Airbus, solar flares and the risk posed by fly-by-wire autopilot systems

As aircraft become more computerised - and even pilotless - they’re also more vulnerable to space events like the giant solar flare that put an Airbus into an ‘uncommanded’ dive and grounded thousands of flights.

As aircraft become more computerised - and even pilotless - they’re also more vulnerable to space events like the giant solar flare that put an Airbus into an ‘uncommanded’ dive and grounded thousands of flights. So should we praise Airbus for acting quickly, or rethink the risk of autopilot systems?  

Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app.

This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. 

As aircraft become more computerised - and even pilotless - they&rsquo;re also more vulnerable to space events like the giant solar flare that put an Airbus into an &lsquo;uncommanded&rsquo; dive and grounded thousands of flights. So should we praise Airbus for acting quickly, or rethink the risk of autopilot systems?&nbsp;&nbsp;
Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the<a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/"> website</a> or on The Australian&rsquo;s app.
This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.&nbsp;

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia's national broadsheet to audio, featuring behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms.

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia’s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day’s essential page one stories, journalists’ candid take on the issues that matter and behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms. 

To find out more about The Front you can link here and for more from the newsroom at The Australian link here or search for The Australian in your app store.

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia&rsquo;s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day&rsquo;s essential page one stories, journalists&rsquo; candid take on the issues that matter and behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms.&nbsp;
To find out more about The Front you can link <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/the-front/podcast/7e7d42e8c77b597cf8532d2e0c847e10">here</a> and for more from the newsroom at The Australian link <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/">here</a> or search for The Australian in your app store.

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia’s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day’s essential page one stories.

The Front

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia’s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day’s essential page one stories, journalists’ candid take on the issues that matter and behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms.

To find out more about The Front you can link here and for more from the newsroom at The Australian link here or search for The Australian in your app store.

The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia&rsquo;s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day&rsquo;s essential page one stories, journalists&rsquo; candid take on the issues that matter and behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms.
To find out more about The Front you can link <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/the-front/podcast/7e7d42e8c77b597cf8532d2e0c847e10">here</a> and for more from the newsroom at The Australian link <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/">here</a> or search for The Australian in your app store.

The sun erupted. A plane suddenly fell. Should we worry? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/dd978e7a-3ab6-4cb9-8ed8-b3a5009b6065/transcript

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