Originally Posted by
CBreezy
No. Because without the pilots interacting with the gear, the flaps, the speed breaks, the altitude selector, the radar, ATC issued changes to programming, heading when given vectors to final (50% of the time), weather deviations, step climbs, reroutes, holding and landing at any airport that doesn't have, specifically a CAT III, operating would be impossible. There's much more but I think I made my point.
Like I said, with a few changes in PVI, it's all possible. You don't think ATC could send reroutes through ACARS or CPDLC? Or that a GPS approach could be programmed to be flown to landing?
It's not as far as you think. A lot of what we do is busy work, and certainly doesn't require TWO pilots.