"What is the rudder for?" Yaw control. The article is excellent. I believe that too much automation, whether in airliners or GA, teaches complacency. Watch the computer do its thing, instead of participating in the operation. Does that mean get rid of automation? No, but it does mean that sometimes all that stuff needs to be shut off, and the pilot needs recurrent training in how to fly the bird. Whenever I take a ride with my instructor, whether for a BFR, an IPC, or just for fun, he puts me through not only expected maneuvers but unexpected ones. He's an ace at dreaming up scenarios that would not likely happen, but which could--and that prepares me for if they do. I fly single pilot IFR on occasion without any help from Otto, because there is no Otto in my airplane. The workload can be high, but because of my recurrent training, I'm ready for it. I would think that the same rule would apply to airline training--if the training addresses unusual situations, they'll be ready for

(Written on 2011/09/02)(Permalink)