final direct control with no protection issues by pushing or pulling hard enough to override the computer- even if it means ' bending' the plane, usually ( until 787) having minimimal direct cable backup with backdriven control colums- and Airbus having no backdriven sidesticks AND apparently little feedback but some sort of limit stops by a degraded " HAL".
Which IMO is not the time to figure out all the blinking lights and what mode " HAL" is in or what it takes to ignore him.
In any case- until the Black Box and CVR records are found- its all speculation.
For an interesting explanation- argument on Both systems
http://www.askcaptainlim.com/-airpla...us-system.html