On this, my post-call day off, I present tales of two airplanes, one Boeing (youtu.be/wclfY0Meruw), one Airbus (vanityfair/business/2014/10/air-france-flight-447-crash). One crew made up of Boeing test pilots, the other civilian airline pilots. While we have made incredible strides in safety and crew resource management in the half-century between these two flights, we seem to have forgotten that when all else fails, the captain needs to take command and fly the airplane. Many feel that most general aviation and regional airline aircraft are small planes or puddle jumpers, and look with mild disdain on them and those of us who fly them. I would argue, however, that while we can learn a great deal from the big iron drivers about automation, systems management, and safety protocols, we have the edge when it comes to stick and rudder skills. There are exceptions (Gordo, if you happen to read this, FedEx captains who fly gliders from Minden to Steamboat Springs definitely qualify!!!), but, as the recent crash of an Asiana 777 demonstrates, it doesnt matter what you fly. If you cant fly it, you have no business in the left seat.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:56:39 +0000
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