I disagree. Passengers are not idiots. They are just normal humans, busy living their lives in their own universes. Most are devoid of intellectual curiosity about the real world; way too busy in their own world. It is unreasonable for us to expect they have a clue about CAT. Absent that clue, of course keeping the seat-belt on is not something their minds can process.

(Written on 07/05/2023)(Permalink)

What nonsense! Airline PR people have managed to change our language. Understandable...by getting their customers to think of themselves as "flyers" rather than ordinary "passengers", that hopefully adds to the feeling of participation. Simple fact...the REAL flyers are the folks who sit in front, and wear seat belts, because they know the air can get rough. Passengers sitting in back want to believe they are entitled to a smooth ride. They usually get it. How is it news when they dont?

(Written on 07/05/2023)(Permalink)

First, let me correct your english. True, it is now what people who say, who are all emotional about riding in BACK of someone ELSE's airplane...they CLAIM they "fly". Just admitting they are PASSENGERS takes away from their emotional involvement. Given the times, the way folks believe they are "entitled", we have educated our populace to believe they have some kind of right to air services. Those of us who DO FLY (meaning we sit up front...!) recognize there can be limits as to when we FLY. Obviously, a system of high speed rail service would solve most, if not all, of the delays these "flyers" are grumbling about. Oh well....guess I have admitted my personal dissatisfaction over the fact I have to pay the various costs of when I want to fly, because included in those costs are subsidies for those who CLAIM they fly.....!

(Written on 06/28/2023)(Permalink)

First, let me correct your english. True, it is now what people who say, who are all emotional about riding in BACK of someone ELSE's airplane...they CLAIM they "fly". Just admitting they are PASSENGERS takes away from their emotional involvement. Given the times, the way folks believe they are "entitled", we have educated our populace to believe they have some kind of right to air services. Those of us who DO FLY (meaning we sit up front...!) recognize there can be limits as to when we FLY. Obviously, a system of high speed rail service would solve most, if not all, of the delays these "flyers" are grumbling about. Oh well....guess I have admitted my personal dissatisfaction over the fact I have to pay the various costs of when I want to fly, because included in those costs are subsidizing those who CLAIM they fly.....!

(Written on 06/28/2023)(Permalink)

Those of us who have had courses in public administration, see a pattern. Let me explain. First & foremost, those who lead, should pick the most competent, most informed, most technically sophisticated to run an agency, an administration, etc. That's what we were taught. We were not trained as to the best and most efficient way to destroy an agency, an administraiton, etc....but it follows logically, if that is the goal, then you develop a pattern of picking the most incompetent. Anyone want to take a wild guess as to how many recent appointees in fields related to aviation safety, have a $%%*&# CLUE about aviation?

(Written on 03/16/2023)(Permalink)

I share my fellow aviators frustration at the incomprehensible mess the NOTAM system has become. And then there is the problem of our dear FAA suddenly suddenly throwing TFR's at us. My practice these days is to file IFR or at least request "Flight Following".

(Written on 02/12/2023)(Permalink)

Thank you for posting that "you had ice cream for dessert". My compliments....as your post was no more or less relevant to my keeping abreast of aviation matters, than the other posts in here. I suspec there are folks who would like to know where I go. I know that when I am using the public airspace, anyone can see where and when I took off from, and when and where I went (I have not bothered to try and "hide" my ADS-B transmissions). What puzzles me about these discussions, is once I am on the ground, and shut off my avionics "master", (meaning I can no longer be tracked) how can some person with ill-will towards me, find me? Or this Tesla guy? Given the obvious fact that they cant...what is all the fuss about ?

(Written on 12/17/2022)(Permalink)

Isn't it interesting how modern journalism isn't really jounralism - it is just for "talking heads' to spout pre-canned nonsense between revenue-producing advertising. The creep who stole the airplane was a pilot and of course the airplane was not his. How many heard the TV newscasters babble on about the "skilled pilot making turns with his airplane"

(Written on 09/06/2022)(Permalink)

Hi Mr. Bentwing: Please - you guys stop blaming me for coming up with the term "flyer" in place of "airline passenger". It isn't my fault. I had nothing to do with it. I do continually get into trouble because I keep getting behind what is "politically correct". But at least in my use of the term "flyer" in place of the older term "airline passenger" I am politically correct - I challenge you to find any modern form of mass communication/journalism that still refers to "flyers" as airline passengers. You will have to help me out on your term "radar power". I have never operated an aircraft with radar - have only the most rudimentary understanding of how the things work. I will have to take your word that there is something called "radar power". Not clear where you get the idea I don't tolerate folks in here. Is that because when I see something that is utter nonsense, I ask them about it? Or give a conflicting explanation? What do YOU think ? Is there...or s

(Written on 10/05/2016)(Permalink)

Hi again Mr. Wiley: More apologies. Trying to learn more from you. I presume this "rPi computer" piaware 3.1 is IATA compliant. Any chance you could e mail me a copy of your 337 on that ?

(Written on 10/05/2016)(Permalink)