Replies

<< well, with them flying over commercial traffic (now), I'd hate to think ... I just hope they know what they are doing .. >>

Relax, Guys. Nothing will change.

Most of the world's air transport aeroplanes have been operating without pilots for decades.

In America pretty much, chronologically, since the time of deregulation at which time the carriers forced pilot-costumed "low-bidder" cockpit hires [I have never confused one with nor called him "a pilot"] into the Profession -- and in the space of less than five years cut flight-deck quality by 60%. It's worse now, by far -- but the airplanes are more automated and, while functioning, compensate.

Throughout the world "ethicization" has accelerated the spiral and in America cockpit quota hires continue to ensure we don't miss out on defining proficiency down.

In the 40-odd years I have been flying with, commanding, training, supervising and employing pilots I have seen a gradual decline in standards and in flying abilities and consequential all-around competence. In world-wide air transport operations we long ago reached a mix in which around 15% of the folks in the pilot costumes can actually fly the aeroplane -- and the other 85% are along to set the aircraft in motion, for the ride, to monitor a lot of expensive airborne electronics [Most are especially good at that] -- and [Hopefully] to react in time to what the aeroplane does next.

Among Asia's air carriers' pilot-costumed personel -- who are as often as not in large part selected for their ability to be programmed by their state-owned and/or subsidised carriers' accounts department and to toe only the bottom line -- the mix, as is reflected in accident report after accident report, doesn't reach the heights of an 85 to 15% mix.

Those very few of Asia's pilot-costumed who can actually fly the aeroplane are constrained from doing so and and are turned into copies of the computer-gamer cardboard pilot cutouts sitting alongside them by a culture that forbids the questioning of "authority." And don't even ask about Africa's.

Oh -- and by the way -- enjoy your next flight home to see the oldies, eh?

Shoul be a corker trip if you're lucky and nothing goes wrong click goes wrong click goes wrong click goes wrong click goes wrong click goes wrong click ......

Bump/Ping .......