Todos
← Back to Squawk list
Doomed Boeing Jets Lacked 2 Safety Features That Company Sold Only as Extras
"One of the optional upgrades, the angle of attack indicator, displays the readings of the two sensors. The other, called a disagree light, is activated if those sensors are at odds with one another." (www.nytimes.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Shareholder profits and senior officer stock options relying on increased profits
Ok, I'm not a pilot or an aircraft engineer expert,but I have a good deal of self-learned knowledge of aircraft systems and how to correct a stall or unknown angle of attack, but can somebody answer this question for me? Why can't a pilot just immediately flip a switch to turn off the automatic stall protection software to (hopefully) avoid a computer commanded stall avert nosedive? Don't pilots have an option to immediately switch to manual flight operation? Do budget airlines, and many foreign airlines teach, and insist that pilots be certified to manually FLY the aircraft, instead of being trained only to operate the computer software? THAT is scary!
I think the simple answer is no. I watched a demonstration it was more than one step and add to that the time necessary to diagnose the problem when you aren't at cruise altitude and don't have a system warning you of the conflict.
Can it be disengaged BEFORE takeoff roll?
Does anyone remember when rear seats and bumpers were options on cars? Later on seat belts were options. It is just taking time for aviation to catch up.
If time were all that it was taking that would be one thing, but it's also taking lives, and that isn't acceptable.
Unfortunately Bernie, throughout history it is the lives lost that ultimately cause the change. In this instance, it is extra training as a result of the accidents that will solve the issue. I don't think an AoA indicator and disagreement light would have helped either of these crews. They just didn't know how to disengage electric trim or turn a wheel.