Originally Posted by
malr
Could anybody postulate as to *why* gear and flap selections are still manual? Are the handles themselves actuating hydraulics (for safety / redundancy)? Or, do they just trigger an electrical signal that starts the gear sequence, or the flap/slat sequence?
Thanks!
Gear and flaps are not used the same way on every approach.
You may use them earlier or later according to operational needs, atc requests, energy management and etc.