Autopilot at 30,000 ft and higher?
Having a bit of an argument with someone that seems to think the following:
"Ask any airline pilot why it's necessary to have automation at 30,000 feet. They'll tell you that humans lack the dexterity to fly at that altitude, due to thin air."
Took a bit of back and forthing and now he relented a bit with this:
"So let me qualify my remarks about needing automation at altitude:
Today, yes, planes with fly-by-wire can fly manual at 30,000 feet."
He's still adamant that manual flight above 30,000 feet without fly-by-wire can only be done with automation.
I've challenged him to post on a forum like this but he's reluctant to do so. Seems pretty silly I know but it be great to hear from people who do this for a living. No sense bringing up anything about military flying since he'll just brush it off with how they say and do what they are told.