On Wednesday, July 10, 2013 7:13:56 AM UTC-7, wrote:
The news about the B777 accident at SFO is getting me confused. The news stories are constantly pointing to the Autothrottle not maintaining airspeed (and question if the 3 pilots in the cockpit were monitoring airspeed)but in all the aircraft I have flown airspeed is controlled primarily with pitch. Is there something fundamentally different about airspeed control in large jet aircraft? My experience is that pitch controls airspeed and power controls climb/descent, especially in the approach to landing situation.



Guy Acheson "DDS"

Hi Guy,

I fly gliders for fun(except when digging out of a hole which is work), and B767/757 for work(which is fun most of the time). Pitch plus power=performance. The debate over what controls airspeed/altitude is very old and obviously still alive. The FAA used to say "when power is variable and available, pitch controls airspeed and power controls altitude." That was the easiest way to teach students how to fly at minimum controllable airspeed. Of course its not black and white. There is the old joke about a pilot sitting at the end of the runway flapping his elevators, trying to get enough airspeed for takeoff! Personally I fly the jet just like I did light GA aircraft and turboprops-pitch for airspeed and power for altitude. Whatever technique works is fine for each pilot. There is talk of AOA on this thread but most civilian aircraft don't have them.

There are many truths in aviation. One is that the spot in the windshield that isn't moving is where you will land(glider or 777). If the desired spot is moving up in the windshield you are low, if its moving down in the windshield you are getting high.

All the talk in the press about autoflight modes makes me dizzy. I have 20+ years and 15,000+ hours in "glass cockpits"(B737,757,767) and know how to use autoflight but can't give you a dissertation on it. (sorry I am a pilot not an engineer). Luckily I still remember what the sight picture looks like. And if I get low I push up the throttles NOW if nothing is happening.. And in our world if a pilot get 5(five) knots slow the other will say something.....

The "extra" pilots were because it was an augmented crew for an 8+ hour flight. Two pilots in the cockpit at cruise while the others rest. All 3 or 4 in cockpit for takeoff and landing. In theory to look for traffic, and monitor the two pilots at the controls. Its SOP for domestic and foreign carriers and should enhance safety.

Fly safe and happy soaring.

Dean "GO"