Gear Up: One Big Airplane

Friday, May 14, 2010 at 05:40 AM ET

Verified

US Airways' newest jet simulators have
the best daylight visual displays yet,
and the motion is supplied by electrical,
not hydraulic, power.

Key Takeaways:

The Airbus A330-200 simulator features a highly advanced, "science-fiction" cockpit with glass instruments, a side stick instead of a yoke, and extensive computer automation for flight control.
The fundamental design philosophy of the Airbus heavily relies on "flight envelope protections" (e.g., "normal law") and computer systems to ensure safety and prevent pilots from exceeding operational limits.
While providing robust safety nets and simplifying certain maneuvers through automation, this high level of computer control can lead experienced pilots to "miss the flying" associated with traditional stick and rudder aircraft.

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Though I thoroughly enjoyed being the guest of US Airways, after two tiring sessions in its simulators, I was ready for a break. The Boeing 757 and 737 had been fun and, for the most part, understandable to me. I had survived assorted V1 cuts and wind shear in both airplanes and was pretty well rung out when my host, Corky Carson, led me to a trim, scholarly looking gentleman with a calm air and a bemused smile. He was Rob Byrd, check airman and instructor on the Airbus A330-200, a behemoth of an airplane that seemed incongruous with the thoughtful man I saw before me.

Rob was to show me and Corky (a 767 captain and check airman) what the big Airbus was all about. First, though, he had to finish checking his seat assignment on tonight’s Charlotte, North Carolina, to Frankfurt, Germany, trip; Rob was heading to Toulouse, France, to pick up US Airways’ latest A330-200 acquisition as soon as we got done with our sim ride.