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Rebuttal to Vanity Fair Story on AF447 Accident
Patrick Smith at "Ask the Pilot" takes on William Langewiesche's characterizations of pilots and cockpit automation. (www.askthepilot.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I think that the author was so jacked up about getting his feelings hurt that he missed the point of the original article. In fact, I wonder if he really read the whole thing.
Rather than responding to what was actually written (a deep and broad examination of a specific case, utilizing years of research data and the opinions of many different pilots and engineers), he decided to cherry pick a few parts which contravene his self image. Ironically, that mindset is one of the very things that the Vanity Fair article covers.
The idea that we cannot ask questions about the current state of the relationship between pilots and automation is absurd and irresponsible. As the article states, "...the mental makeup of airline pilots has changed. On this there is nearly universal agreement—at Boeing and Airbus, and among accident investigators, regulators, flight-operations managers, instructors, and academics." Those are some pretty solid sources. Is the "Ask the Pilot" guy accusing the VF author of lying? Sounds to me like he felt uncomfortable and perceived some personal offense, then decided to write a superficial, defensive "rebuttal." That's bush league, honestly.
Rather than responding to what was actually written (a deep and broad examination of a specific case, utilizing years of research data and the opinions of many different pilots and engineers), he decided to cherry pick a few parts which contravene his self image. Ironically, that mindset is one of the very things that the Vanity Fair article covers.
The idea that we cannot ask questions about the current state of the relationship between pilots and automation is absurd and irresponsible. As the article states, "...the mental makeup of airline pilots has changed. On this there is nearly universal agreement—at Boeing and Airbus, and among accident investigators, regulators, flight-operations managers, instructors, and academics." Those are some pretty solid sources. Is the "Ask the Pilot" guy accusing the VF author of lying? Sounds to me like he felt uncomfortable and perceived some personal offense, then decided to write a superficial, defensive "rebuttal." That's bush league, honestly.
"...the mental makeup of airline pilots has changed. On this there is nearly universal agreement—at Boeing and Airbus, and among accident investigators, regulators, flight-operations managers, instructors, and academics."
And becoming well recognized in the rank and file. It's a wonder we haven't lost more and I think a testament to the old heads still out there that give a damn.
And becoming well recognized in the rank and file. It's a wonder we haven't lost more and I think a testament to the old heads still out there that give a damn.
Hear hear! Awesome comment. It's rare that wisdom and experience join forces with humility and writing skills here on the interwebs. Thanks for your point of view.
Wow that's embarrassing.... Pretend I didn't post that comment there... Damn you iPhone!
Make believe the above comment was for Keith VanLierop. My magical machine won't let me comment there... Speaking of technology lol.... Meh...
pretending. LOL
It went there on mine
William Langewiesche, by dint of his equally significant experience in aviation and in writing, did all of his homework and has penned one of the most significant pieces on aviation safety in the last decade. Yes, it's damning, and as a professional pilot doubly so. But, damning or not, that doesn't chance the fact that Langewiesche is spot on with his analysis of the problems that lead to the crash of Air France 447, and that continue to dog the industry, as evinced by Asiana 214 last year, Colgan 3407 in 2009, and many other accidents and incidents that don't hold such a place in the public's mind. Smith is right in that pilots of "old-fashioned, seat-of-the-pants airplanes" also made "knuckleheaded" mistakes. Acknowledging failures of the past, however, doesn't do a damn thing to fix problems of the present. Pieces like Langewiesche's "The Human Factor", however, can start down the road to making things better.
Bravo, William Langewiesche, on a very well-done piece.