Fly-by-wire (FBW) is a system that replaces the conventional manual flight controls of an aircraft with an electronic interface. The movements of flight controls are converted to electronic signals transmitted by wires (hence the fly-by-wire term), and flight control computers determine how to move the actuators at each control surface to provide the ordered response. The fly-by-wire system also allows automatic signals sent by the aircraft's computers to perform functions without the pilot's input, as in systems that automatically help stabilize the aircraft, or prevent unsafe operation of the aircraft outside of its performance envelope.
Mechanical and hydro-mechanical flight control systems are relatively heavy and require careful routing of flight control cables through the aircraft by systems of pulleys, cranks, tension cables and hydraulic pipes. Both systems often require redundant backup to deal with failures, which increases weight. Both have limited ability to compensate for changing aerodynamic conditions. Dangerous characteristics such as stalling, spinning and pilot-induced oscillation (PIO), which depend mainly on the stability and structure of the aircraft concerned rather than the control system itself, can still occur with these systems.
Fly by Wire: The Geese, the Glide, the Miracle on the Hudson is a book written in 2009 by William Langewiesche about US Airways Flight 1549 with emphasis on the role played by the advanced fly-by-wire flight control system of the aircraft.
The following is an excerpt:
Langewiesche does not, however, state how the environment around Runway 13 at LaGuardia is surrounded by water similar to the Hudson River. Nor does this assessment by Langewiesche, an experienced pilot, address the option of gliding into Teterboro airport on the west side of the Hudson and how a 30-second delay before pilot reaction actually brings the trajectory closer to Teterboro.
Langewiesche, William (2009). Fly by Wire: The Geese, the Glide, the Miracle on the Hudson. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0-374-15718-9.
So do you really wanna be the way we used to go
But do you really really really wanna be the one who told you so?
(Pre-)
This could have been like the end of times
All the night waiting to extend
We creep in a place but I try not to relax
Stop, go
Talkin what and we tell as we go
But would you please keep your lips
We voted young presidents
I'm set for the sevenfold
Discussions with the Russians, laughs all night
We vote the young presidents
Say we could play it cinnamon girl, we could play it slow
But all I really really really really really want is to let her go
Tell me where you've been... boy
Now tell me where you've been
(Pre-)
This could have been like the end of times
All the night waiting to extend
We creep in a place but I try not to relax
Stop, go
Talkin what and we tell as we go
But would you please keep your lips
We voted young presidents
I'm set for the sevenfold
Discussions with the Russians, laughs all night
We vote the young presidents
Stop, go