[alancalverd]

So there we have it. Autopilot on can kill you, autopilot off can kill you. I repeat - all aircraft bite if you mistreat them.

Round about lesson 001 your basic skills instructor will demonstrate the use of  aerodynamic trim controls. Set the cruise power, set the attitude that gives you constant height for that power, point it where you want to go, then trim so that the plane flies "hands and feet off" in a straight line. Followed by the maxim "This machine is designed to fly, you are not. Now leave the bloody thing alone until we get to Birmingham."

And now they want to automate cars.

[evan_au]

And now they want to automate cars.

My hybrid car has a vision system that allows it to follow well-marked lanes (assuming there is no roadwork with missing paint)
- It will slow down and stop at traffic lights (provided there is someone stopping ahead of you)
- It will return to cruise speed when the lights turn green (provided the car ahead of you moves off)
- It is vital to know what situations it can and cannot handle. Unfortunately, cars are spaced a lot closer than planes, and the drivers have less training, so constant vigilance is essential

This car has a safety feature that detects if your hands are off the wheel, and slows the car to a stop.
- It's sort of like a copilot - you can feel their hands on the wheel, too...