3 ms·

I'm speaking from complete ignorance here, but why couldn't the airline industry standardize a bit more? It seems that a pilot has to have special high-intensi

by lwhalen 11y ago

I'm speaking from complete ignorance here, but why couldn't the airline industry standardize a bit more? It seems that a pilot has to have special high-intensity training on each individual aircraft model, whereas I can jump in pretty much any car from here to Hong Kong and be able to control the machine safely after a ~60 second glance at the dash and steering column. Yes, I understand that adding that extra third-dimension of travel (up and down, in addition to forward-back and left-right) adds complexity, but I have a hard time believing that a standardized control interface for aircraft of X-class engine size wouldn't increase safety.

throwaway_xx9 11y ago
First, airliners have complex systems that need to be understood in detail since you can't just pull over at the side of the road like in a car. Second, newer families of airliners by Airbus and Boeing do have similar systems and often a type rating covers 2 or 3 models now. Third, each operator has their own standards and practices. In fact, airline operator standards are considered to be more pertinent than general FAA or mfg. requirements.