How much lack of similarity in airliner flying?

"Otis McNatt" wrote in message
om...
Suppose *both* pilots in, say, a B-737, were to die in flight
due to some incredible, but unfortunate coincidence. For
instance, one could die of a heart attack, and the other, say,
of an aneurysm. Now, I'll admit the chances of this happening are
remote, but it could happen; stranger things have.

So, suppose it did happen. If there happened to be an airline pilot
on board who was certified in any of the other Boeing models, from the
717 up the 747 and 777, but having no experience flying the 737, would he
have much of a problem landing the plane?


The most modern airliners are automated.

The pilot takes off and climbs until at a safe point enganges the autopilot
and the plane flies itself from that point on.

Most modern airliners have a Flight Management Computer which pretty much
does everything, including serving coffee (joke).

Best case scenario: a plane with a full automated autloand system (Cat IIIb
I think it's called) , requires the pilot to only dial the right nav data;
it will intercept the localizer, descend, flare, touchdown, brake, and steer
itself down the runway to a stop. When everything works, it's quite amazing
to watch ... the first 3-4 times. Then I am ready to bet, it gets boring.

So if the plane was not damaged in the accident that killed the two pilots,
a person with zero knowledge of piloting, under the guidance of experts on
the ground, can land the plane ... for the very simple reason that the plane
will land itself. All he/she will have to do is dial the right data in.

pilots are there in case something goes wrong and they make sure that the
plane is flying great when nothing is going wrong.

1 - the difference between the professional pilot and the rookie is that the
rookie is always surprised when an emergency happens, the pro is surprised
when no emergency happens.

2 - (this comes from my instructor) thousands and thousands of engeneering
hours went into your plane. It knows more about flying than you'll ever do.

Just my personal, non-qualified, attempt at an answer.

--
Marco Rispoli - NJ, USA / PP-ASEL
My on-line aviation community - http://www.thepilotlounge.com

Marco Rispoli wrote:

Best case scenario: a plane with a full automated autloand system (Cat IIIb
I think it's called)

Unless things have changed in recent years, there are very few runways
that are equipped with a Cat IIIb ILS.


--
Chris W

Not getting the gifts you want? The Wish Zone can help.
http://thewishzone.com

Chris W wrote

Marco Rispoli wrote:
Best case scenario: a plane with a full automated autloand system
(Cat IIIb I think it's called)

Unless things have changed in recent years, there are very few runways
that are equipped with a Cat IIIb ILS.

NOT required!
At least in the Boeing jetliners that I flew at PanAm. You are
confusing "Approach Categories" with "Autoland". In the B-727,
the autoland system functioned quite well from a CAT II ILS.
Our B-727 minimums were CAT II and if we saw any of the Part 91
"things" at or above minimums, we could just leave the autoland
engaged to touchdown.
Autoland IS required for CAT IIIb approaches but in my experience,
was optional for CAT II operations.

Bob Moore
ATP B-707 B-727
PanAm (retired)

"Bob Moore" wrote in message
. 122...
Chris W wrote

Marco Rispoli wrote:
Best case scenario: a plane with a full automated autloand system
(Cat IIIb I think it's called)

Unless things have changed in recent years, there are very few runways
that are equipped with a Cat IIIb ILS.

NOT required!
At least in the Boeing jetliners that I flew at PanAm. You are
confusing "Approach Categories" with "Autoland". In the B-727,
the autoland system functioned quite well from a CAT II ILS.
Our B-727 minimums were CAT II and if we saw any of the Part 91
"things" at or above minimums, we could just leave the autoland
engaged to touchdown.
Autoland IS required for CAT IIIb approaches but in my experience,
was optional for CAT II operations.

Bob Moore
ATP B-707 B-727
PanAm (retired)

Thanks for the clarification Bob.

As I said, I am unqualified and just going by what I am learning in IFR
basics ... and MS Flight Sim.



--
Marco Rispoli - NJ, USA / PP-ASEL
My on-line aviation community - http://www.thepilotlounge.com

"Bob Moore" wrote in message In the B-727,
the autoland system functioned quite well from a CAT II ILS.

During Cat II trials, my colleagues logged a successful Cat II with autoland
at an airport without a Cat II ILS.

D.

Capt.Doug wrote:
"Bob Moore" wrote in message In the B-727,
the autoland system functioned quite well from a CAT II ILS.


During Cat II trials, my colleagues logged a successful Cat II with autoland
at an airport without a Cat II ILS.

That's not too surprising. A Cat 1 ILS can be with in the limits of Cat
II, it's just not guaranteed to be that way all the time.

--
Chris W

Not getting the gifts you want? The Wish Zone can help.
http://thewishzone.com

"Bob Moore" wrote in message

NOT required!
......In the B-727,
the autoland system functioned quite well from a CAT II ILS.
Our B-727 minimums were CAT II ....

I concur.

John Gaquin
B727, B747