Hmm, fly by cable, fly by wire, fly by night...
I know the difference in this situaton, but isnt a cable just a big wire?

Either way, I thought that the air control surfaces (rudders, ailerons) were actuated by hydraulics. And that is what caused the crash of a plane about 10 years ago near pittsburg - the hydraulics froze or something, forcing the rudder hard to one side. Pilots would never be able to exert enough force to move the control surfaces with their feet and hands.

I would have to verify with my cousin (works at Boeing) but I think the 777 is fly by wire. Or, maybe not... but it was at least the first aircraft of its kind designed entirely on computers using CAD/CAE.