laptop reviews

Question

by kcpugman: How much does the computer on a commerical plane control the flight?

What % does the computer on a commerical airline control the flight.

Best answer:

Answer by KMOX

The “computer” is really called a Flight Management Computer (FMC) on most commercial airliners. The FMC technically doesn’t control the flight (that’s the autopilot’s job). But here’s the answer to what I think you’re asking:

The FMC contains the route of flight, the altitudes to fly at, as well as performance data and navigation data. The FMC will guide the autopilot to fly the flight plan entered by the pilots.

Typically, the autopilot is engaged for 90% of a flight. That is an average. The pilot always hand flies the takeoff, and usualy hand flies the first 5 minutes of the departure. On the arrival, most pilots will disconnect the autopilot within 3-5 minutes of landing.

There are some exceptions to the landings. On aircraft equipped with Autoland, there is a requirement to complete autolands (where the autopilot lands the aircraft) every so often. So, obviously on those flights, the autopilot is not disconnected until after landing.

The reason the autopilot flies 90% of the time is not because pilots are lazy (although you could make a case for that). Rather, it’s for passenger comfort. The autopilot usually can fly the aircraft more precisly and smoother than a human can. In the upper altitudes (above 30,000ft), the aircraft controls are very sensitive and small movements made in the control column can be felt quickly by the passengers.

Plus, with the autopilot engaged, it gives the pilots time to catch up on reading the USA Today

What do you think? Answer below!