JHanson said:
When I tested all those deflators I of course checked them for accuracy, and do so now and then on the ones I carry every day. All the current ones are consistent within a pound in the 15 PSI range, which is insignificant. I've never had one accidentally completely deflate a tire.
The ramifications of a failure in an aircraft's automatic systems are definitely more dire than a flat tire!
Sorry for the delayed response...
I guess I didn't do a very good job conveying my thought regarding automation.
IMO, automation is just a way to make man's daily life easier. Nothing pertaining to the failure of automation (equipment) should lead to dire circumstances if one is properly trained and equipped.. And IMO, THAT is the key regarding the use of automation, regardless of the widget.
Regarding my comments about autopilots, we do not even need a single autopilot to be operative to dispatch an airliner full of people unless flying to a destination with greatly reduced visibility (less than 1/2 mile). Yes, autopilots make life much easier for the pilot. At the end of the day, a Boeing 777 is piloted just like a Cessna 150. Piloting skills are the same. Automation reduces pilot work load and makes cockpit tasks a bit easier to manage. Failure of automation should NEVER lead to dire circumstances. Such would indicate a greater, more systematic problem, usually poorly trained pilots (sadly, Asiana 214 (even though cultural influences taken into the cockpit by the crew will likely be a key contributor in this accident)).
I started out on the Boeing 727. Perhaps the most manual of all jet airliners (like its big brother the 707). The only automation on these airplanes was a single autopilot. And not a very good one for that matter when the models were initially released for commercial air travel.
Today, the Boeing 777/787 are loaded with automated systems, all simply to reduce pilot work load and aide a properly trained pilot to manage the multitude of systems installed on the aircraft. And that is the essence of modern automation in the modern aviation. Airline Transport Pilots have become managers of extremely complex automated system(s). Yet, the loss of any or all such automated systems merely downgrades the aircraft closer to the Boeing 727 invoking sound piloting skills. Nothing dire if properly trained.
Same can be said for auto deflators. As Jonathan mentioned, he eats lunch while sitting along side the trail awaiting the auto deflators to work their magic. I simply choose to perform the task sans automation.
Automation can be a love/hate relationship on modern trucks, look at electric windows! Great to raise/lower passenger window on the Super Duty. Don't need one on the driver side, but its there. But, more importantly, a $5 relay is prone to fail on the pre-2006s leading to windows stuck in their last position with no hope of movement until the relay is replaced! Nothing dire here, just simple failure of automation that can be of a huge inconvenience. And try getting a US made truck today without electric windows! I think you have to order the truck and it is a up-charge for hand crank windows, if even an option!
My point, I simply wish
I had the option of choosing the automation and not having it chosen for me.
As I mentioned in my earlier post, 99.999% of all pilots flying the Boeing 777/787 hand fly the airplane on approach and landing. Why? We are pilots, not, system managers. There is nothing more enjoyable than hand flying an airplane, any airplane.
Likewise, I'm an old school wrench. I simply prefer doing things the old fashion way, with my hands. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with using automatic tire deflators for those who choose to eat lunch while their tires deflate! I know Jonathan is, but, be skilled and prepared to fix the results of automation gone wrong.
The beauty is...we both have our choices!
As for air compressors, deflators or inflators, cheap/inexpensive accessories are usually that, CHEAP and INEXPENSIVE. While they may work OK today, will they perform for you tomorrow? While I may drive an old truck, I am not usually the one on the side of trail flagging down help, but, rather the one stopping and digging out my kit to help others. Buy, once and be done and be that guy who is known to stop and help others all the time!
Nothing more enjoyable than refusing money for helping a stranger, but, accepting that cold beer after you have them up and running.