Originally Posted by SkyHigh

Heck even ten years ago most planes had only an HSI as the hottest thing in the instrument panel. You had to navigate and orient yourself using mathematics and mental spacial orientation skills. If you got the numbers reversed in your head or lost your position on approach you were dead.


I agree.

There are very few opportunities for new pilots to get real hand flying skills. Now pilots just sit back and watch the little plane track a course across the sky and the MFD. Holding patterns are merely a few button pushes. Even student pilots have full glass cockpits. Practically the only oasis of pilot skill left is the old cross wind excuse.

In the near future hand flying will be an emergency procedure.


SkyHigh