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| -Signs, Portents, and the Weather- |
| On autopilot: 'Pilots are losing their basic flying skills,' some fear after Boeing 737 Max crashes |
| 2019-05-27 |
| [USATODAY] Automation has made planes safer and more efficient, but the crashes of two Boeing 737 Max jets is leading some to wonder if there is a dangerous flip side. While advanced autopilots and computers are now considered an integral part of any modern jetliner, many pilots worry that the systems are detracting from developing and maintaining their own abilities. "We’ve been talking about this in the industry for years. Pilots are losing their basic flying skills and there’s an overreliance on automation," said Les Westbrooks, an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, after the latest 737 Max crash, an Æthiopian Airlines flight in March. That crash followed the crash of a Lion Air flight into the Java Sea five months earlier. The two accidents together killed a total of 346 passengers and crew. Boeing is redesigning a key computerized system in the plane, but questions are being raised about pilot actions as well. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #8 Stick and rudder skills lacking all right. If you’re flying along, fat dumb bored and happy., you’re not doing something you should be doing. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2019-05-27 17:24 |
| #7 Mush of the story. ISWYDT. |
| Posted by: KBK 2019-05-27 16:49 |
| #6 The AF 447 disaster was started with the pitot tube icing, then the plane stalled. The two pilots lost 'situational awareness' and rode the plane down 35,000 fett, in a stall, despite 75 stall alarms recorded on the voice cockpit recorder. The senior pilot came in from a nap, seconds before the crash, immediately identified the problem, said, 'push the nose down!', but it was too late. Mush of the story was reported on the automated maintenance reporting system, via satellite. Popular Mechanics article - What really Happened to AF 447 I see the current 737 Max issue as a Boeing response to the Airbus AF 447 problem. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2019-05-27 14:29 |
| #5 The only reason for a pilot in a jet liner is for take offs and landings, and manage the emergency, if it happens. As what they call me, an analogue pilot, we fly the aircraft. Todays pilots fly the systems, and are there for emergencies. If we have learned anything from the latest crashes, their emergency training is wanting. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2019-05-27 13:41 |
| #4 Also, 447 was found in a technically challenging situation but relatively short order. Makes one wonder what's up with MH 370. |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2019-05-27 11:52 |
| #3 AF 447 was also due to pitot tube icing; rendering airspeed indicators useless. |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2019-05-27 11:19 |
| #2 I know pilots who take what they are doing seriously and take pride in doing it. But then we hear about some of the others, and it's like anything else in life - luck of the draw. |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2019-05-27 10:32 |
| #1 ...We've known there was a problem like this since Air France 447 - but as long as the airlines keep pushing for automation to supplant (and eventually replace) the humans at the pointy end, this is going to keep happening. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2019-05-27 08:39 |