Quote:
Originally Posted by flatbutt
Hey pilots, would we be better off solely in the hands of a pilot not relying upon electronics?
|
Depends on the pilot. Depends on his (her) flying background, training, proficiency, fatigue, health, mindset (as we just saw in Switzerland). Depends on the equipment/airplane, weather, various external pressures from operational inputs (the airline, the airport air traffic control, etc.)
Some pilots are artists when they hand-fly, some are quick to connect and loathe to disconnect the autopilot. Sometimes the autopilot is handy when you're tired and in bad weather/low ceilings and you click it off at about 500 feet and fly the landing yourself. No big deal.
A good pilot trusts that the equipment is functioning properly but can also identify when it might not be. Sometimes even the good pilots have a bad day and wind up skidding down the runway on their belly. Think of Sullenberger. BIRDS! Thump, thump, thump, thump. Next thing you know it's ten minutes later and they're all climbing onto a ferry in the middle of the Hudson River. Sometimes sh it just happens.