Question of the Week: Fly the Airplane?

Editorial Staff

Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The Air France 447 crew reportedly became so engrossed in managing automated systems that they neglected fundamental manual flying, an issue described as "forgetting to fly the airplane."
The article uses this incident to prompt readers to consider whether automation ultimately enhances safety or increases vulnerability in aviation.

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According to the Wall Street Journal, the crew of Air France 447 got so wrapped up in the management of systems they forgot to “fly the airplane” as so many of us had drummed into us.

Has automation made us safer – or more vulnerable?
(click to answer)

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