craichead

Gotta give those Canadians some credit for having big dreams. Could you imagine if jet planes actually had parachutes? "I'm sorry, this 747 jet can't be flown today because it's due for a repack!" _Pm Patent Issued for Breakable Plane Wed Mar 3, 8:31 AM ET By Chris Mallinos TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada has issued a patent for a futuristic commercial jet design that would protect passengers in an emergency by breaking apart and letting the sections parachute gently to the ground. But industry experts said on Tuesday that the scheme -- which sounds like something out of a James Bond movie -- had little chance of success. A parachute-equipped plane would be too heavy and would cost too much. "For a big airliner, it's just not feasible," said David Greatrix, associate professor of aerospace engineering at Ryerson University in Toronto. "It's just such a wacky idea. If you talk to anyone in the aerospace industry, you'd see that this is pretty far fetched." The proposal, which received a patent last month, calls for aircraft to be built in separate parts, then sealed together. In an emergency -- anything from mechanical failure to a missile attack -- the pilot could push a button to sever the parts with controlled explosions or by using a "laser cutting" device. Each section would be equipped with parachutes, shock absorbers, inflatable rafts, and propulsion jets that would guide it to the ground, the patent said. The Toronto-based inventor, Chui Wen Chiu, could not be reached for comment. Greatrix said the added weight of parachutes, shock absorbers and propulsion jets would be too much for a commercial jet, and the planes would be able to carry only a few passengers. "It would never get certified in the near future based on current technology," he said. "It's just too complex." Greatrix added that the majority of airline crashes occur on takeoff or landing, when the plane is too close to the ground for parachutes to work. James DeLaurier, who teaches aircraft design at the University of Toronto, said his initial reaction to reading the patent was "holy cow." "This would be a maintenance nightmare," he said. "How could you make sure that all these systems are ready to go? The consequences of them not working, or working prematurely, would be dreadful." But DeLaurier added that the unfeasibility of this design should not deter others from trying to make planes safer. "I do have respect for (Chiu's) intentions," he said. __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

While I don't think the survey was complete horseshit (it has some interesting points worth considering, especially for those who are keen on downsizing quickly), I liken it to a pop-psychology Cosmo quiz for skydivers. USPA could've been much more calculated and "scientific" in constructing this questionnaire. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

So, uh...what constitutes a "dock"? _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Yah, my gets a proper spanking nearly every day! My Hubby, that is. I personally don't have a "monkey" to "spank." _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

AndyMan and I have been married for a mere four months (dating for one year before that), and I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life with anybody else. We've had our share of nasty fights, but overall, he makes me deliriously happy because he's everything I've ever wanted.

No, I haven't taken up an interest in either lacrosse or golf, and I don't really go out without AndyMan that much (we're practically inseparable, and it's disgusting ). I do, however, think that a country that allows gay marriage has a type of sensibility that is lacking in America. Canada doesn't seem to have its head up its ass as much as America does. I guess they're too busy having other things up their asses! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

A lot of people on here are bitingly sarcastic, and you really do have to grow a thicker skin to be able to play with other people here. The sarcasm is funny most of the time, you just have to identify it properly. rehmwa is definitely one of those people with mocking, biting sarcasm (yay! ), and he was just poking a little fun at the stats stuff and himself. If you read his next post, he's the one asshole with Minitab on his computer. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

I have no sympathy for women who consistently fake orgasm and then complain that their men are crap in bed. Women who fake it are just encouraging bad behaviour! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

I think the movie "Parenthood" would be more applicable... Also, in "Garp," didn't the dude get his penis accidentally bitten off when the car was rear-ended?! EEK! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

And straight from one of HH's posts: "Post under the assumption that your boss, future boss, girlfriend, wife, ex, mother, children and the government can access these forums. Think before you hit Post." http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=922417;#922417 _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

hey, don't use my name in vain. isn't it spelled different in this context? You know, when I first saw the thread, I thought to myself, "Hm, I wonder if lewmonst knows about this?" I think it's "in lieu"... _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

At the very least trimmed, but shaved is what I really prefer. It makes for a more pleasant experience when I'm going down on him. The area is cleaner, smells better, and I'm not forced to floss with pubic hair. Also, during sex, I don't get his stray hairs shoved up into my sensitive places, which leads to irritation. AndyMan reports another advantage to trimming/shaving...in the summer, when things can get really hot, sticky and gross down there just from walking outside, your clothes aren't grabbing on and pulling at your pubes. The Fab 5 of Queer Eye claims that "manscaping" can make things look bigger, too. _Pm (And I keep myself trimmed/shaved, as well...it's only fair! He likes it for the same reasons I like it on him, and it just feels better. Anyone see the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode where he thinks he has a pubic hair stuck in his throat and is hacking throughout the show? )) __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Here's an update if anyone is interested...I just downloaded the British Pathe newsreel footage of Franz Reichelt jumping off the Eiffel Tower (not very pretty ). Here's the link, which expires Monday, February 23, 2004: https://www.britishpathe.com/download.php?file=00060726.WMV&uuid=a00325186-6848-7ace-67b649583faf23b6&filename=1824_01.wmv _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Yup... Unfortunately, between 1930 and 1961, 72 of the 75 original Birdmen died while trying to break the barriers of the human flight. From this web site: http://users.utu.fi/vejuto/skyflying.html _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Cool! In the meantime, it can also be found on the British Pathe film archive, but for a price. There is a free preview, but I wasn't able to get it to work. http://www.britishpathe.com/product_display.php?searchfilm=franz+reichelt _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Not sure where you can find the newsreel footage of Franz Reichelt jumping off the Eiffel Tower, but there are some great pictures posted of him in his contraption in MochaSkyChick's thread...more specifically, skypuppy's posts in that thread. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

So, I told AndyMan not to get me anything for Valentine's Day, but he never expressly said that I shouldn't get him anything! As a surprise, I got him an 8x10 print of the attached photo. The caption reads: Clem Sohn, who jumped from 10,000 feet in his "trick suit" at Curtiss Wright Airport. He is standing with his helper Harold Neuman. April, 1935. Photographer - Quinn I work for the Chicago Historical Society, which has an incredible collection of all kinds of historical photos, all available for reproduction. I just happened to find this one a week before Valentine's Day! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Wow, I'm so glad that Andy trusts me so much! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Yeah, I know the feeling...I have a Canadian making me horny all the time, too. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Extreme Tribes featuring wingsuit flying and BASE jumping comes on in a couple hours--9pm Eastern. http://dsc.discovery.com/schedule/episode.jsp?episode=0&cpi=24614&gid=0&channel=DSC _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Actually, if anyone is interested in obtaining a high-resolution digital print, you have to go through the Chicago Historical Society. Send me an email - metcalfeATchicagohistory.org (of course, replace the AT with @).

Noice! But the nipples are lopsided--she should have those examined. _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

No baby, that's okay. You still don't have to get me anything. I will uphold my promise of not putting you in the doghouse tomorrow (or any other Valentine's Day) if you don't get me anything. I love you! _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

I don't really like receiving gifts on Valentine's Day (see this thread), but if AndyMan bought me this bear, I would totally love it because it's just not a common Valentine's gift! That said...since I already know about the bear, it wouldn't be any fun receiving it. I'm so hard to please... _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

Oh, and you can buy it here! http://www.tomatoalligator.com/ "The Shit bitch Bear has been proven to increase response and lower inhibitions of recipients. In studies people who gave The Shit Bitch Bear experienced significantly higher levels of late stage action-such as dry humping and heavy-petting along with extended post-coital spooning sessions. Shit Bitch Bears are the most authentic and effective way to express deep feelings of lust, love and like to that special someone. Perfect for Valentine’s Day and all year round." _Pm __ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)