TexasCHLforum.com

Since I have a difficult time believing Airbus would have tried this from a runway that too short, maybe the length of the runway entered into the computer was incorrect.

How many of ya'll would turn down a flight on a B2 bomber? That thing cannot fly without a computer.

It's not about the computer, it's about how much authority the computer is given, and whether (and in what ways) it can trump the pilots decision making at critical moments.

The 777 and 767-400 are magic jets. The computer controls very many of the functions like pressuization, flight controls, etc. There are no longer push rods going to the flight controls....it is all little wires from the main computer to a servo out at the flight control. Stick/rudder/throttle movement is just telling the computer to position the flight control or fuel control in a certain position. There are no longer controls (knobs) to dial in navigation frequencies. It is all done on the computer control box in the cockpit and the aircraft automatically uses the best source of navigation. Prior to departure, you program the route that ATC cleared you to fly along with the departure runway and departure route. The airplane knows how much it weighs and will automatically set the required takeoff speeds on the flight displays. There are flap speeds on the airspeed display and (if I remember right) the aircraft will not let you slow down below that speed for the flap configuration you have selected. The aircraft will maintain the required speed. You can turn off the automation and hand fly everything but "Bi------ Betty" will let you know if you start to mess up. They have 3 of everything and they are checking each other to be sure the info received is correct. In a very low visability approch, there are only three callout, approaching minimums, minimums and land 3, which is a verification that all three autopilots are still engaged and flying the aircraft. You do not need to see the runway to land. I have made landings in Seattle when my first site of the runway was when the nose lowered to the concrete. THe automation will continue to track the airport radio signals and keep the aircraft on the centerline of the runway. Autobrakes will bring the aircraft to a stop. The pilot does have to go to reverse thrust and disconnect the autopilot and taxi clear of the runway. Then you have to find the terminal and gate in near zero visability. The company actually encouraged us to fly the automation because it does it so much more precisely and that causes less fuel burn. When your airline has 3000 flights a day, each flight saving 2 or 3 gallons of gas adds up. (and the 777 burns 4 gallons/minute/engine at idle)
Our aviation system is so incredibly safe because of the advancement of automation, standardization, the outstanding aircraft designers, airport systems, Air Traffic Controlers and Pilots. I was told when first hired by Delta that you were not here to have fun. We were there to safely and efficiently transport our passengers to their destination. If you want to have fun, go fly in the Air Guard or fly a little plane. The flying was fun because of the people I got to work with.

howdy wrote: The pilot does have to go to reverse thrust and disconnect the autopilot and taxi clear of the runway.

I think you forgot to add, "But it takes full power to taxi clear of the runway, you landed gear up!"

A few more tidbits:

"Never fly in the same cockpit with someone braver than you."

"A good landing is when you can walk away from the plane.
A great landing is when you can reuse the plane."

"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."

"Flashlights are tubular metal containers kept in a flight bag for the purpose of storing dead batteries."

"When a flight is proceeding incredibly well, something was forgotten."

"Try to stay in the middle
of the air.
Do not go near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, and
trees.
It is much more difficult to fly
there."

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your “plight” to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or
doing anything about it."

"Just remember, if you crash because of weather, your funeral will be held on a sunny day."

"An airplane is built to inherently want to fly. A helicopter is a compromised design that inherently wants to thrash itself
apart."

"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane, you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash."

"Mankind has a perfect record in aviation - we have never left one up there!"

"There are more planes in the ocean than submarines in the sky."

Old School co-pilot Checklist:

1. Don't touch anything
2. Keep your mouth shut

"The three most common military aviation expressions (or famous last
words) are:
'Did you feel that?' 'What's that noise?' and ......."

G26ster wrote:

howdy wrote: The pilot does have to go to reverse thrust and disconnect the autopilot and taxi clear of the runway.

I think you forgot to add, "But it takes full power to taxi clear of the runway, you landed gear up!"

A few more tidbits:

"Never fly in the same cockpit with someone braver than you."

"A good landing is when you can walk away from the plane.
A great landing is when you can reuse the plane."

"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."

"Flashlights are tubular metal containers kept in a flight bag for the purpose of storing dead batteries."

"When a flight is proceeding incredibly well, something was forgotten."

"Try to stay in the middle
of the air.
Do not go near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, and
trees.
It is much more difficult to fly
there."

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your “plight” to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or
doing anything about it."

"Just remember, if you crash because of weather, your funeral will be held on a sunny day."

"An airplane is built to inherently want to fly. A helicopter is a compromised design that inherently wants to thrash itself
apart."

"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane, you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash."

"Mankind has a perfect record in aviation - we have never left one up there!"

"There are more planes in the ocean than submarines in the sky."

Old School co-pilot Checklist:

1. Don't touch anything
2. Keep your mouth shut

"The three most common military aviation expressions (or famous last
words) are:
'Did you feel that?' 'What's that noise?' and ......."

ah yes thanks for the walk down memory lane......