Really? How many hours do you have in a 747 that you make this pronouncement with such certainty?

(Written on 02/04/2022)(Permalink)

No, Larry, Turboprop and Turbo Propellers are NOT the same thing. Here's a bit of advice for you: It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.

(Written on 12/10/2021)(Permalink)

I just had a thought. Assuming the transmitters in our radio altimeters are as out of date as our receivers, we may well spill over into 5G. If we could use that as a carrier and modulate cockpit audio on it, imagine the fun: "So then I told Jimmy that if he thought FIFTY FORTY THIRTY TWENTY RETARD RETARD..."

(Written on 11/26/2021)(Permalink)

No argument from me, Jim. If it were up to me, there would be no 5G. We need it like a fish needs a bicycle. My son's Instagram is plenty fast enough, thank you, no matter what he thinks. My point was that we have no empirical data at this time other than that from other nations. Those international data have thus far failed to indicate a problem. Rather than imagining horrid outcomes, would it not be better to get busy on empirical research to see how likely it is that an adverse outcome could occur? 5G is not going away. No matter how strenuously we object, it is upon us. Nor (and I acknowledge that this is a debateable point) is it entirely the responsibility of Telecom. We're using out of date equipment. We need to light a fire under manufacturers to build receivers with high selectivity (brick wall filters have been around a long time). Then we need to kindle a larger fire under the FAA to expedite the testing and approval process for new equipment. It can take a year to get ap

(Written on 11/26/2021)(Permalink)

You didn't quite get my point, Jim. I'm sure we all understand that a loaded 380 going into Yankee Stadium during the 7th game of the World Series would be a more catastrophic event than a 777 runway excursion. I thought it pretty clear that a damaged aircraft and some injured passengers would be sufficient to bring about revision of the a poor decision If one were made. Catastrophic loss of life would not be required. As to Boeing and the 737 Max, I pilot that aircraft on a regular basis. Like virtually every 737 pilot, I know the location of the stab trim override switches and how to use them. It is absolutely tragic that a couple of pilots forgot or never learned how to respond to a trim overrun. Boeing made serious errors regarding MCAS. Not even Boeing denies that. Still, it seems quite a stretch to assert that those errors are analogous to the 5G controversy.

(Written on 11/26/2021)(Permalink)

As a 737 pilot and ham radio operator, I agree with you completely. Radio altimetry as implemented in aircraft is an obsolescent technology, long overdue for an update. International data thus far have identified no significant systemic problems and I doubt there will be any here. In particular, we need to let go of two arguments that are floating around the aviation community: TELECOM HAS ALL THE MONEY, THEY'LL GET WHATEVER THEY WANT. In the very worst of instances, all it would take would be a busted 777 and a bunch of banged up pax from a runway excursion on a Cat III landing to change the mind of even the most recalcitrant FCC commissioner or member of Congress. WE WERE HERE FIRST, WE SHOULD GET TO CALL THE SHOTS. What a silly statement (shame on you, Juan Browne). If that argument prevailed, radio amateurs could operate spark gap transmitters all over the airwaves. We were here first! Let's all settle down, stop doing the pee-pee dance, and see what empirical stu

(Written on 11/26/2021)(Permalink)

Without regard to what the facts may be, Mr Gryder will blame it on the NTSB. One wonders what the back story is there.

(Written on 11/12/2021)(Permalink)

As could you.

(Written on 09/24/2021)(Permalink)

With an attitude like yours, I doubt that the airlines will grieve your absence.

(Written on 07/02/2021)(Permalink)

It won't be hard for FAA to identify this miscreant. Anyone who cannot read and comply with NOTAMs has no business in command of an aircraft. Whether Part 91 or 135, the punishment should be swift and severe. IIRC, the penalty for violating a TFR is a fine of up to $100,000 and/or a year in jail. (That's from memory. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) Given the cost to SpaceX, NASA, et al, those penalties do not seem excessive.

(Written on 07/02/2021)(Permalink)