The Challenge of the Supersonic Era: An American airline pilot's assessment of some of the problems that face the pilot of the supersonic transport

IN the coming age of supersonic transportation, factors of economic success and indeed public acceptance will depend directly upon how well the pilot performs his tasks. As the ultimate operator, the airline pilot views the advent of the SST with optimism. Indeed, to control the airliners of tomorrow, shaped like smooth slim rapiers, yet carrying within them machinery representing the limits of man's technical knowledge—to guide these magnificent creations at over twice the speed of sound, to look out from over thirteen miles above the earth, to be a part of their contribution to commerce and men's affairs—this would boggle even the imagination of Tennyson! But it won't be all poetry and glamour. The airline pilot has many definite concerns, high among these being his working environment and the instrumentation and systems at his disposal for the efficient and safe management of his craft.