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This assumes the skill variance among pilots is pretty low. Average not in skill (I don’t think there’s a way to rate or rank pilots) but in specialised Boeing

This assumes the skill variance among pilots is pretty low. Average not in skill (I don’t think there’s a way to rate or rank pilots) but in specialised Boeing plane specific training. The problem with Boeing’s assumption was that pilots would have specialised training on that model, and the regulators seem to be trying to remediate that.

rowanG077 7y ago
If the skill variance is pretty low then you might as well use test pilots. Their skill will hardly be better then the worst of the worst. I don't think there is actual data on skill variance among professional airline pilots so I rather they just force testing on groups which are statistically more significant to get into crashes.
- sudhirj 7y ago
  But aren’t test pilots specially clued on to the plane, the features they’re testing and how to react in problem situations? That’s like testing car airbags with stuntmen who know how to crash without getting hurt anyway.
  - salawat 7y ago
    Keep in mind that even with test pilots briefed on the behavior, one of the three ended up losing the plane during testing of single event upsets of the Flight Computer. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/newly-stringent-faa-tests-spur-a-fundamental-software-redesign-of-737-max-flight-controls/ https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/newly...
- hwillis 7y ago
  That absolutely does not follow. Test pilots are prepared and trained for the extremes of control. It's a totally different skillset. The point of the test flight is to push the plane as far as it will go. Practically all drivers, regardless of skill level, will lose control if you have them hydroplane a car. Race drivers will not. With a couple advanced driving classes suddenly most people will be able to handle a slide much better. There's a gap in experience, not talent. There is no such gap between any two normal drivers.
deleted 7y ago
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rowanG077 7y ago

If the skill variance is pretty low then you might as well use test pilots. Their skill will hardly be better then the worst of the worst. I don't think there is actual data on skill variance among professional airline pilots so I rather they just force testing on groups which are statistically more significant to get into crashes.

sudhirj 7y ago
But aren’t test pilots specially clued on to the plane, the features they’re testing and how to react in problem situations? That’s like testing car airbags with stuntmen who know how to crash without getting hurt anyway.
- salawat 7y ago
  Keep in mind that even with test pilots briefed on the behavior, one of the three ended up losing the plane during testing of single event upsets of the Flight Computer. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/newly-stringent-faa-tests-spur-a-fundamental-software-redesign-of-737-max-flight-controls/ https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/newly...
hwillis 7y ago
That absolutely does not follow. Test pilots are prepared and trained for the extremes of control. It's a totally different skillset. The point of the test flight is to push the plane as far as it will go. Practically all drivers, regardless of skill level, will lose control if you have them hydroplane a car. Race drivers will not. With a couple advanced driving classes suddenly most people will be able to handle a slide much better. There's a gap in experience, not talent. There is no such gap between any two normal drivers.

deleted 7y ago

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