In fact, (and this will get me a lot of nasty-grams), between the sophistication of available GPS-based information and new-generation digital flight control systems, hand-flying is pretty much becoming a lost art.

FORBES: Pilot-Optional Flight Is Closer Than You Think

Fifth-generation aircraft are invisible to radar, have advanced flight and weapons control systems and can cruise at supersonic speeds, officials say.

BBC: India to buy advanced fighter jets from Russia

And some nations, notably Brazil and Senegal, which were handling Air France Flight 447, don't yet have modern oceanic air-traffic-control systems.

WSJ: How New Air-Traffic Control Systems Operate Over Oceans