Ask the Captain: Small plane or big jet harder to fly?

Question: Which requires more piloting skill, a turboprop plane or a state-of-the-art airliner with sophisticated computers?

-- Submitted by reader Dave Squire, Littleton, Colo.

Answer: Jet airliners are complex, automated and fast. To pilot them requires good systems knowledge, good automation skills and the ability to keep up with the jet (they fly around 8 miles a minute).

Turboprops and other propeller-driven airplanes are usually more manual, with greater "stick and rudder" skills required. Things happen more slowly, making it easier to stay ahead of the airplane.

So the skills are a bit different, but I would not say one is harder than the other.

Q: I've been flying for 30 years and I've seen a huge leap in aviation technology. Two questions: 1) How does the generation that is getting closer to retirement deal with the amazing amount of information now available through the flight systems? 2) Should airline pilots also spend time in a Cessna or glider to maintain their flying skills?

-- Luiz Schmidt, Miami

A: All pilots no matter their age learn the instruments and systems of their airplanes. Getting the data from navigation systems can be challenging for any pilot. My experience is that getting large amounts of information is a routine task for pilots.

Professional pilots may or may not be current on small airplanes. While I agree that maintaining manual flying skills (stick and rudder) is essential, there are substantial differences between a large transport jet and a Cessna. I would ask your question a different way: Should pilots maintain their manual flying skills? The answer is a resounding "yes!"

Q: Flying seems to be more and more managing the aircraft systems. Just how much hands-on flying takes place? On takeoffs and landings?

-- Dan McCann Columbus, Ohio

A: The balance between the skill set needed to utilize a modern airliner's automation and the manual flying skill set is a difficult one. All takeoffs and most landings are manual; how much manual flying occurs between the two varies greatly. Increasingly, operators are encouraging pilots to hand fly to keep their manual flying skills sharp.

The debate of how to maintain the critical balance between automation skills and manual flying skill will continue for the foreseeable future, as there is not a single right answer.

John Cox is a retired airline captain with US Airways and runs his own aviation safety consulting company, Safety Operating Systems.