> - otherwise, how could land the airplane? Other accidents have similar
> lapses of situational awareness and aircraft limitations.
>
> If you may remember about 30+ years ago, the Boeing 727 suffered a series
> of landing accidents that were attributed to some DC-6/DC-7 Captains
> trying to make idle thrust approaches and landings with flaps at 30 or 40
> degrees. If you've ever flown a Boeing 727, you'd know that you'd only
> try that once - if you were lucky enough to survive. At the time, many
> armchair experts severly criticized the 727 as a dangerous airplane that
> demanded flying skills beyond what the average pilot possessed. Not so!!
> The Boeing 727 can by safely flown by any pilot with a modicum of flying
> skills if he knows and understands what he's doing. Boeing didn't get to
> be the world's leader in air transport sales by building airplanes that
> only supermen could safely fly!!
>
> Just as with the Boeing 727 many years ago, the flight techniques were
> vastly different then for the transition pilots of the 1960s; they are
> still different for many pilots today coming to the Airbus from Boeing,
> Douglas and Lockheed airplanes. I can say that as an Airbus A320 Captain
> and Check Airman for 3 years, the A320 most assuredly is NOT a killer
> airplane. But it does put a premium on learning those specifics of the
> airplane's design pholosophy and operating characteristics that ARE
> different from previous airplanes I've flown. I found Airbus A320 school
> to be the most difficult I ever undertook, but it was also the most
> professionally satisfying thing I've done in my airline career. The
> airplane is a magnet for jumpseat riders; nobody leaves my cockpit
> without a mini-course in "Airbus-ology." And everyone who leaves departs
> with his eyes as big as pizzas and his aeronautical horizon vastly
> expanded at what a terrific airplane the Airbus is, how easy it is to
> fly, and what great capabilities it has.
>
> For example, the Airbus A320 has a digital fly-by-wire flight control
> system that utilizes Normal Flight Control Law, Alternate Law with Speed
> Stability, Alternate Law without Speed Stability, Direct Law, Mechanical
> Law, and Unusual Attitude Law. The Airbus A320 also is cerified
> single-engine, single-autopilot, CAT IIIa (700 ft RVR) autoland, although
> our Company OpSpecs don't permit an autoland in those circumstances.
> Nevetheless, the airplane HAS the capability. Stick that in your 727!
> (That's not intended to bad-mouth the 727, just to highlight the progress
> of 30+ years of technology!)
>
> Steve, I know you were exaggerating about the Airbus being a killer
> airplane; but I had to jump in an defend my machine. If you're ever
> flying the Friendly Skies on a 'Bus, stop by ther cockpit and I'll give
> you the Royal Your. You'll be amazed!!
>
> Best regards,
>
> George Bleyle
> The Airbus Driver