Aviation

[Rita_Poon]

Well @Rita_Poon Tex was a fine soul and enjoyed talking about a few things and I believe that includes airplanes.

He also like talking politics and was a quick draw, so to speak. I’m not sure his personality would fit the stress of flying an airplane.

Then again maybe he’d make a great boomer airline Captain.

Sound. Erm, just to clear a few minds, I'm not tex either. Whoever tex was. Sorry. I've talked ghost fleets, the aircraft bone yard in Arizona, and plenty of my favourite shipwrecks. The railing has fallen.

 

[slipstream86]

Yup, I fly regularly. I am naturally a little risk-averse, but only when the odds are against me. With flying, they are massively in my favour. There's more chance of being killed crossing the street. Once you rationally weigh up the risk, the only time you really worry is when the people next to you are vomiting into their sick bags as we try an approach...

Actually, truth be told, it's the cabin staff I watch. If they look edgy, you have permission to panic.

Well of course risk aversion is also a quality of a safe pilot.

The best thing passengers can do to take at least some responsibility is watch the safety demo from the cabin crew, read the safety card, memorize where the nearest emerg exit is, count how many seats to nearest exit (incase of impaired visibility), keep floors clear of bags for TO + LDG, don't take baggage with you if an evacuation takes place ect.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Well of course risk aversion is also a quality of a safe pilot.

The best thing passengers can do to take at least some responsibility is watch the safety demo from the cabin crew, read the safety card, memorize where the nearest emerg exit is, count how many seats to nearest exit (incase of impaired visibility), keep floors clear of bags for TO + LDG, don't take baggage with you if an evacuation takes place ect.

How many duty free bottles of JD do you recommend before this?

 

[chrismpw]

On the one hand, I'd rather take the train over flying if I could. But then I don't deal with the hassles that the average Brit faces on the trains so this experience is not burned into my memory. For me the trains are always a pleasant experience. On the other hand, getting around the US is a major hassle, so we tend to deal with airports as a required nuisance. Except for those who drive everywhere (and we are not far from this just because of the # of people in our house who need plane tickets).

So I understand everyone has their own experience, but some of it is also geographically (culturally) ingrained.

It shouldn't have to be so necessary to travel. I get an annual holiday trip... fly off for a fortnight or something. What grates with me is when someone decides on a fad that they want to fly from the UK to New York for a weekend to do some shipping. There will largely be the same global goods you can get in most UK highstreets, or online with delivery. It's utter self indulgence and planet wrecking.

Surely most US towns have the same ships / goods? Is there really a need to be elsewhere so often?*

There was a US celeb recently who flew 2 hours by private jet to get a pizza from her favourite restaurant and flew 2 hours back. Utterly selfish and lacking awareness about the impact she has, but somehow society has made her wealthy enough to do that. Incredible.

*I'm convinced most UK road traffic is just people wanting to be in a different part of town for half an hour, with no reason. And why aren't they at work in daytime hours ffs?!

 

[Rita_Poon]

 

[slipstream86]

How many duty free bottles of JD do you recommend before this?

haha there is no regulatory requirement for this...other that the "Air Navigation Order 2016" which states it is illegal to be 'drunk on board an aircraft'. Make of that what you will..... after your 4th round of 2 for 1 spirits that they gladly serve to you on board.

 

[Rita_Poon]

haha there is no regulatory requirement for this...other that the "Air Navigation Order 2016" which states it is illegal to be 'drunk on board an aircraft'. Make of that what you will..... after your 4th round of 2 for 1 spirits that they gladly serve to you on board.

It isn't the first rule been killed by the necessity for profit.

 

[slipstream86]

It isn't the first rule been killed by the necessity for profit.

See Boeing thread from last year

 

[WA Toffee]

I flew from Wellington to Nelson recently, a 30 minute flight over the Cook Strait. Went over in an older 12 seater that was like a transit van with wings. Back on a more modern 10 seater. Both flights have just the one pilot, no cabin crew, direct line of sight to the cockpit and view through front screen to the runway. Like a fairground ride tbh.

View attachment 295602View attachment 295603View attachment 295604

Ah, the old "pencil of death"

Used to fly on those going to remote mine sites, hated every second of it

 

[SerenityNigh]

It shouldn't have to be so necessary to travel. I get an annual holiday trip... fly off for a fortnight or something. What grates with me is when someone decides on a fad that they want to fly from the UK to New York for a weekend to do some shipping. There will largely be the same global goods you can get in most UK highstreets, or online with delivery. It's utter self indulgence and planet wrecking.

Surely most US towns have the same ships / goods? Is there really a need to be elsewhere so often?*

There was a US celeb recently who flew 2 hours by private jet to get a pizza from her favourite restaurant and flew 2 hours back. Utterly selfish and lacking awareness about the impact she has, but somehow society has made her wealthy enough to do that. Incredible.

*I'm convinced most UK road traffic is just people wanting to be in a different part of town for half an hour, with no reason. And why aren't they at work in daytime hours ffs?!

Don't agree nor disagree with everything you've written here, but am reminded that IMO everyone should spend a few weeks driving across the US at least once in their life. But maybe that's a discussion for a different thread.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Don't agree nor disagree with everything you've written here, but am reminded that IMO everyone should spend a few weeks driving across the US at least once in their life. But maybe that's a discussion for a different thread.

Back on topic, took this picture years ago flying with a friend who's since passed. He was a good guy, even if an average pilot, and I miss him.

 

[Rita_Poon]

 

[slipstream86]

Back on topic, took this picture years ago flying with a friend who's since passed. He was a good guy, even if an average pilot, and I miss him.

View attachment 295681

You flew in that aircraft? Citation Mustang...what a machine. And US is by a country mile the best place the fly as a general aviation pilot.

 

[slipstream86]

Ah, the old "pencil of death"

Used to fly on those going to remote mine sites, hated every second of it

I flew from Wellington to Nelson recently, a 30 minute flight over the Cook Strait. Went over in an older 12 seater that was like a transit van with wings. Back on a more modern 10 seater. Both flights have just the one pilot, no cabin crew, direct line of sight to the cockpit and view through front screen to the runway. Like a fairground ride tbh.

View attachment 295602View attachment 295603View attachment 295604

Surely one pilot is safer? It half's the chance of "pilot error" causing an accident?

 

[Rita_Poon]

Surely one pilot is safer? It half's the chance of "pilot error" causing an accident?

I had the fish?