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Recent Comments:
Plane Answers: Three inexpensive ways to make flying safer {Gadling}
Nov 25th 2009 10:23AM Great topic Kent and the 2 lane idea is fantastic. How about pilot rest as a safety measure? I know the long haul trips have relief crew but isn't the bigger challenge for the domestic, multi-leg crews? Given the complexity of the challenges you guys tackle every flight I can't imagine how you would do it having had 5 hours sleep and then 6 take off & landings in a day - sounds like a particularly harsh Japanese endurance game show!
Plane Answers: Airlines see green in appearing green {Gadling}
Oct 15th 2009 8:42PM Great blog Kent. Nice departure from the norm to shed some light (& sense!) on an important topic.
Plane Answers: Wing inspection lights and a recent severe turbulence encounter {Gadling}
Sep 4th 2009 10:27PM Good post Kent. I know that turbulence is en vogue at the moment with AF447 still out there and great to see the measured response of a pro.
Tough challenge on listing what we should worry about - paper overloading, iPhone failure leading to pilot anguish?:-)
Plane Answers: Pilots are either heroes or villains after an accident {Gadling}
Feb 18th 2009 10:18PM Great post Kent. NTSB reports nearly always show that it was a series of complicating factors that lead to these types of incidents. For 'experts' to narrow it down to one cause or blame is Monday quarterbacking at its very worst. All we really know at this point is that after nearly 25 million flights since the last major airline incident in the US the lottery numbers no-one wants came up for 50 poor souls and their families.
Catching the travel bug: Midair malaise {Gadling}
Oct 27th 2008 8:11PM Hi Kent
Great story! I particularly love the epilogue. Firstly you have kept that video clip v quiet (which will be remedied now) and secondly the old Luscombe is just begging to be a restoration project, cmon its cheaper than buying a Legend!
Gaz
Plane Answers: Rudder pedals, window shades and a call out for an actress {Gadling}
Sep 22nd 2008 2:04PM Just realized that I must have mis-read the question and that the passengers were ordered to put the blinds down not up. I have no idea why that would be requested. Apologies to all for the pointless earlier answer.
Plane Answers: Rudder pedals, window shades and a call out for an actress {Gadling}
Sep 19th 2008 6:48PM Hi Kent
We miss you from our side of town! On the shades up issue as a european I can vouch that this is prevalent in non-US carriers. I seem to recall that it is for a couple of safety reasons in event of an emergency:
1. To keep passengers oriented and avoiding night blindness
2. To allow cabin crew to see out if needed
3. To allow emergency services to see in
Hope this helps
Gaz
Plane Answers: Do challenging airports require special training for pilots? {Gadling}
Jun 6th 2008 7:13PM Hi Kent
What with Kai Tak shutting and now TGU they are taking all the 'fun' out of your job. Next thing you know they will come up with some sort of gadget to aid landings in poor vis conditions.........:-)
Plane Answers: When are pilots afraid of turbulence? {Gadling}
May 9th 2008 8:11PM Kent - great topic to cover, I'm sure it has put a lot of people's minds a rest. Just to upset the apple cart a bit how about a bit of wake turbulence to keep a pilot on their toes?
Plane Answers: When do pilots use the autopilot? {Gadling}
May 4th 2008 9:20PM Hi Kent - First time I've had a chance to get to the site. Great column, great insights. Quick follow up question - are all runways at all airports CAT III certified? I had heard that this isn't the case, hence the seemingly inconsistent diversions due to viz (I'm thinking of our beloved Logan here!) Gareth
