Quote:
Originally Posted by ckissick
Why is it possible to set the auto pilot to an elevation of 100 feet when the ground below you is at a higher elevation? It seems like it should be able to adjust to avoid a crash. Of course, the pilot could have just switched to manual. Still...
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Simple. The Ground Proximity Warning System only alerts when terrain is a threat. The pilot still has to intervene. In this case the autopilot could have been set to Level Change (for climbs or descents, descent in this case) with 100 feet dialed into the Altitude Select window and the airplane will obediently seek 100 feet of altitude while the GPWS sounds aural alerts all the way in. The pilot may also hand-fly and achieve the same results. There is no intervention by the autopilot for terrain or TCAS (other airplanes) alerts, the pilot has to intervene.