RA1

When today's pilots are first hired, whether airline or general aviation, likely their "stick and rudder" skills are as good as they will ever be unless they take up a hobby of flying "simple or acrobatic" aircraft after hours. Two fairly recent examples of this are AF 441 and Asiana 214, both of which suffered from basic skill deficiencies. The FAA and the airlines are looking into this and will no doubt "beef up" their re-current training to include more stick and rudder. A few years ago, upsets were a big topic. Any aircraft is subject to an upset if caught in wake turbulence or other forms of atmospheric turbulent conditions. The larger the leading aircraft and/or the smaller the trailing aircraft and the closer they are to each other, the more likely an upset from wake turbulence. The 757 is one aircraft that has wake turbulence worse than its' size would indicate. Many years ago, the airlines included upset specific recovery training as part of their initial and re-current training. It seems to have worked. Off hand, I can think of only one incident in the last few years and that was the AA flight out of JFK that induced too much inappropriate rudder in dealing with wake turbulence. That did result in a fatal crash and also brought on increased training in the proper use of the rudder. Technology has brought many safety improvements to aviation as well as ease of handling routine tasks. However, we human beings need to be the master and understand the limitations as well as the benefits. It isn't pretty when HAL takes over. Best regards, RA1

I don't think she was trying to escape, only avoid being stopped, something entirely different. Who knows what demons were possessing her at the time? Shooting out the tires is TV stuff. As you suggest, it won't stop her. Airliner tires have been shot and it still took off after being hijacked. I am sure there will be an investigation and later, we should know more. Best regards, RA1

I suppose gals is a Southernism for females which most here do not find offensive, at least not as offensive as "girls". Here, "darlin'" would likely be the highest insult without cussing. The FAA is full of acronyms and abbreviations for many things and I used SW for Southwest and LGA, the identifier for LaGuardia Airport. Sorry. I am perfectly willing for anyone to show me they can fly but during such an evaluation, I prefer to also be in the cockpit until I know whether they can or not. The airlines do not permit non-employees except for the FAA and certain others to ride in the cockpit so I, like most of you, have to trust the system. That is also true when I am flying in a cloud. I have to trust the controller will keep me away from other aircraft and vice versa. Actually the best situation is to have one pilot be young with excellent reflexes and eyesight and the other more experienced, who has been there and done that. Over the last several years the airlines have come to embrace this idea although, with the seniority system, sometimes it is not possible and sometimes the roles are sort of reversed. In this case reversed roles means the Second in Command has a lot of experience on the particular model of aircraft or the route or both. Obviously, usually the Captain has more experience. What I wrote above could likely apply to anyone who was promoted for some reason other than ability. Some barely pass their check rides and take multiple attempts to do so. But, like the bottom member of the class in medical school still being called doctor, the bottom of those who do pass the check ride is still called captain. There is no way for the traveling public to differentiate, so we are back at trusting the system. Best regards, RA1

Apparently she has mental issues but instead of using a gun, she decided to use a several thousand pound car as a weapon, with a baby on board, no less. I think most folks have some kind of mental issue at one time or another so the problem is to determine if they are a danger to themselves or others beforehand instead of after the fact. Not easy and fraught with Constitution issues. Best regards, RA1

Probably few care but the captain of this flight was a gal. Gals have had a problem achieving upward mobility in aviation and have had to often be "better" than males. When they are not, they take hits. All pilots are human and can make mistakes. However, sometimes those mistakes have unfortunate consequences for the passengers, the crew and the airline. This was a fairly minor example of such. During my career I have heard many complaints about female pilots working their way upwards. Sometimes they are promoted with not as much merit to deserve that promotion. The US Navy pushed very hard to qualify a female pilot for carrier landings in fighter aircraft. She was obviously not ready and crashed into the stern of a carrier and killed herself. The radio communications just before the crash definitely indicated she had panicked. Some FEDEX pilots I know and other airlines pilots have made complaints about female pilots and their aptitude and experience. I have personally heard remarks from female pilots that made me think I would not be a passenger in any aircraft they were flying. That also likely would be true of several male pilots I have known. Like many in several professions, I have some negative feelings about the perseverance of new pilots and their attention to details as well as the requirements to succeed. Too much attention to the bottom line and not enough to being professional. There is no doubt that gals are different and have different needs to succeed in aviation. Some of those needs are not presently being supplied or so I think. Best regards, RA1

I thought Yellowstone closed for the winter by now but I see it is still open and, in fact. has winter activities. All a big change from when I went there as a kid. I don't know about the Oz who can afford to travel to the US for a vacation but all the working people I know in that part of the world complain about their taxes. I suppose everyone does. However, somehow I don't quite get the dichotomy about bragging about their medical care and then complaining about the lack of facilities and how long it takes to see a doctor. Why is it we have closed the things folks like about the US government and many we don't are still open? Is spying on us "essential"? Best regards, RA1

Probably the same proportion of the rest of the world knows about the US political and economic problems as those in the US, at least among those who have ready access to the so called main stream media. In other words, not many and not nearly enough. Best regards, RA1

Wrong thread.

Very cool and certainly appropriate for OCT. Best regards, RA1

Personally I enjoyed Tom Clancy's books but it would be surprising if I did not considering my background, would it not? Like everyone else, I agreed with some of his politics and not with other aspects. There are a lot of German heritage folks in the US and one thing that I agree with about Germans is their interest in investigating things to the nth degree. TC certainly did this and, no doubt, satisfied a lot of similar minded readers. As someone familiar with aviation, I sometimes found errors in what TC wrote but I don't think I have ever read a book without errors. Movies seem to take the greatest "liberties" in this regard which is one reason I seldom go to the movies. Great acting is great acting but I can see that with just any escort. Being technically correct is VERY difficult and very seldom even approached. Best regards, RA1

I suppose drinking too much alcohol can lead to not only the need to visit a hepatologist but also could bring on visions of snakes during a "serious" hangover. Regardless, there is no doubt many of us need to give our livers a vacation. Many, many years ago, I was advised by a medico that one could abuse one's liver to a fare thee well during any given week-end and all would very likely be OK if one gave it a rest throughout the succeeding week. The liver has an amazing capacity to regenerate or rejuvenate itself but only up to a point. That sounded like very good advice for a college student or any average worker who could work hard during the week and play hard during the week-end but as one gets older and social events crowd one's schedule, it becomes more difficult advice to follow. No pointing of fingers, simply stating some information. Best regards, RA1

As has oft been said, there is no free lunch. Yes, it would be nice to have more posters who have something to say (or not) and certainly escorts would be welcome to put their two cents into the mix, but it seems we have largely avoided contentious acrimony herein and that, in particular, seems to be attractive to some on other sites. That does not mean we have to be milquetoasts but perhaps only a little more civil than some others seem to be. OTOH, I find it pretty remarkable that a group such as this with only one for sure known interest seem to find quite a few things to post about which turn out to be interesting to others. Few posts will have large interest to everyone but there seems to be something for almost everyone. Best regards, RA1

If you take money you are a pro. Whether you act professionally is another question. Best regards, RA1

Glad you are physically OK. You need to hire a hunky bodyguard regardless of whether you venture into any such places again. Best regards, RA1

Twentyninepalms and other active military areas are certainly nearby PSP. And, I have to admit, that military aircraft make more noise than civilian aircraft with similar speed and payload capabilities make. Naturally, "real" warplanes, not transports or trainers, make a LOT more noise. There is just no way to get the performance from quiet aircraft. Even some stealth aircraft make a good deal of noise partly because the primary definition of stealth is reduced signature on radar returns. As the movie Firefox suggested, the Russians were on the right track when they had noise sensors to track incoming enemy aircraft. Best regards, RA1

OK, your jaw dropped, but did anything rise? Best regards, RA1

I miss everyone but OTOH I don't mind being rubbed. Best regards, RA1

Cute, although I admit I watched it without sound. Not because of any irritation with DW's voice but simply because my desktop speakers are on the fritz. Would it interest you to know that many, if not most, pilots I know are acrophobic? That is one reason we feel that it is silly to leave a perfectly good airplane and jump out aka parachuting. Best regards, RA1

If there is a shortage of junk food in PSP, that could be the reason. Best regards, RA1

I don't really consider this a political issue although some no doubt will. Friday I was in AVL aka Asheville, NC, a resort town with resort prices. While there and waiting upon my passengers to arrive for the flight back to MEM, several military aircraft arrived. The topic of the day was 12 Bones, a local BBQ joint in the sense of a beer joint. In other words, it was a hole in the wall but had good and cheap food. I did not go there, partly because I don't waste my time on NC BBQ when MEM is the BBQ capital of the world. However, I was surprised by the number of military folks who arrived just to have lunch. Reputedly BO has ordered out from this place. Friday, a jet trainer from Meridian, MS arrived with two Marines on board. Also, a Gulfstream with Air Force folks on board. Plus, an Apache helicopter with Army folks on board. All were going to 12 Bones for lunch. The General Aviation community has a saying called the $100 hamburger, which means getting together with some of your fellow pilots for some training and local flying which results in a lunch somewhere nearby. The cost of the aircraft + the lunch can or might exceed $100. I have to suggest that these military flights resulted in a $10,000 rib lunch. Now, I have no real problem with the military taking training flights to places that are fun. I have no doubt these folks accomplished serious training. So long as the commanders of the appropriate commands are aware and take notice of such, I am in complete agreement. However, tax dollars were spent and I am hopeful that they are completely accounted for. Best regards, RA1

LOL. Best regards, RA1

If one goes to BOS without a visa, one might be in trouble. However, AS is a former resident so one would have to expect prior privileges. Otherwise, let us know how you are doing. Best regards, RA1

What you described has become the "room service" that is actually available at many less than full service hotels, which, unfortunately, is now almost all of them. The "menu" seemingly offers a plethora of food from many different sources. The reality is the same as just walking down an unfamiliar street and picking a restaurant from their outside advertising. In other words, pot luck. Best regards, RA1

And, all this time I thought hashtag was a German day to eat left overs. Live and learn. Best regards, RA1

Personally, I always thought it was because of taxation, especially taxation without representation. Best regards, RA1