What Really Happened Aboard Air France 447

[Hawkmoon]

Hard to keep control for more than a few seconds, so the plane really has no pilot.

The article said something about the left seater taking simultaneous control, but the two sticks canceled each other out. Is the A330 different from your A320?

[Fly320s]

No, it is the same in that regard. One pilot was pulling back (nose up), while the other was pushing forward.

[tokugawa]

do those sticks have any feel? What about trim-is it just a function of the autopilot?

 

[Fly320s]

No feel, no feedback. Kind of like a joystick for a PC game.

Trim is automatic from the computers. Point the nose where you want it and it stays there.  Rudder is also automatic in flight. I fly with my feet flat on floor except for takeoff and landing.

[cosine]

Wait, what? Auto-rudder, like in the old Microsoft flight sims (so you could fly with just a joystick and you didn't have to coordinate ailerons and rudder)? Same thing here?

[Tallpine]

Wait, what? Auto-rudder, like in the old Microsoft flight sims (so you could fly with just a joystick and you didn't have to coordinate ailerons and rudder)? Same thing here?

Bonanza 

[tokugawa]

No feel, no feedback. Kind of like a joystick for a PC game.

Trim is automatic from the computers. Point the nose where you want it and it stays there.  Rudder is also automatic in flight. I fly with my feet flat on floor except for takeoff and landing.

Nice of them to let you have rudder authority for landing..........   so just out of curiosity, how do you deal with a crosswind on a big bird?
slip it,   or fly into the wind and kick it straight before touchdown? (seems like that might be a good way to break off the gear if it ain't perfect...)

[Fly320s]

Wait, what? Auto-rudder, like in the old Microsoft flight sims (so you could fly with just a joystick and you didn't have to coordinate ailerons and rudder)? Same thing here?

Yes.

Nice of them to let you have rudder authority for landing..........   so just out of curiosity, how do you deal with a crosswind on a big bird?
slip it,   or fly into the wind and kick it straight before touchdown? (seems like that might be a good way to break off the gear if it ain't perfect...)

I can still use the rudders in flight, I just don't need to.  #2. Kick it straight, drop a wing, roll it onlike butter.

[Tallpine]

I can still use the rudders in flight, I just don't need to.  #2. Kick it straight, drop a wing, roll it onlike butter.

Like a leaf on the wind ...?

[Boomhauer]

or fly into the wind and kick it straight before touchdown? (seems like that might be a good way to break off the gear if it ain't perfect...)

Some airliners have crosswind landing gear, IIRC.

You might enjoy this video of an A380 doing a crosswind landing... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrOUMupz6rM&NR

[Fly320s]

Some airliners have crosswind landing gear, IIRC.

I think most Boeings do. It is funny to taxi behind them and see 'em crabbing down the taxiway.