We
have progressed to modern jet aircraft whose computer flight control
systems are so capable that they can be used in every phase of flight
except takeoff. Following airliner manufacturers' safety
recommendations, most airlines now require mandatory use of the
auto-flight systems whenever possible. Pilots routinely go months
without actually manually flying their machines. They get to practice
physical handling and laid out emergency procedures only in a simulator.
Until the recent past, commercial pilots used to love manually flying their machines and sharpening their handling skills. The more they practiced, the more confident they became in their ability to handle the jet in all phases of flight. But in the name of flight safety, commercial pilots have now been largely reduced to computer operators -- in old pilot talk, button-pushers and knob-twirlers.
But is it in fact safer?
Until the recent past, commercial pilots used to love manually flying their machines and sharpening their handling skills. The more they practiced, the more confident they became in their ability to handle the jet in all phases of flight. But in the name of flight safety, commercial pilots have now been largely reduced to computer operators -- in old pilot talk, button-pushers and knob-twirlers.
But is it in fact safer?
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