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Why is automation dependency encouraged in modern aviation ?

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Why is automation dependency encouraged in modern aviation ?

Old 11th Jan 2021, 16:06
  #281 (permalink)  
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Originally Posted by vilas
I agree with this. I​​​​​ had said the same thing. It could be more than a couple of times if required. In automated Aircraft it is also important to know the automation well. If to capture the GS from above one has to disconnect the AP it's not professionalism but poor knowledge of automation. Automation is installed for day to day use and not only for Sundays and holidays. Manual flights are to be resorted only to retain raw data skills. Passengers pay to travel safely from A to B and not for somebody's pleasure. Enjoying your profession(which includes using automation) and doing something all the time just for fun is not same. Importantly one has to be loyal to the pay check i.e. company policy and procedures.
Just because you enjoy something does not make it wrong at all.
It can have very good reasons to be done, even if, yes, enjoyment alone is not a good reason.

Nobody is talking about disregarding automation just for fun. Why would you be talking about that ? Did you feel that someone suggested something like this ?
Originally Posted by pineteam
I don’t know which pilots are insisting to fly raw data in all sort of conditions but if that the case I agree it’s looking for trouble. In my outfit we have restrictions on raw data flying in the line. Can not do it if the crosswind is more than 15kt or in case of low cloud base. I fly raw data quite often lately but mostly at my home base and always when the weather is within limit and my partner and I are not too fatigue which lately with the little amount of flying we do is not really an issue.
Does it apply for a 15kt crosswind flare ? Do you follow the FDs in that case ?
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Old 11th Jan 2021, 16:49
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Originally Posted by KayPam
Just because you enjoy something does not make it wrong at all.
It can have very good reasons to be done, even if, yes, enjoyment alone is not a good reason.

Nobody is talking about disregarding automation just for fun. Why would you be talking about that ? Did you feel that someone suggested something like this ?

Does it apply for a 15kt crosswind flare ? Do you follow the FDs in that case ?
There are some who seem to suggest if every approach in raw data or atleast more the better. And about 15kt crosswind whether to follow FDs is answered before release on line. Look every company has rules you may not be comfortable with some but you can't just walk in and start teaching wisdom to everyone.
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Old 11th Jan 2021, 17:00
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Originally Posted by KayPam

Does it apply for a 15kt crosswind flare ? Do you follow the FDs in that case ?
Like any landings during flare I only look outside. At this stage only the PM is looking inside to check the pitch.
Even when I’m flying with FDs, I stopped following them when approaching the minimum. Primary reference are visual references like the Papi. Following blindly the FD bars below minimum during ILS CAT 1 might not be the smartest idea due to possible LOC and G/S fluctuations.

Last edited by pineteam; 12th Jan 2021 at 02:35. Reason: Typo
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 02:38
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Originally Posted by pineteam
Like any landings during flare I only look outside. At this stage only the PM is looking inside to check the pitch.
Even when I’m flying with FDs, I stopped following them when approaching the minimum. Primary reference are visual references like the Papi. Following blindly the FD bars below minimum during ILS CAT 1 might not be the smartest idea due to possible LOC and G/S fluctuations.
KP is trying to be humourous.
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 05:45
  #285 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by vilas
Importantly one has to be loyal to the pay check i.e. company policy and procedures.
Rather difficult to remain "loyal to the pay check" when the bean counters have been anything but loyal to us across the industry as a whole
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 06:41
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"Thank you for all you do. We're all in this together."
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 08:27
  #287 (permalink)  

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The bean counters count the beans so that the airline stays afloat. At times like this it well might be their ingenuity that makes us survive.

Every pilot is welcome to step up and do their work better. The board will be pleased, your ex peers thankful and bonuses roll in. Fixed sleep cycle in homely beds.

It always a daft surprise to see that mutual respect, professional courtesy, comeradrie and appreciation of honest work that we pilots show usually only extend twice the distance to the closest mirror.
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 09:52
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For debate, using the example of restrictions on raw data flying, this could create more problems than those supposed to be avoided.
The use of computed guidance (FD/AP) for an approach in high crosswinds reduces opportunity for pilots to gain knowledge of the drift angles involved and thus anticipate the manoeuvre for aligning the aircraft during a manual landing - the feel of the aircraft in higher crosswinds. Although pilots could make a mental note of the drift during a FD approach, but without consciously paying attention to this, thinking / flying, adding tacit knowledge - experience, pilots could be less skilled, less experienced.
Operators should be careful of introducing 'novel' safety interventions without considering side effects, which implies that the reasoning for raw data skills practice has to be understood by management.

This aspect runs throughout the thread; where is the need. Raw data flying can be fun, it can be encouraged, but is it really required; nice to have or must have - refer to bean counters.
In the example above, operators might encourage manual flight with computed guidance, but require a diversion for unaided approaches (failure case) in high crosswinds - safe without introducing problems.

But then the bean counters dislike diversions - but how much dislike in comparison with an accident. They lack experience in contemplating side effects, or an accident.
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 10:20
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The important bit in a crosswind landing is the flare-decrab-touchdown combination where there are usually issues, almost exclusively due to lack of practice of high crosswind landings (I would say a small amount of pilots lack theory). I do not really see any major benefit of handflying the approach but just an increase in workload. The SIM is definitely the place to practice all of that, and especially in the -hopefully soon- post covid, non jeopardy pure handling SIMs will be very important.
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 12:26
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Originally Posted by CessNah
Rather difficult to remain "loyal to the pay check" when the bean counters have been anything but loyal to us across the industry as a whole
The purpose of any business is to count beans more the better and you should be happy to contribute to it because only then the beans you take home will increase. Why Don't you be an entrepreneur for a change?
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 12:45
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Originally Posted by Centaurus
Suggest you read the accident report on Flash Airlines Boeing 737-300 Registration CU-ZCF and then reflect on your post. There are countless other similar accidents where poor instrument flying ability coupled with contributory cause of automation dependancy have resulted in fatal accidents.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_Airlines_Flight_604
In the above sentence you didn't once mention the word disorientation, aka getting lost in space. Disorientation: a threat that has ever been present in +100 years of aviation, well known and cause of many incidents and accidents.

Just to get this straight: I'm a fan of manual flying, I'm a fan of raw data flying. I'm sometimes in a fantastic position to "guide" people and in my company it is even part of the training program to do raw data approaches when possible. Because yes, you need the opportunity to learn assets, to young and old. Because it is an asset, it is a certain skill that can be handy. But it is not the whole freaking ultimate godlike saver and creator of 100% safe aviation like many like to think. And safe aviation is our goal.

I don't care if you are a master in raw data, I don't care if you are a master in FMC knowledge or APFD use. It's about you, as a pilot, knowing your weaknesses and strengths. Strengths are fine, but your weaknesses can get you killed. I'd rather have a guy asking me questions on use of AP when, why, how,... These people know their weaknesses and learn. What I don't like, is people who are going to "show" they know how to fly raw data. Those attitudes have created the worst situations I have seen in 20 years. Ego is the killer here, not automation. It is pretty ridiculous to debrief such situations and come to the conclusion that the way out of many "****up handflown raw-data" approaches is to set the AP, set appropriate modes and free your god damn brain from the probable overload you just created and the situational awareness that was long gone but you didn't realise it.

And that's the topic here: does APFD use decrease our situational awareness? No, it should increase. If not, maybe you need some training on the proper use of APFD systems. Otherwise it sounds like you are throwing away the baby with the bathwater.

Last edited by BraceBrace; 12th Jan 2021 at 13:38.
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 14:37
  #292 (permalink)  
 
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sonic, #293, I would argue otherwise, yet debatable.
I agree that the flare combination - coordination are important, but would replace 'practice' with 'exposure' in a range of situations. Continually flying in the same conditions adds little to the ability to adapt to other conditions; e.g. maximum winds and / or turbulence, the latter may be the greater challenge
Theory is not the knowledge of 'know what', but that of 'know how', particularly tacit knowledge - gained and improved with practice. The skills associated with this are the combination of knowing how-and-when to adapt technique, and the mental and physical 'gear change' required for the perceived situation.

Hand flying an approach provides opportunity to get in the loop earlier, experience wind / turbulence change with reducing altitude, and gusts affecting all axis - the 'combination'.
Many simulators have significant limitations in crosswinds, yaw - roll modelling is difficult, low turbulence fidelity, and the non existent lateral acceleration for the important seat of the pants feedback - instead reliance on the sim visuals to judge sideways movement.

The view of increased workload is a concern; why should this matter if the piloting task, aircraft capability, and situation are within the certification assumptions. Perhaps the assumptions have been misjudged, pilot capability vs situation. More sim training cannot guarantee improving all pilots, but restricting the situation to match aircraft - pilot capability in abnormal conditions could be more effective - safety wise. Auto flight is not necessarily less work load, only different.

BB, situation awareness
However, the FD/AP (flying via technology) provides a different awareness, not necessarily that for manual abnormal operations.

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Old 12th Jan 2021, 17:02
  #293 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by sonicbum
The important bit in a crosswind landing is the flare-decrab-touchdown combination where there are usually issues, almost exclusively due to lack of practice of high crosswind landings................... I do not really see any major benefit of handflying the approach but just an increase in workload..
On your first point I would say the approach is just as important on those bad weather days, and on your second point I DO see the benefit of handflying the approach. Those who leave the A/P in until 1nm from touch-down on a turbulent, crosswind approach, often get a nasty surprise when they finally take the A/P out. They suddenly realise what a challenging day it is that the A/P has been coping with, but have left themselves no time to get their responses up to speed and firmly into the groove of turbulent crosswind flying, so their flare, decrab and "landing" are usually poor in my experience of sitting next to them.

Much better to take the A/P out at 7-10 nm, so you have plenty of time to get into the groove of the conditions and for your motor responses to rev up. By the time you get to the flare and decrab, it is all nicely under control, (or you have gone around!).

NB, I am referring to A320 family, in which I usually leave the A/THR in, since it (and GS mini) do an excellent job on all but the most awful days, and I concentrate on keeping the plane the right way up and flaring and decrabbing correctly. In A330 one sometimes has to manually control the thrust as well.
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 19:53
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Gusty and windy: disconnect early and get in the groove. Keep the FD in.

I try to choose my visuals and raw data approaches on clear weather days and nights.

I never fly manual with the ATHR active. Didn’t do it on the Bus, don’t do it on the Boeing. I found that it over reacts and destabilizes the approach.
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Old 12th Jan 2021, 20:33
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raw data at night? sounds dangerous
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Old 13th Jan 2021, 00:43
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Originally Posted by vilas
Why Don't you be an entrepreneur for a change?
That has been my side hussle just prior to the pandemic and believe me, I did not decide to treat myself to a raging bonus and payrise while the rest of my employees are either getting sacked or having pay cuts to the point it could hardly be called a job anymore You just can't throw words like "loyal" around in aviation anymore that's all
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Old 13th Jan 2021, 03:51
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Originally Posted by Uplinker
On your first point I would say the approach is just as important on those bad weather days, and on your second point I DO see the benefit of handflying the approach. Those who leave the A/P in until 1nm from touch-down on a turbulent, crosswind approach, often get a nasty surprise when they finally take the A/P out. They suddenly realise what a challenging day it is that the A/P has been coping with, but have left themselves no time to get their responses up to speed and firmly into the groove of turbulent crosswind flying, so their flare, decrab and "landing" are usually poor in my experience of sitting next to them.

Much better to take the A/P out at 7-10 nm.
Totally agree with you. My worst landing was with a captain who asked me to keep AP ON until the last minute as he wanted to confirm the wind with the tower at 500 feet AAL since we have crosswind limitation for first officers. By the time he read back I was around 400 feet
with tail/crosswind of 15kt. No time to feel the aircraft and ended doing a 1.55G landing.
I always recommend my colleagues if they ask me, to disconnect at latest at 1000 feet to feel the aircraft especially in bumpy conditions. I personally disconnect around 7/8 miles when flying with FDs on.

Originally Posted by Check Airman
raw data at night? sounds dangerous
Right? Flying at night should not be legal at the first place. Too risky.

Last edited by pineteam; 13th Jan 2021 at 04:38. Reason: Added a sentence
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Old 13th Jan 2021, 06:09
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Originally Posted by pineteam
Totally agree with you. My worst landing was with a captain who asked me to keep AP ON until the last minute as he wanted to confirm the wind with the tower at 500 feet AAL since we have crosswind limitation for first officers. By the time he read back I was around 400 feet
with tail/crosswind of 15kt. No time to feel the aircraft and ended doing a 1.55G landing.
I feel your pain. That's got to be one of the stupidest things I've read all week.
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Old 13th Jan 2021, 09:34
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Whatever technique works best for you is by all mean acceptable, within the SOPs parameter.
Statistically speaking, if you check your operator's flight safety data, you will most likely find out that any exceedance involved with crosswind landings is mainly related to excessive crab angle on touchdown (Airbus FBW), excessive centerline deviation and bounces on touchdown. Proactive safety approach will enhance crosswind landings practice during recurrent sim sessions, as it is the only feasible way to boost motor skills in this situation ; flying around chasing crosswinds on the line for practice is not an option.
In the vast majority of cases when conducting sim sessions for crosswind practice the focus is in the last 500 ft, particularly close to the flare where the pilot will be very shortly required to exercise a rapid sequence of motor skills such as flare at the correct height, rudder to decrab and the right amount of aileron to maintain the centerline without exceeding 5 degrees of crab or bank.
It takes practice and exposure as you say and generally speaking there are several uncertainties that are addressed such as where to look and when and how to cope with some sensory illusion while flaring and decrabing.
Regarding the approach again, if you feel more comfortable to disconnect at 8-10 nm to get in the groove so be it. Hand flying is by definition a workload, otherwise there would be no autoflight systems around. How to use it correctly is another matter though, and I perfectly agree that in some situations it might not be the best solution (Airbus golden rule #2).
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Old 14th Jan 2021, 04:49
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Boeing Chief Pilot of special projects Jerry Whites comments re automation at 40:07

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