Todos
← Back to Squawk list
Technology's Paradox
The crash in February of a TransAsia ATR 72, which was captured in horrifying detail by dash-cam as the big twin turboprop clipped a road and broke apart, should be an eye-opener to us all. Automation, or rather pilots' inability to manage it or to fly without it proficiently, has become public enemy No. 1. It is without doubt the main culprit of airline crashes around the world. (www.flyingmag.com) Más...
Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Yes, it does seam that we have reached a changeover point in aviation. The stories of pilots heroically bringing crippled airplanes to safety are being replaced with stories of pilots taking perfectly good airplanes and bumbling them to catastrophe. During this time, planes have become much safer so it is obvious that pilots have changed for the worse. Blame it on technology? No doubt that is a factor but training is the root cause. An ab-initio training program can take almost anyone and teach them to fly a Boeing or Airbus to proficiency but many building blocks that usually support that knowledge are missing. I've flown with many pilots that cannot figure out a TOD for a crossing restriction in their head. If the FMS can't do it they can't do it. What else can't they do if the automation fails? Sitting in front of our computers with google, we are all geniuses. Turn the computer off, and we revert to our experience and knowledge level. Pilot training and recurrent programs have to get back to teaching some basics with automation failed.
A sub-context is that this type of training is even allowed. I'm thinking of the World Trade Center attack. Those terrorist were allowed to pass with the most basic of basics. That type of standard is a joke and never should be allowed. The schools just want the bucks, forget the common sense, morals and self-discipline.
Well said.
While I was retired the first time, I had me a truck line. Most of the time, my calculator on my desk would work but I remember a time or 2 being away from my desk and picking up a phone call from a customer who was wanting a quote right then and I had to do it in my head or on a piece of paper. I really did like that calculator but I knew how to do it the other way.
Spot on.
My Facebook comments: TECHNICAL PARADOX? I consider the comparison of the above airline accidents misleading to Pilots & the GA community. Unless you include the appropriate issue that is relevant to your argument then I miss the point. I believe your generalization that Everyone knows the primary causes and contributing factors to ANY accident is a stretch. Using your examples:
AF447 is a loss of airspeed information contributing to Poor Airspeed Management Stall;
Colgan Air 3407 was poor airspeed management Stall Spin;
Asiana214 was Poor Airspeed Management Near Stall at landing;.
To say "Pilots Almost Never Make These Same Mistakes" is False. Humans make mistakes; Pilots are Human and the use of Technology like TAWS makes Pilots more aware when we make an Error. If TAWS was 100% effective then 2 ATP pilots in a 182 would not hit a mountain at night.
I agree that Continued, regular training is helpful to minimize accidents. For all pilots It is about; Awareness of our surrounding conditions, while Performing a complex task, during 'Unrelated to flight' (equipment, passenger, ATC, check list, etc...) distractions. It's a HUMAN PARADOX.
AF447 is a loss of airspeed information contributing to Poor Airspeed Management Stall;
Colgan Air 3407 was poor airspeed management Stall Spin;
Asiana214 was Poor Airspeed Management Near Stall at landing;.
To say "Pilots Almost Never Make These Same Mistakes" is False. Humans make mistakes; Pilots are Human and the use of Technology like TAWS makes Pilots more aware when we make an Error. If TAWS was 100% effective then 2 ATP pilots in a 182 would not hit a mountain at night.
I agree that Continued, regular training is helpful to minimize accidents. For all pilots It is about; Awareness of our surrounding conditions, while Performing a complex task, during 'Unrelated to flight' (equipment, passenger, ATC, check list, etc...) distractions. It's a HUMAN PARADOX.
