Re:F-22 "avionics" (Score 1)

Not quite. While true that in the strictest definition of FBW it does not have a 'mind of its own', by its very nature a 3rd party (usually another computer) can be interposed between the pilot and the FBW system

Computers *are* a part of the FBW system itself. It's not a matter of 'can'.

Just look at the Airbus A320 and family. The onboard computer on the Airbus has been shown on several occasions to override the pilots input. Some have claimed this disconnection between pilot and plane to has lead to several accidents involving the plane.

Now we're talking about bugs or technical malfunction, which is very hard or virtually impossible to eliminate in such complex systems. But the benefits are so great in many respects when compared to these minor risks (after all, these error redundant, fault tolerant systems are thoroughly tested before they're put into service).

When the original poster of this thread complained about FBW, I had the impression that he believed FBW suffered from more disadvantages than advantages due to lack of direct, mechanical control. That's what I responded to. Technical failure can and do certainly occur in simpler, mechanical systems as well. The sort of incidents you mention (those which cause accidents or crashes) are extreme examples which are not representative for FBW based aircraft. And, as you mentioned yourself, I think we can safely state that FBW systems have prevented more pilot errors and accidents than it has caused.

Personally I feel any computer enchanced FBW system should have an override switch that causes it to accept direct control inputs in an emergency. Now, whether the F22 has such a backseat driving computer system I don't know.

I know that at least some FBW systems features 'soft limits' which allows for pilot override. In extreme situations such manual override can come in handy, I won't deny that. But I'd rather fly a FBW combat aircraft than a manually controlled one, due to the benefits of FBW (as mentioned earlier in this thread).

Now, whether the F22 has such a backseat driving computer system I don't know.

Me neither, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it does allow for pilot override.