In article 7tV_e.6370$tX3.1051@trndny06,
George Patterson wrote:
No doubt that as automation increases, piloting skills required
decrease. That may contribute to greater safety if adequate redundancy
is employed, but it also takes a certain charm out of flying an airplane.

Then increased automation should allow pilots to safely fly aircraft which
would
otherwise be very challenging; faster, less stable, etc.. That might restore
a
certain amount of charm.


That may be true of larger, faster airplanes, but is not true in the
case of the Cirrus. Even the SR22 isn't any faster than other light
aircraft that possess more stable flying characteristics.

I don't know what would be charming or exciting about sitting around
while the AP flies the airplane. I would be happy to have AP assistance
during the mundane parts of cruise and approach, but having to rely on
the AP to keep the airplane in stable flight is something that I can't
honestly say that I would like.

I'm trying to figure out why anyone would buy a Cirrus. I know people
who own them, but don't know why they were chosen over other aircraft
(even when compared with the Columbias).


JKG