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Again we are seeing a more systematic issue that commercial pilots don’t have stick and rudder skills. Automation has taken over 95% of the job. They push the t

Again we are seeing a more systematic issue that commercial pilots don’t have stick and rudder skills. Automation has taken over 95% of the job. They push the throttles up to take off power, pull back on the stick, and then punch the auto-pilot and sit back and enjoy the ride. Then they don’t fly or input anything into flying until landing where they again fly the plane for the last 3-5 minutes of the flight. I would be interested to see the experience level/age of the pilots. As I think the retiring generation of pilot was much more equipped to deal with this type of issue. Then the new generation of pilot. I included an article lamenting this decreased skill we are seeing. It’s refering to the Miracle on the Hudson. But I think it applies here as well. [1] [1]https://nymag.com/news/features/53788/index1.html https://nymag.com/news/features/53788/index1.html

throwaway663 8y ago
Afaik autopilot has always played a large role, I used to have a few beers, amoungst company, with a retired SA first officer or engineer - someone in the cockpit anyway, they basically mastered sleeping upright once they reached desired altitude, helpful as they were all hungover as fuck. I'm sure they were all capable though. Autopilot handled 95% of flight even back then - 20 years ago I'd gather given his age. Wasn't a bullshiter about anything else so I'd (I at least) take his account as accurate, esp when hearing about the arms cargo etc.. and meeting other pilots that would visit
_s 8y ago
This is rather inflammatory at best, and pretty derogatory to the vast majority of pilots who spend upwards of $100,000 to gain the skills necessary for an ATPL, spending anywhere from 1000-2500 hours flying aircraft older than yourself using technology that predates WW2, and even WW1 in some cases. Stick and rudder skills is all you have to get through the first 100 or so hours of your flying career. What you're seeing is a consequence of companies willing to skimp on training and certifications, pressuring authorities and manufacturers to find workarounds, and keeping the folks actually flying the thing in the dark about it.

throwaway663 8y ago

Afaik autopilot has always played a large role, I used to have a few beers, amoungst company, with a retired SA first officer or engineer - someone in the cockpit anyway, they basically mastered sleeping upright once they reached desired altitude, helpful as they were all hungover as fuck. I'm sure they were all capable though. Autopilot handled 95% of flight even back then - 20 years ago I'd gather given his age. Wasn't a bullshiter about anything else so I'd (I at least) take his account as accurate, esp when hearing about the arms cargo etc.. and meeting other pilots that would visit

_s 8y ago

This is rather inflammatory at best, and pretty derogatory to the vast majority of pilots who spend upwards of $100,000 to gain the skills necessary for an ATPL, spending anywhere from 1000-2500 hours flying aircraft older than yourself using technology that predates WW2, and even WW1 in some cases. Stick and rudder skills is all you have to get through the first 100 or so hours of your flying career. What you're seeing is a consequence of companies willing to skimp on training and certifications, pressuring authorities and manufacturers to find workarounds, and keeping the folks actually flying the thing in the dark about it.