Replies

My guess it was due to software glitches that occur. We have OFP (Operational Flight Programs) for our stuff but we seem to have a better grip on the programming. The most famous Airbus incident is where it was doing a fly-by and the computer wouldn't let the engines spin up and it pancaked into the trees. Again, I'm not sure (I am a fighter pilot), but I think it is perceived issues with the programming of the OFP not allowing direct pilot inputs, inputs that may, or may not exceed the design limits as perceived by the computer, and this can be bad because there are times, in emergencies, where you may have to put the jet in a situation where you exceed the normal envelope.

Just my guess, though.

The guy that ran the Airbus into the trees was demonstrating the auto pilot wave off. I think the Airbus is set up to waveoff by just pulling back on the yoke. That feature is disabled a some low altitude over the ground so you can flare before touchdown. In the airbus crash the pilot had entered the flare regime and I don't think he ever touched the power transducers (throttles), he kept pulling back on the yoke until impact.

On a Boeing product if you want to wave off on auto pilot you start with the Take Off/Go Around button on the throttles. This brings the power up first and makes inputs to the flight director system, as well.