JohnMitchell

That's how that Eastern L-1011 went down in the everglades. Three man cockpit and no one heard the autopilot horn when they kicked it off by mistake.

Thanks for the great example of automation confusion.

How about "It was nice to meet you. Would you like to go out sometime?" That's about the only line I ever knew. It got me Vskydiver.

The industry term I've read is "automation confusion". Sure, the pilots did something the computer didn't want and lost the argument. My position is that planes should be simple to fly, not complex. The computer systems on the Airbus aircraft are like very unsafe crew members: they operate very autonomously and are uncommunicative. That is something to be avoided on the flight deck (or air traffic control room, for that matter.) On a Boeing aircraft, when on autopilot, the yoke and trim wheels still move as the autopilot does its job. The pilots can tell what's going on just by watching the movements. When they take the controls manually, they have feedback in the form of "feel" of control pressures. In the Airbus, trim and control surface movements go unnoticed on autopilot. When the pilots start flying the aircraft, the only feedback is the spring load in the joystick, exactly like a video game. The two sticks move independently, so the pilots can make contradictory inputs. I believe from there the computer either ignores one stick or uses an averaging algorithm, possibly depending on the mode. Would you like a parachute system that, if you had a canopy collision at 1000', would say "NO, you're in the landing mode. You are not allowed to cutaway and pull your reserve!"? When the shit hits the fan, I don't want to be scanning the screen for software prompts.

OMG, I hope they never make a Bariatric tandem harness. . . .

I hadn't heard of that one 'til now but I've seen to many other very scary incidents. If that system is so great, shouldn't we have computers flying our parachutes?

Hell yeah! That was the pilots' fault, not the plane. The plane held together and everybody lived. That's a good landing. A great landing is when you can use the plane again. Here's what happens when you let computers control the plane. Warning: it's not pretty. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEH7OpnA-I4

Damn, I had a similar story a few years back. I sold some stock but didn't report the cost basis and a few other things (thought the IRS had that info). I got one of THOSE letters in the mail, an IRS bill for about $15K. It took me about a year to refute most of it. I was actually a month short of my court date for the last part of it when I got the "you're correct" letter. Whew! And yes, I also got an extra $500 or so back that I didn't catch. Next year I hired an accountant.

Airbus. Sorry, but I don't like those planes. Gimme Boeing.

Screw this tacky thing to the side of that gorgeous rocker. http://outdoor-store.amazonwebstore.com/OUTERS-SAIL-BUOY-STEEL/M/B000ZLZOJG.htm

I'm reading thru it. It's definitely oriented towards the ladies. But hey, we got our porn. They certainly deserve to have theirs served up any way they like. I'm glad to see women enjoying this series and not being shy to admit it. Basic knot tying lessons, anyone?

Super nice work. I'm very impressed. What's the price tag? Critically? Well, the design flows beautifully, but are the arms comfortable to rest your arms on, or should they be higher with a flat area?

Some of the stores I shop in have signs saying "no shucking", I don't anyway because I usually cook it in the husk and we compost that stuff anyway. She reminds me of my anonymous coworkers who share their empty candy wrappers and banana peels in the break rooms and offices. Mighty damn considerate of them.

We've got that movie and had that cassette. Vskydiver's theme song was "Cause I'm Blonde".

Me-me-me... No evidence of front-mounted in a DC3, but I've attached evidence of a Twin Beech. What's a pretty girl like you doing with all them dirty hippies?

Well, I voted "her" but after reading your later post about insurance, maybe "yours" would be okay.

I got a couple of cheapos sitting on the dresser. I never seem to wear one anymore. You always have your cell phone to check the time. The only time I feel I need one is when I travel by airliner or visit foreign countries. I believe manufacturers and retailers have noticed that trend.

With all those front mount containers full of flags that looked really old school! Raise your hand if you've jumped a front mount reserve from a DC-3.

You obviously jump with a better group than I do. The base says "Ready, Set, Go" and then we start the blender . . .

Too bad you couldn't figure out who it was. They screwed up and could use a little coaching-and-counseling, as we call it in the FAA. Very true about lessons learned. As you track, don't stare at the horizon. No one has ever hit the horizon. Look mostly down and in front, where you're going, to look for hazards below. With a little practice you'll be amazed at how your awareness will expand.

Nope. When a lot of us made our first jumps. the instructor had a reserve strapped on the front, not a passenger. I think over all it's been a good thing, letting a lot of people experience our sport that otherwise couldn't or wouldn't. I've enjoyed the hell out of taking my passengers up for what is one of the most amazing experiences in their lives. Few people get to be party to as many special moments as that. On the down side, making a tandem jump has become less about starting skydiving and more about extreme-sportz/bucket-list kind of thing.

Didn't even finish it. No stomach for celebrity train wrecks anymore. Good to see ya.

I'm surprised you, or someone else, didn't add, "and leave your bra off while you're at it". You guys are slacking! Hey, I'm the polite happily married guy!

Take off your t-shirt, soak it in cool water in the sink and then put it back on. (I was packing for me and Vskydiver in Thailand. That's how I survived.) Of course wear light shorts, seek shade and drink lots of water.

Your jumpsuit would then look like Monica Lewinski's blue dress! Plus I'd need a nap after 3-4 jumps . . .