Originally Posted by
rwthompson67
The Hornet actually had a mechanical link between the stick and both stabilators. You could fly it without the help of either FCC (though would be tough to land it). Does the bus even have that option? Any such thing as Airbus Mech reversion?
Kind-of. (This was 12 years ago). There was one training event in the sim where you lost all the Flight Control computers...I think there are 7 total.
The real intent was to show you could control the airplane long enough to reset at least one of the computers, but the event required you to land it. The session started on centerline about ten miles out.
In my case, I worked roll by differential throttle and rudder....there is still some kind of direct-hydraulic link for the pedals and the fin.
The Capt worked the trim wheels for me. It was tough....as you would expect, adding power made it pitch up, and vice-versa....we were on-freeze for a while while we got the hang of it. I learned to anticipate the pitch changes and call for the trim changes BEFORE I moved the throttles.
It worked surprisingly well, and the "landing" was not really that bad.
Would I want to do it for real? No way. But could it be done?
Probably, and if you were really lucky, the jet might even be reusable when it was over.