Boeing or Airbus? Stick or Yoke? Coke or Pepsi?

aviatoralex

aviatoralex

Smartass
Out of the people who have flown both Airbus and Boeing aircraft (civilian) would you say you like to be in full control or do you like the computer to do most of the stuff?
Also, do you like the handling of the yoke or stick better?
 
aviatoralex said:
Out of the people who have flown both Airbus and Boeing aircraft (civilian) would you say you like to be in full control or do you like the computer to do most of the stuff?
Also, do you like the handling of the yoke or stick better?
Click to expand...

After flying tons of different airplanes, I'll say for sure, Pepsi is much better. One more reason I miss NWA.
 
aviatoralex said:
Out of the people who have flown both Airbus and Boeing aircraft (civilian) would you say you like to be in full control or do you like the computer to do most of the stuff?
Also, do you like the handling of the yoke or stick better?
Click to expand...

On the first question, your question is flawed, in that in ALL the FBW, Boeing, Airbus, etc., the computer does ALL "the stuff". The only difference in the control law is that Boeing has the load artificial feel change with changing airspeed (artificially requiring you to trim). Boeing also uses a parallel interface when the autopilot is on so the controls are moving with the autopilot inputs and the pilot controls are mechanically connected so both sides move together. Aside from that, they are pretty much identical, contrary to popular belief.

On the second, I have yet to meet a pilot who has flown both a stick and a control wheel who prefers the latter, in any aircraft class.
 
I very obviously don't have experience in either Airbus or Boeing airplanes, but as my private pilot ground instructor says "You want to do things the easy [but safe] way when you're flying; why make extra work for yourself?" As such I tend to think that I would like the Airbus philosophy of operation better based on what I have heard about it, but I wouldn't know. :dunno: Too, what defines "easy?" Maybe someone who is not computer oriented would find an old school DC9 easier to fly. I know people like that in the GA world when it comes to the G1000 and many of the other glass cockpit or "partial glass cockpit" setups.

Also definitely prefer Pepsi! :D
 
The Airbus philosophy is very different. A330 pilots usually like it very much, in direct law it is a fantastically enjoyable airplane, it's powerful and quiet, A320 pilots have more mixed feelings, the A340 feels like a big 330, pretty neutral and not that responsive. Don't know any A380 pilot yet.
You get used to the sidestick in a matter of minutes, the lack of feedback is disconcerting at first, but you don't notice it after a little while. And the space freed by the absence of yoke is nice.
See, Airbus philosophy closely reflects pilot training in Europe : a lot of emphasis on theory, you get hired with 250hrs but with a huge technical knowledge. Airbus made the planes very user-friendly but as soon as you start scratching a little bit things get very complex. It wasn't so much the case with Boeing but it is becoming that way too.
I like older Boeings better though. The 72 conveys a very strong image for me, so's the DC10, wish I could've flown these birds...
 
Boeing has all sorts of protections, too. Yes, even alpha protection. Like seagull said, it's not just an Airbus thing.
 
I really wish the 787 would have been designed with a side-stick.

Besides the control column makes my skirt ride up during rotation. It's quite embarrassing.


:sarcasm: for those sarcastically challenged members
 
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