Malaysian Airways Flight 370

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

May I pick your brain again please?

Do you mind if I add my two bob's worth in reply? And I am certainly no expert but do have a background in avionics engineering....

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Ok, autopilot is in control of the plain. Is it just like cruise control where the plane flies in a straight line or can it be programmed to do a bunch of turns this way and that?

Depends on the autopilot system, but most modern planes (and I would assume this would include the B777) would be able to have 'waypoints' programmed into the autopilot system.

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

My question is in regards to the gaining of altitude to 45k. If the plane was set to fly 'straight' as it goes further forward it will be gaining altitude as the curvature of the Earth comes into play.

Could this be a possibility? Or is a gradual decline of a few seconds factored into the forward movement of the plane so that it flies parallel to the surface automatically???

nstg8a was right, gravity takes care of the altitude issue. Just the same as your car does not increase altitude along a straight stretch of road due to the earth's curvature.

Also a pilot is still able to change heading and pitch (attitude) even with the autopliot engaged by use of the 'bug' on the Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) which would be built into the B777's Electronic Flight Instrumentation System (EFIS).

Hope that helps.

Craig H