"If you mean when there is a significant failure such that the AP drops out AND you get a control law degradation, then yes, a descent is advised. IIRC it is 4000' below the normal "Max Alt" to avoid triggering the (now more sensitive) Stall warning."
You mean I'm not the first to think of this? ...Yes that's what I mean. I'm thinking of the attitude taken toward the issue. Loss of cabin pressure causes an immediate reaction to get to a lower altitude. It doesn't cause "Let's find out where the hole is, then get to a lower altitude". So similar, but maybe not as intense, sense of urgency could apply to loss of or degraded automation.
Of course I'm using "computer" to mean whatever type of flight control automation applies to whichever aircraft or situation. If I specified "HAL" or "Airbus", the comment might get modded out.
Last edited by Coagie; 1st Feb 2015 at 16:51.
Reason: Qualified "automation"