3 ms·

Don't modern passenger jets have some kind of failsafe way they could still be controlled and landed safely if the electronics fail? I would assume they do. But

Don't modern passenger jets have some kind of failsafe way they could still be controlled and landed safely if the electronics fail? I would assume they do. But then I know nothing whatsoever about aircraft safety and am only speculating.

lxgr 3y ago
Modern fly-by-wire systems often don’t have a mechanic backup, and even for mechanically controlled ones (like the B737) I wouldn’t be too sure if they’d fare that well without any electronic controls. But it’s not a given that an event of this type would even disrupt electronics not connected to the power grid. Even the longest possible line in an airplane is only on the order of a couple of meters, compared to thousands of kilometers for power and communication lines.
- GolfPopper 3y ago
  How much radiation would the passengers be getting during a Miyake Event? Air travel normally exposes travelers to a tiny percentage of a mSv. A "normal" solar flare can push that up to 200 mSv. 2000 mSv in a short time will make you sick and boost your chances of cancer. 20000 mSv puts you in company with Louis Slotin.
- SoftTalker 3y ago
  Modern aircraft have full authority digital engine controls (FADEC), even if they use cables and pulleys to operate the control surfaces. If your 737 turns into a glider you have one chance at landing somewhere, so yeah you might survive but not likely especially if you are over water.
rwmj 3y ago
Even in older jets the engines are controlled by electronic management units which take an electrical input from the throttle and decide how to turn that into valve actuations. There's a question (see sibling answer) about whether such electronics and wires are really vulnerable - maybe it only affects kilometers long runs - but if it is then I couldn't see the jet being flyable.

3 ms·

Don't modern passenger jets have some kind of failsafe way they could still be controlled and landed safely if the electronics fail? I would assume they do. But

by arrowsmith 3y ago

lxgr 3y ago
Modern fly-by-wire systems often don’t have a mechanic backup, and even for mechanically controlled ones (like the B737) I wouldn’t be too sure if they’d fare that well without any electronic controls. But it’s not a given that an event of this type would even disrupt electronics not connected to the power grid. Even the longest possible line in an airplane is only on the order of a couple of meters, compared to thousands of kilometers for power and communication lines.
- GolfPopper 3y ago
  How much radiation would the passengers be getting during a Miyake Event? Air travel normally exposes travelers to a tiny percentage of a mSv. A "normal" solar flare can push that up to 200 mSv. 2000 mSv in a short time will make you sick and boost your chances of cancer. 20000 mSv puts you in company with Louis Slotin.
- SoftTalker 3y ago
  Modern aircraft have full authority digital engine controls (FADEC), even if they use cables and pulleys to operate the control surfaces. If your 737 turns into a glider you have one chance at landing somewhere, so yeah you might survive but not likely especially if you are over water.
rwmj 3y ago
Even in older jets the engines are controlled by electronic management units which take an electrical input from the throttle and decide how to turn that into valve actuations. There's a question (see sibling answer) about whether such electronics and wires are really vulnerable - maybe it only affects kilometers long runs - but if it is then I couldn't see the jet being flyable.