RA1

This is the most interesting political season in my life time (and I am older than dirt). The US is part way down the road to socialism and so embraces the Bern. Who will pay and how? Hillary is so establishment that she reeks of old lace, etc. Both Trump and Cruz are "outsiders" who play to the frustration of voters (and others). How this all plays out will be interesting to say the least. The good news is that I likely will not be alive 50 years from now. The bad news is that I am alive now. Best regards, RA1

Drunk and alone is a negative ANYWHERE. You can have one or the other but not BOTH. This reminds me of my favorite "shop sign" You can have it cheap, quick or well done. Choose any two. Best regards, RA1

Indeed I did enjoy the moment and never thought for a moment that my head was in the gutter. Generally, I think that genetical relatives do not enjoy or participate in sex. As always, I have been wrong before. I DO think the imagery sweet and nice. Best regards, RA1

It appears these two are related (genetically). I could be wrong, (as always). Best regards, RA1

Gee, MS Guy, if no one rode on other than Boeing interstate and international, transport would almost come to a standstill. My strong preference is US airliners and Boeing in particular. Likely you are aware that Lockheed no longer manufactures any airliners and with the exception of the C-130 (Hercules) does little for the military. Public opinion and the economics eventually sent the L-1011 to obscurity. Still, I enjoyed the benefits afforded by DL with the flights from England and the amenities offered to standby pax. Again, maybe it was the alcohol + the long journey before the ride home. I did not realize it was a slogan, never mind a trade mark. Best regards, RA1

I seldom (mainly don't) ride the airlines any more. I have never ridden in a 787 but I would if required for business. The last Boeing I rode in was a 777 from ORD to LHR. Nice flight and nice ride. From the information I have viewed the 787 uses two packs for conditioning the cabin air. Therefore the "usual" dry air from using fewer packs than optimum should generally be precluded. EVERY aircraft from general aviation, military or airliners has had "teething" problems. An "urgent" FAA directive requiring compliance within 120 days should acquire notice but not fear of flying on such. Immediate AD notes (Airworthiness Directives) should be ignored by no one, to include the operator and the flying public. Generally they require action before further flight. Over the years various aircraft used by the airlines have been in favor or have been dropped from favor. Years ago I was very happy to ride on DL L-1011 from LGW to ATL. I may have been partly influenced by the fact that this flight cut 8 hours off my travel time from England to Memphis. Also, DL served alcohol to standby pax as well as free movies. Best regards, RA1

PS. I once met VP. It was in an airport lounge, where else? I did not bring my trusty yardstick but for sure I would not have had to extend it twice. Best regards, RA1

Well, don't be a stranger. Then, they will understand. I talk to everyone and find that I learn so much more that way, even things I didn't know I wanted to know. Best regards, RA1

Hiss. What about us poor herpetologists who like snake oil? Best regards, RA1

Ja, das ist richtig mit certain exceptions. Best regards, RA1

The last thing I need to know is about annuity problems OR maybe the first. Enjoyed both submissions and I know you like that. Best regards, RA1

Anyone like to look at these lads? So far, not a one has come out as gay but we know there must be some. How can one not like it when media commenters and spectators might say, "He is long."? Best regards, RA1

Does that mean that the world is not laughing at BO for his feckless and ignorant foreign policy? I agree that the world is laughing at the US and mainly for the lack of leadership. We do not need to be the world's policeman but we cannot just let things happen, either. The Trump supporters like him for his candor, whether PC or PI and also whether it conflicts with his previous positions/pronouncements or not. They do not trust current pols and think the US needs to shake things up. Right or wrong, that I what I believe they think. Hillary should be indicted if not found guilty and put into jail. She is the establishment personified. Still, if she is elected (and pardoned), likely she will not sell the US down the river but I am not sure at what cost. If Trump takes Wisconsin, I think it likely he will get to 1237 and be the R nominee. It indeed would make for an interesting campaign if the nominees were Bernie and Donald. Best regards, RA1

Did I annoy you with my post? Regardless, good luck. Best regards, RA1

Jetman is a nutty as a fruitcake. Just a stuntman with "extra" money. Still, I have no animosity towards him, just my opinion. Best regards, RA1 Good video, but it was mostly shot from a helicopter, not from whatever the Jetman had on his person.

My standard general observation about the media is, have you ever been present when an auto accident occured and then heard or read the media report of same? Not what you saw, is it? Best regards, RA1

Surely you have noticed the media like this before. I am almost always in awe when the get it (technically) correct or otherwise. Best regards, RA1

Great report. Thanks so much. Best regards, RA1

I suppose it could depend upon how one wishes to die, from pancreatic disorders or liver disorders. Make mine booze and long live my liver. Best regards, RA1

I completely understand your comments about the doc being careless about your history. Even docs that see you fairly often (once or twice a year) have to refer to your chart to make sure of your name and history, something they do just before speaking to you. Just what they do. However, if this guy is a very good plastic surgeon, don't dismiss him quickly. I have had 6 basal cells removed in the last 2-3 years, two by a very good plastic surgeon. I would have been happy to never see the surgeon again but my body had other ideas. The other 4 were easily removed by my dermatologist. What the surgeon did was numb the area, remove what he thought the minimal amount of tissue and then while I waited, examined it to see if he needed to remove more. Fortunately he got it all on the first go. Anyway, you get the point. You may be seeing this guy again or another plastic surgeon. Best regards, RA1

It is said of being a pilot that it is hours and hours and hours of boredom followed by a few minutes of extreme excitment (as during an emergency). I train for the excitment but prefer the boredom. Best regards, RA1

Dive speed. Not a normal US term in this sense but again, a theoretical number. The quoted text is about the A320 and does not necessarily apply to any other aircraft. You might be interested in looking up the Airbus "chainsaw" which was an early aircraft used to demonstrate such as the "normal law" which through software precluded the aircraft from exceeding various parameters. Either no one knows for sure or no one is willing to admit that possibly the test pilot or demo pilot disabled part of the normal law (because the aircraft was making unusual maneuvers near the ground when the normal law would assume an imminent landing) and managed to plow through trees at the end of a runway thus earning a perhaps undeserved nickname. Many aircraft will exceed the speed of sound in level flight or the max "approved" speed, although most are not airliners. I once listened to a senior Boeing captain complain about his FO (First Officer) who left the autopilot in Mach hold during a descent. Using indicated airspeed to using indicated Mach occurs in the mid-20,000 foot range. If the TAS (True Air Speed) at altitude is say 0.80 Mach, one can easily calculate that near sea level that same air speed will be about 480 knots indicated. Just a tad over the MMO (Max operating speed) of say 325 knots indicated. Best regards, RA1

Many aircraft have exceeded Vne without harm. However, whenever this happens the pilot becomes a test pilot. Virtually everything that happens after exceeding this speed is theoretical (even though one might live to talk about one's own experience doing so). You might be interested to know that the MU-2 (Mitsubishi turbo-prop) was often flown at well over Vne in descents when cargo pilots late at night were headed for the barn (in a hurry to get home). I have heard tell of 350 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed) which is 55 knots over Vne. Various models of the Lear Jet have had what many called a "go fast" switch which interrupted the software designed to alert the pilot of over speed as well as counter act it if continued. Earlier Part 23 aircraft were certified to withstand 35 feet per second vertical gusts and later Part 23 50 feet per second. I have often thought that pilots who came to grief during an encounter with a thunderstorm did so by "giving up" and over stressing the airframe or wings at some point. However, a strong enough storm will do it regardless. Best regards, RA1

The B787 was tested to 150% of design limit which was a wing flex of 25 feet. If it ain't Boeing, I aint going. However, somewhere these is a video showing how much the 707 wing flexed to include actually "losing" engine due to same. Wing and aircraft survived regardless. Best regards, RA1

Eek does not do this travesty justice. If the North Koreans, Chinese and Russians (+ Iran) have their way, we are all doomed. Pray for peace and get under your bed. Best regards, RA1