Boeing vs Airbus - FBW design philosophies
Hi, I'm a new Ppruner and this is my first post. Sorry if this topic has been covered previously, but I'm interested in a comparative discussion between the Boeing(777) and Airbus(320,330,340) approach to FBW design. While admittedly I'm a Boeing fan, I'm really more interested in the best possible design of FBW aircraft from a flight safety perspective.
There are several issues that concern me about the current FBW designs. First, why did Boeing chose airspeed stability in the control laws for the 777, while Airbus chose pitch stability in their control laws? I'm still trying to decide which approach is better.
Second, why on earth did Boeing decide to design the 777 with "relaxed" pitch stability in the basic airframe and did Airbus do something similar? To me this works fine for military fighter aircraft where FBW was originally developed, but why on earth would you want "relaxed stabiliy" in an airliner?
Third, the 2 companies took very different approaches to the flight dynamics pilot feedback issue. Boeing chose to use a control column with AFCS feedback servos and thrust levers with servos, while Airbus chose to use a joy stick and detents on the thrust levers, without any feedback. Which approach do you think is safer?
I have a lot of comments about these issues but I'll save them for later. Your comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
[This message has been edited by Flight Safety (edited 11 January 2001).]