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Originally Posted by Titan
So, just curious but can all modern planes be flown manually? Or do they need to have some computer assistance? I am thinking of the recent problems with the 737 Max in particular. Could the pilots just turn off the computers and fly the plane? Thanks.
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Yes Indeed.
It it is common for many pilots to hand fly their aircraft in certain situations. In busy air traffic corridors where you are frequently being vectored and moved up or down by ATC you typically rely on automation. Many companies also have requirements within their SOP's that mandate the use of automation by the flight crew in many situations.
The 2013 Asiana Flight 214 crash in SFO is a great study of what happens when an experienced air crew become so reliant on cockpit automation that they could not hand fly a fairly basic visual approach when the ILS was down on RWY 28L.