sundevil777

I thought it was the National Enquirer that broke the stain on the dress story. Yes, Clinton did get a BJ from an intern (like a teacher/student relationship, or congressman/page relationship - usually that is not considered acceptable). He also had credible evidence accusing him of being a rapist, sexual imposition & harassment, making advances to a woman on the day of her husband's death, having the Arkansas state police help him cheat on his wife... People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Nobody lives here by that name, you must have the wrong number. I didn't listen to Rush today, but he likely did talk about it, it is a fine example of the lies and hypocrisy of the Dem leadership. The Dems supposed concern for the minor pages is simply false. They wanted to use the issue at the most politically advantageous time. Can you admit that? People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Wow, I hadn't heard of that incident. The pilots actually need to reach out to push a button on the glareshield (dashboard) in order to change which sidestick controller is operating. Both Boeing and Airbus fly by wire planes have a switch on the overhead panel that changes the flight controls to a "direct mode". That means that a simpler and completely independent set of computers are used to interpret the commands of the pilot and turn it into a resulting flight control surface movements. I've previously described my objections to the Airbus pilot interface/design philosophy. I'll repeat them here... The following applies to all of their fly-by-wire planes A320/A330/A340/A380 series. These are things that I think are a bad idea for a commercial airliner: 1) The sidestick controllers They give no feedback when the autopilot is flying - no movement. I think that seeing the control column/wheel move is a great way for the pilot to know what the autopilot is trying to do. There is also no force feedback as you try to make the plane do more severe maneuvers. When a pilot moves from right to left seat, they have to 'train' their other arm/hand to use the sidestick controller (it is on the outboard side). I think this is inherently a bad idea, for a commercial airliner. The sidestick controllers are not linked, so when one pilot is flying, the other stick does not move. So what happens if both are trying to fly? There is software logic that decides this, and it is indicated which side is in control with an indicator light, and the pilots can override/take command on their side with the push of a switch. The thought of the logic not working and the pilots pushing buttons to take command is not comforting to me. 2) The autothrottle They do not move in the normal mode, meaning that as the autopilot adjusts power, the handles stay in one position. You can see by instruments what it is trying to do, but not by movement of the big handles. In the normal mode, it is just a big rotary switch. Again, I think seeing the throttles move is a great way for the pilot to know what the autopilot/autothrottle system is trying to do. 3) Envelope protection/limiting (fancy term for the computer doesn't let you do stupid maneuvers or overstress the plane) I don't think it is a good idea to have the fly-by-wire system prevent the pilot from putting too much stress on the plane. We are talking about a airliner, not a fighter. The pilots will never overstress it just for practice. If they need to go beyond the design structural limits to try to get out of a dive, for instance, then I say they should be allowed to try. Airbus was so confident of their 'envelope protection' that it caused a crash of an A330 many years ago. An airline CEO and top pilot were being treated to a demonstration flight. Airbus decided to impress them with how the plane could not be made to stall, so they planned to take off very aggressively and immediately idle one engine and turn off one of the hydraulic systems. However the flight control engineers had never figured on such an aggressive, very high pitch rate climb being combined with the other 'failures', and the plane could not stop the stall. They ran out of altitude. The investigation found fault in how the Airbus pilots decided to create their own scenario during the pre flight briefing that would impress the customer, completely confident that the plane could not be stalled (as they had been claiming). This incident received much less attention than the crash of the A320 at the Paris air show because no normal passengers were on board. The Boeing fly by wire system on the 777 still uses a traditional control column/wheel. There are some distinct advantages to the sidesticks, such as reduced weight, and much more room in front of the pilot for a worktable to use maps/manuals/etc, It was tempting, however Boeing decided that it was a bad tradeoff overall. Boeing also decided that strict envelope protection was a bad idea, and that increasing force feedback (it is 'artificial') was a better way of preventing pilots from doing stupid things while not limiting their ability to fly the plane how they see fit. Both Boeing and Airbus have a switch on the overhead console that puts them into a 'direct' mode that cuts out the complex flight control logic and uses separate/simpler software that results in a less 'refined' feeling for the pilot. This requires time to activate it, and I would rather the pilots have complete control to try what they want without having to look up and back to activate a switch first. It probably will not surprise you to learn that I used to be an engineer for Boeing in their flight deck group during the development of the 777, hence the 777 in my username. Of couse Boeing has had problems, such as 737 rudder reversals, 747 cargo door latches, and uncommanded 767 thrust reversals. However, I think their choice on the column over the sidestick controller, and the flight control logic are examples of interesting, and important points of discussion. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Quite right! The Dem leadership's claim that they were concerned about the kids was pure bullshit. They were concerned about using it at the time that would be best for them politically. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

I um... well... see... um... huh??? Cats often like to lick wet hair, perhaps that is the comparison, although I've never heard of dogs having a similar fetish. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

I'd like to know what it was that made the policy so important for the particular pope that started it, wasn't it about 400-500 years ago? My catholic friends put a lot of importance on this tradition. They haven't been able to express why it is important to them, at least not in a way that makes sense to me. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

What is so special about the Chrysler hemis? Most engines are now hemis. Back when it came out, the hemi was quite distinct from the wedge combustion chamber shapes. The hemis could have larger valves and better airflow. With most modern engines being 4 valves per cylinder, they are all hemis, but with a shallow dome instead of the very high dome (that caused a lot of pinging) of the old hemi design. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

They don't do as well as vehicles that are lower to the ground, but some of them are much, much better handling than the typical SUV. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

The X5 handles like shit compared to an Acura MDX. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

I agree with Kallend; currently the costs are not properly allocated. For example, national and regional demand for oil is increased unnecessarily by those who drive large SUVs when smaller, more fuel efficient cars would work fine. That increased demand raises everyone's fuel costs, not just the costs of the SUV owners. That's not proper cost allocation. What would be a small enough/fuel efficient enough car? Perhaps small cars that have powerful engines should also be penalized. Luxury cars with powerful engines should especially be punished, right? Even if they aren't evil SUVs, they have wasteful engines that make much more power than needed, and their luxury features are expensive, so their owners can afford to pay more in penalties, right? People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

I have no sympathy for the kid at all. The school was still responsible for them at the time. He was ordered to take it down. He refused, thereby giving up his chance to have his fun and get away with it without punishment. It is already well established that children in school don't have the same free speech rights as they would in other settings. This is not a case of censorship. Do you really think the school should have done nothing? People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Skydiving is necessary? Or is your outrage limited to soccer moms? Am I the only person here that finds the hypocritical irony of a skydiver complaining about SUVs wasting fuel? Quite right! Some SUVs are quite small and get relatively good mileage for the bad aerodynamics they have. I think there is a lot to criticize in vehicles that get lousy mileage, but the SUV is usually singled out, and that doesn't make sense. So let's pick on all vehicles that guzzle gas, not just the SUV. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Yes, but I don't think they ever made a 190 5 cell, I thought it only came in one size, and that was a 176. I'm sure someone will be able to confirm that. To reinhart36: The rig is basically worth nothing. It should be given away. Sorry to tell you that, but the main probably should not be jumped, the reserve should definitely not be jumped, and the container needs modifications before jumping. if you buy it, don't pay very much more than nothing for it. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Wow, that is an incredibly incomplete summary! People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

I know of 3 mainstream 2nd/ 3rd generations AAD's. (not counting the Mars as mainstream). 1) Argus mandatory field checks. 2) Cypres Mandatory factory checks. 3) Vigil, optional factory checks. Which AAD doesn't have calibration checks, outside the self test? The mandatory field check for the argus is no more than what an FXC would get, correct? As I said in my earlier post, that is not even close to confirming that it meets the original performance specifications. The Vigil's checks are optional. Last time I looked at their website, they gave no indication of how detailed/extensive their check would be. I think it is fair to assume that it is an FXC type of test, no environmental testing, and no precise testing to confirm that the unit fires/no fires at the margins of the performance parameters (one test done in a chamber with crude measurment devices doesn't confirm all performance specifications). Of course I could be wrong, do you have some info to indicate how the optional Vigil check is accomplished? People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Or you could assume that the cypres doesn't have a valid self test... If you assume this much, you can also assume the unit failed at the 8 years check, so it was unsafe to jump the previous months and it's self check didn't notice... All assumptions, all BS.... What is definitely BS is that some people now think that the lack of checks for some AADs is a good thing. I think it is absolutely impossible for ANY power-up self test procedure to detect problems with an electronic device that would only occur when that device is subjected to environmental extremes. I think that is true whether it is a Cypres, Vigil, Argus or whatever. I think the self test cannot determine the ability of the unit to accurately measure altitude. The unit can certainly determine that different aspects of the electronics are alive and able to respond to input, but it cannot replicate an environmental or altitude chamber. The important point is that we should acknowledge that the self check is not enough, and that it is wise to have scheduled calibrations to increase the reliability and accuracy of them. A crude altitude chamber of the sort used to test FXCs does not even come close to replicating the ability for the factory to precisely check compliance with all of the original specifications, and does not at all adress performance at environmental extremes. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

It is definitely worth $65. Some may try to tell you that groups separation is not important, that each group can just leave in a never stopping single file line because the exit speed is so fast. Don't believe it. 2 jumpers were quite close by at opening. The exit speed didn't seem such a big deal. It was fun to get some pics on the plane during the ride, since it still has all the normal airliner stuff. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

You will never HAVE to downsize below a 170. If you do it, it will be because you WANT to downsize. Then why would you want to downsize? What wing loading are you thinking is right before your canopy "progression" stops? People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Quite right! Their tracking system is a very basic (no extra/useless bling) type of communication. It was very nice to have confirmation of delivery, anticipated completion and return shipping dates. They took exactly 2 weeks to process my unit at SSK (exactly what their website says is normal), and that was in March. If wonder if the German facility is as good at meeting the needs of that 'sphere? People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Something else to consider is that your unit did not have any problems, it ran through its self check OK, right? Assuming the extra time required is because the unit failed the testing at the factory, that tells me the extensive testing done during the 4/8 year checks is extremely valuable. I don't think it is possible for any self test to uncover problems that only occur when tested at the environmental extremes (temp/vibration). It is easy to think that you'd be better off (certainly less inconvenience) with a unit that doesn't need the factory checks, but that would also mean you're likely to be jumping a unit that isn't what it should be. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

I can see your point, but I hope your exhagerating a bit? Can you say, "Pilot Chute in Tow" [sarcasm] ... y'all know what... we could go back to cones, and spring loaded main pilot chutes and rip cords... now that would be more "free fly friendly"... wouldn't it... ??? [/sarcasm] I can say it, but it isn't relevant. That flap can stay tucked, and the rig will still open when the pin is pulled. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

The guy introducing the recording sounds like Harry Schearer, the comedian/writer/actor. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

It also takes a lot of cost, long hours and hard work to be a gear dealer, or manufacturer, for instance. Despite that, we expect good customer service, so that if something goes wrong, a dealer or mfg makes a mistake, we expect them to fix it, without additional cost. I think it would be very short sided for a DZO to "think you're a dick". If they want to put out a call for contributions to the 'fix the engine' fund, then let them do it directly. I think that if they are so short on money, they are probably cutting corners on maintenance. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Go back and reread my post. I stated that the DZ either breaks even of makes up to $5 per fun jumper. So if the DZ was run like a traditional business the lift ticket prices would be about $60. So, please go back and reread my post fully if you'd like to discuss it. I've read your post, fully, and reread it. It doesn't make sense. Traditional businesses don't operate on that much %profit (you said they make maybe a $5 profit at regular jump ticket prices, but if run like a traditional business it should be $60). The scenario that the original poster has now fully described, where you only go to 9K, and are able to get out over the DZ, is a case where I think the jump should be discounted, but not fully refunded. If the DZ was operated as a club, then I would expect pressure from the club members to not expect a refund, but not if it is a business. People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

Quite right! This is a very different situation than going up when clouds may limit the altitude (you know that your altitude may be limited, and agreed to go anyway). People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am