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.

 

Only flew the Hornet for a few years, two decades ago, but now you've got terms like DEL and Mech floating around in my brain again... thanks a lot!

 

"I would complain less about the 737 if Boeing would, after building 8000+ of them, figure out how to make a toilet seat stay up."

I always laugh when the first turn after push back is a left turn and you hear the toilet seat slam shut in the first class lav!! Like was said. It is a pilots plane... 160 knots,flaps 40, autobrake 3 on a short runway tests your nerves and cojones! Its a Navy pilots plane.

 

The Superhornet has no Mech reversion... Just sayin. It's all trons or bust.

 

Yeah but then you gotta hot bunk.

 

Jaded said:

"My favorite argument for one airplane vs. another....." it's more comfortable cockpit"....or some other pilot favored aspect. This is business. I'm all for the airplane if it makes the company money....."

I'm one of those pilots who wants the most comfortable cockpit, but that includes a lot more than noise, comfortable seats and space. I get paid to fly jets and not once in almost four decades has the revolving door set of managers ever asked me about the proper gauge, model or manufacturer of the aircraft I fly. In these, my last few years, I'm sure they still won't come and ask me for approval of anything and I can almost guarantee neither will they ask you.

This is a business and mine is flying Jets from point A to B across our the world. I don't charge one customer for one seat mile or ton mile and they pay me according to a contract to operate the airplanes, either empty or full.

So what are my preferences? The one which pays the best, is easiest to fly, and is the most comfortable. That is a business decision of a professional pilot. They are the one who market the product, seats and space, I produce. That is their business and the decisions they get paid for.