Sir - The absence from the cockpit of the flight engineer has once more been placed in question by the story "Airbus fits switch guards after A340 hydraulic incident" (Flight International, 12-18 February, P16). This incident took place in a reputable aircraft, belonging to a reputable airline, with an all-pilot crew.
No doubt modern aircraft are sufficiently automated to be operated safely most of the time with the minimum number of qualified crew. Nevertheless, ever-increasing complexity requires much engineering attention on the ground.
When airborne, however, how foolproof is a row of four hydraulic pump switches, guarded or otherwise? The user should sample the effect of operating each switch and modify action accordingly, as any flight engineer would.
The incorrect crew action to correct the fuel imbalance did not simply expose a possible faulty design arrangement of system switches. It also appears to indicate a disadvantage in not including in the crew a dedicated person qualified to manage the systems and associated matters.
We can do without a flight engineer, or even maintenance or safety equipment for a while - until they're needed.
ALAN MASON
Red Beach, Auckland
New Zealand
Source: Flight International
