Airbus Industrie does, indeed, put a lot of "blind" faith in technology.
Like the A300 that crashed at the Paris Airshow several years ago. The A3
series are all "fly by wire" with pilot override of control limits placed by
the computers. In that case, when the A/C too low & slow the computers
limited control movement to what would be appropriate for an A/C flying
within the design performance envelope, not below it. Therefore, the A/C
mushed in to the trees, killing all aboard.
Airbus does not have any particular performance advantage. Theirs have
specific advantages and disadvantages over Boeing products, but nothing
overwhelming. The contracts end up in various details of support details,
spares pricing, etc. usually being the deciding factor. Airlines are very
much focused on the bottom line, it is an cut-throat industry with very
small profit margins. One of the things All airlines like about the Airbus
series is that the cockpit layout and crew procedures are much more
standardized than between various Boeing models. This significantly reduces
pilot training costs, both introduction and recurrent.
Although you'd like to think these large American airlines would be
motivated to support an American industry, they're most concerned with their
own survival and profitability.
Actually Boeing Commercial Aircraft Division IS currently in decline.
Airbus uses tactics very much like what got Microsoft in trouble, but
politically, its very difficult to fight against as the means they use to
"sway" a procurement can be very subtle, though critical, non the less.
Dale C.
Subject: RE: (no subject)
I'd really prefer to ride in a US- built plane, anyway. The Europeans (no
offense intended) still haven't figured out how to do air conditioning
properly-- Airbus included. Sweltering in the cabin of an Airbus on the
ground in Phoenix in not a fun way to spend a summer afternoon.
All in all, why US airlines buy foreign- made aircraft is beyond me. If
we're not careful, our US aircraft manufacturing base will be gone, just
like happened to many other US industries. Is it a matter of saving a few $
or is it question of performance that is not available from a domestic
supplier? Any ideas?
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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