FlyJSH

They are getting to that point. Rear view cameras, "there is someone in the lane you are moving to", anti lock breaking systems, auto "turn the headlights on" systems, and all the other crap that compensates for idiots who can't drive are filling the market.

Truth is, all of those things, like autopilot, would help a talented operator reduce accidents to near zero. Unfortunately, the assistant has become a crutch.


'It's not my fault I hit that kid, my anti-kid-smooshing device didn't protect me." Forget about the fact that I can't navigate narrow streets, I don't look over my shoulder when I back up, or that I took my driving test in a Mini but now drive a Hummer.

Why doesn't the government do something about that?????

DeadHead

I sometimes wonder why no one pays attention to the falling standards on our roadways. The amount of people who die in automobile accidents pales in comparison to the amount of airline accident casualties. The argument can be made that the amount of deaths has gone down, but that is moreso due to the implementation of new life saving technology in newer model cars. I'd be curious to see the amount of property damage that is caused by vehicle crashes in the U.S. annually.

Not to mention bus and train accidents, which have increased dramatically over the past few years. Nothing seems to be done about that.

Though we have had a few tragic accidents in the past few years, we have for the most part been running one of the smoothest transportation systems in the country for the past 10 years.

No U.S. airline fatalities in 2010 - USATODAY.com

I'm not saying that the reliance on automation doesn't play a part in the degradation of a pilot's flying skills, but I'm personally sick and tired of our profession being a pi$$ing pot for the media, the government, and the general public.

WalkOfShame

Yes it is. I've done it several times with no problems. The geewizz 1000 has about a 10 sec AHRS quick-alignment if for some reason it didn't like the upset. I think I only had it re-align once in the many spins that I did.

[RANT]
You know, it seems like everyone on here is bashing the "inexperienced regional pilot". And while I can agree that there is a lack of training and standards at ALL levels (that fault lies with the FAA, not the pilots), I seem to see a lot of "mainline" drivers saying "autopilot on" shortly after the PNF brings the gear up (airbus drivers in particular). It seems to me that this degradation of piloting skill might be at all levels, not just the regionals. But what do I know, I'm just commute twice a week and I drive one of those highly-automated regional jets.... oh wait, that's right, I don't have auto-throttles or an autopilot that flies a VNAV profile, makes crossing restrictions automatically, or intercepts an ILS cleanly. So I still have to "fly" the airplane with the FCP and control the throttles.

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly pilots will blame other pilots and through each other under the bus. Yeah, 3407 was a screw up. But lets learn from it instead of throwing blame. [/RANT]

Ok, I feel better.... sorry everyone.

Now, where the hell are these media people getting their info!!?? 80 secs of hand flying? What!? Where are they getting this? I hate the media....

USMCFLYR

You can set out all of the standards and training requirements in the world, in the end it still comes down to an indvidual making a p*personal* call whether or not they want to accept the performance they just witnessed. INDIVIDUALITY WILL PLAY A PART. that is why some FSDOs/DPEs are Santas and others are not. That is why you will get busted for a minor infraction by one examiner and seem to get away with murder from another. An agency can come along and tell each of those people to play by the rules published, but it is up to the indivudals to comply. Now if you don't like the STANDARDS THAT ARE PUBLISHED to begin with, that is something an agency can try to correct, though they should be enforceable and reasonable/realistic to begin with in the first place..

USMCFLYR

propfails2FX

I highly recommend soaring. Cheap, challenging, and one of the best ways to learn the fundamentals.

$45 for a 2000 ft tow, $50/hr for two seat Blanik L-23 in Homestead, FL. Easy to score a 2 hour flight. That’s $72.50/hr and gets cheaper the longer you stay up (per hour).

No glass cockpit just a horizon, yaw string, and three pitot static instruments. It’s hard not to focus on the horizon and attitude fly (vice performance fly instruments) with such good cockpit visibility. High aspect ratio wings demand good footwork for coordinated turns. Stick and rudder flying at its purest.

The USAFA and a lot of foreign militaries believe in teaching potential student pilots how to soar. Energy management and wx assessment skills directly translate to high performance powered planes. It’s interesting to note that Air Canada 143, United 811, and US Airways 1549 were all commanded by glider pilots.

Bought a 15m glider (LS1-F) a few months ago and couldn’t be happier. Awesome visibility, quiet cockpit, great handling characteristics. Assembly time ranges from 15-20 minutes, well worth the savings received from storing the glider in its trailer. $50/month for its parking spot, and my last annual cost $175. 15m gliders of similar age and performance range between $12-23K. Lots of good deals out there for under10 grand if you’re willing to fly a sailplane with less performance.

Atlas Shrugged

Glass and automation are not the problem. You are good at whatever you practice regularly. Surgeons cut, dentist drill and fill, accountants cipher, etc. You give me the time and access to a sim or aircraft and I will fly it well.

The airlines don't want to spend the money. Qualified young pilots can be taught to perform safely in 500 hours if those hours are quality time. End of damn story!

TheFly

Amen to that. Consistency and proficiency is the key.

hurricanechaser

You can count me as one of the civilian pilots that has flown upside down. SuperDecathlon yeah baby. But since then I have moved on to more lucrative positions outside aviation. Oh well, when they start paying more for salaries. I'll bring back my skills on how to recover from an inverted spin back to the pilot market. Until then I'll recover from inverted spins for fun

APS Training: Inverted Spin Recovery - YouTube

727C47

SuperD for me too brother, and a lovely metal sparred Cub, gave me my taste of acro civvie side.