Automatic Flying .
By Arman Motiwalla, 9PR, Dubai College.
Original Article by Scott Germain; First Officer for America West.
Original Article published in Aircraft Illustrated: Issue: October 2002 .
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SAFTEY.
The A320 ( Airbus A320) is a scientific marvel! Four hundred and twenty-two computers work together simultaneously, along with pilots to handle the aircraft throughout its flight, from take-off to landing. However, many people think that there is too much reliance on automation and this aspect is beginning to make the public question their own safety onboard the aircraft. .
Airliner's prime consideration is to transport passengers from one destination to another, comfortably, reliably and most importantly, safely. The Airbus A320 manages to do all of these things. Why then does the public regard it in such a negative light? Here is one story that hampered the public's faith in these beautiful machines. This is a well-published accident that involves a factory A320 at the Paris Air Show:.
This article is often referred to, to show that automation is not safe or unreliable. Studies have shown that had the same accident occurred in a different aircraft, the stall would have made the aircraft cartwheel through the trees and it would have lowered survival odds significantly. The accident was not the fault of the aircraft; rather it was caused by pilot error. Flight crews of the A320 have to understand its level of automation, its limitations and how different models of the A320 differ from one another. Training for pilots who operate Airbus aircraft is on average a third longer than that on other aircraft, such as Boeing aircraft.