Originally Posted by Centaurus
Meaning that F/O's have faster reflexes when heads down on autopilot pushing buttons. From all the bumpf I have been reading about manual flying skills degradation (automation addiction) it appears that most pilots (captains and first officers alike) are in the same boat.
VERY well said, my good friend.
It might make sense to review, yet again, that the oft-referred-to-phrase, “practice makes perfect,” has always been used to convey the fact that regular exercise of an activity or skill is the way to become proficient in it … especially when encouraging someone to persist in it. And it should be particularly noted that the concept of knowing “what button to push and what knob should be turned … and how far that particular knob should be turned…” can
ONLY be related to ‘manual flying skills’ to the extent that the hoped-for end product of each will be equally successful ... and SAFE.