Airbus Plans to Expand Cockpit Automation

Carl Bialik from WSJ writes "Airbus plans computerized systems that could automatically maneuver jetliners to avoid midair collisions, without pilot input, the Wall Street Journal reports. From the article: 'For the first time, flight crews of Airbus planes will be instructed and trained to rely on autopilots in most cases to escape an impending crash with another airborne aircraft. Currently, all commercial pilots are required to instantly disconnect the autopilot when they get an alert of such an emergency, and manually put their plane into a climb or descent to avoid the other aircraft. The change, which hasn't been announced yet, comes after lengthy internal Airbus debates and despite skepticism from pilot groups and even some aircraft-equipment suppliers.'"

Re:synergy!

[cnettel]

Yeah, immediate the transfer of the "immediate party" button from the dorm room to the cockpit context.

Re:Poor pilots

[slashmojo]

Soon they'll install msft flight sim running on an xbox 360 in the cockpit so the pilots can at least pretend they are flying it for real..

Re:Poor pilots

[nharmon]

In the future, the only crew on an aircraft will be a man and a dog. The man's job is to feed the dog. The dog's job is to bite the man whenever he tries to touch the controls.

Ok, first thing it reminded me off... I'm sorry :)

[88NoSoup4U88]

Peter Griffin: (to the Stewardess) Hey, where are we right now?
Stewardess: On an airplane, sir.
Peter: No. This room. What is this room called?
Stewardess: The flight deck?
Peter: No...
Stewardess: Control room?
Peter: No...
Stewardess: Cockpit?
Peter: (guffawing) HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HO, HO!!! AH, HO, HO!!! Oh, god! (to the pilot next to him) I told you I got her to say it! AH, HO, HO!!

Cartoon auto pilot

[ch-chuck]

My favorite cartoon version of an auto-pilot, from an ancient WB 'toon: Bugs Bunny and whoever are in an out of control airplane, so in desperation they press this big button labled "auto pilot". A door opens up, a cliche' looking Robot runs out, sees what's going on, grabs a parachute and jumpes out.

Re:Very Scarey

[ettlz]

"Hi! I'm your AutoPilot. It seems you are about to experience a mid-air collision. Would you like me to:

• move the airplane out of danger?
• search for music on the flight recorder?
• help you write a letter to your loved ones?
• do a trick?"

Pilots do screw up

[Beatlebum]

Reminds me of a story an old fella told me about his flight training in a British Meteor. Two young hotshots decided to stage a high speed opposing pass in which their jets flew directly towards each other, turning at the last second. The last words heard on the radio were:

"You break left and I'll break right".

Re:If it stops accidents...

[soft_guy]

Had both listened to the air control tower or the onboard warning systems everything would have worked.

And this new system will not solve that problem, because it would require all aircraft to be equipped with it to work, not just Airbus.

They should just have one rule - for both planes to stop. That would solve it.

I can see it now...

[Aqua_boy17]

Clippy has detected another plane approaching....FAST. What would you like me to do?

Turn Left

Turn Right

Dive

I don't see any planes. Send a bug report to Microsoft.