i hate flying in airplanes - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Rashakor · #31 06-19-2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

I fly to much - two things bug me about commercial flying; Planes have morphed into flying buses and contain that small group of probably 10% who do not have a clue what's going on or have never flown. Then there is TSA, but that's probably another thread

That is so true. I also fly pretty much every week to the four corner of the continent. From Dallas it is 4 hours to go pretty much anywhere. Now, it really feels like taking the bus. The only real annoyance are those 10% of people you r talking about and yes the non-sensical TSA security routines. Guess they are part of the experience though.
From my experiences
If the trip is less than 400 miles --> drive. airport annoyances and delay would eat the time it take to drive those 400 miles.
Now, if the trip is more than 400 miles. Flying is by far the best, more relaxing option (up to 1500miles most flights only take 2-3 hours; instead of 20+ by car...)
Now i must agree that intercontinental flights are a real pain. you must stay put for 8 hours in an unconfortable seat. But heck, it is the only way (unless you want to try the commercial boat; 2-3 weeks transit; i did it once between Veracruz to Rotterdam; i won't do it again!!!! That trip cured me from plane phobia for ever).

Mistress · #32 06-19-2006, 11:38 AM

There are several things you can do to make this "ride" easier on yourself. Try and get a seat in the "emergency" isle, the leg room area is bigger and you won't feel so cramped. Also, there are several books on the market about flying phobias that might help. Wearing eyeshades and using an IPod might help too. My dad flew with Lindbergh (name dropping here) way back when, and I have been flying since the tender age of 4 can't get enough of it, any aircraft doesn't matter. Taking off, banking and landing are my favorites. Let us know how it goes.

WVOtoGO · #33 06-19-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

I remember the time that I revved my ol' 4-cylinder Ford Mustang up to 100 MPH, only to feel a sense of chagrin when the camshaft broke, stopping the engine. I drifted over to the Interstate's shoulder, pulled up to a stop, and started hitchhiking, which sucked.

Now, imagine the same scenario, only in a single-engine plane.

Funny how so many people seem to imagine that any mechanical failure of an aircraft leads to an untimely death.

Maroon 300D · #34 06-19-2006, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVOtoGO

Funny how so many people seem to imagine that any mechanical failure of an aircraft leads to an untimely death.

My father had an engine go out on his twin-engine Bonanza a few years ago and was able to land safely. I know it's possible to glide in to a landing with no engine, but I wouldn't want to experience it myself.

In many ways small aircraft seem a lot like my Mercedes; there's usually something that needs fixing, but it's unlikely to be the sort of thing that will prevent you from getting from Point A to Point B.

On the other hand, maybe all that time my dad spent out at the airport had more to do with getting out of the house...

Jim H · #35 06-19-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

I remember the time that I revved my ol' 4-cylinder Ford Mustang up to 100 MPH... Now, imagine the same scenario, only in a single-engine plane.

I bet your Mustang would not have siezed if it was

a. Designed and type-accepted for 100mph cruising
b. Serviced on the same schedule, and by mechanics with the same qualifications, for single-engine planes.

Oh, and as WVOtoGO points out, a plane can drift (glide) farther than your Mustang if the engine quits...

...and in both cases, the 'driver' has to look for a soft spot that is large enough for the craft!

Brian Carlton · #36 06-19-2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVOtoGO

Funny how so many people seem to imagine that any mechanical failure of an aircraft leads to an untimely death.

No, fixed wing aircraft are fine.........it's the rotary wing aircraft that typically lead you to an untimely death when something fails in the engine/gearbox/tailrotor.

WVOtoGO · #37 06-19-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

No, fixed wing aircraft are fine.........it's the rotary wing aircraft that typically lead you to an untimely death when something fails in the engine/gearbox/tailrotor.

Statistically (Even statistics. 1:1) - Not true at all. More people walk away from mechanical failures in rotor wing aircraft than fixed wing. By far.

I would MUCH, MUCH RATHER have an engine failure in a helicopter than in a fixed wing aircraft. I’ll have little to no ground speed when I touch down, as apposed to the fixed wing aircraft and trying to dodge things at 70+ mph. Transmission failures are the same thing. A rotor failure is about as common as a wing separation, so - whatever.

WVOtoGO · #38 06-19-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

Well, granted, but failure of the engine on a single-engine plane is seldom touted as a life-enhancing experience.

Had to bail out of an KCAB Decathlon after 10”of the propeller separated. (Minor Ouch to the left knee.)
Emergency landing at PRC after a turbo/exhaust stack clamp failed on a Piper Saratoga and proceeded to burn a hole through the firewall and ignite/melt everything on the back of the panel. (Minor burns to the right leg, and the need for new jeans)
Slid an MU-2J into OKC in the rain after a gear extension failure. (No Ouch. Just lots of paper work)
Lost a #2 turbine wheel in a 550 Citation climbing out of Albuquerque and looked like a comet landing in Las Cruces. (No ouch, just lots more paper work)
Catastrophic failure of the crank shaft in a C210 at 15k led to a forced landing in a farmers field in Western Co. (Walked away and was treated to a great supper by the farmer and his wife. “Life-enhancing“, I’d say. We’ve shared Xmas cards over the years since)
Oil pump failure in a Piper Cherokee-6 led to a forced landing on HW287. (Coasted off the HW, and was treated to a free Sonic burger by the DPS officer when he gave me a ride into Decatur. Nice cop, but nothing too “life enhancing” about a Sonic burger.)
Transmission cooler line on an MD500 (Helicopter) led to a forced auto-rotation into West Texas prairie lands. (No ouch. Just an overnight hike to I-10.…SNAKES!!)
Three other engine failures in rotor craft have led to full stop auto-rotations in an H-16E, a Bell 206B3 and a Bell-47. All were easy walk-away landings for all on board.
Had a tail rotor gearbox failure on a Bell 206 L4 at cruise and 4500 feet AGL. (We all walked away from that one too. Jennifer (crew) did the textbook auto rotation on that one, actually. Got a nice hug from all. )

I STILL LOVE IT. WOULDNT TRADE IT FOR THE WORLD.

Brian Carlton · #39 06-19-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVOtoGO

I’ll have little to no ground speed when I touch down,

.........lack of ground speed is not going to save you........

phasmatisnox · #40 06-19-2006, 05:57 PM

Alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol. I don't think they'll like you bringing everclear into the secured areas, though- so drink a bunch right before you hit security. Terrorists don't get drunk right before they fly, so they'll just wave you right through.

Hatterasguy · #41 06-19-2006, 06:30 PM

I remember a few years back Sikorsky was testing a Black Hawk and the rotor exploded. A couple of guys were fishing on the river at the time and had to dodge rotor parts.

I'm surprised my dad used to do rotor inspections for them and I know how nuts they are about things like that, for good reason.

Given the level of maintaince the average plane gets as oposed to a car, I'd rather fly.

WVOtoGO · #42 06-19-2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

.........lack of ground speed is not going to save you........

Sorry - I guess I forgot to mention in an auto-rotation, there's the flare and burn off of the vertical speed prior to touch down as well.

Shelby had a chip light come on a few weeks ago in the 530F. She did a full stop, power off landing in someones back yard about 4 miles from here. Slid about 5 feet. Just missed the folks pool by about 2 feet. Called us up on her cell phone. We drove out. Jumped the fence. Found a ground fault issue. Fixed it. And we were all out of there before they got home. No sign of any neighbors.
We still laugh at the thought of those folks trying to figure out how those strange marks were made in their grass. Try that one in an airplane. You'd make the news for sure. (And quite quite possibly the obituaries.)

Brian Carlton · #43 06-19-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVOtoGO

Sorry - I guess I forgot to mention in an auto-rotation, there's the flare and burn off of the vertical speed prior to touch down as well.

I'm quite familiar with it.........but........you make it appear that it's easily achieved by any pilot.........maybe I'm a bit skeptical on that point.

WVOtoGO · #44 06-19-2006, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I remember a few years back Sikorsky was testing a Black Hawk and the rotor exploded. A couple of guys were fishing on the river at the time and had to dodge rotor parts.

I'm surprised my dad used to do rotor inspections for them and I know how nuts they are about things like that, for good reason.

Given the level of maintaince the average plane gets as oposed to a car, I'd rather fly.

Every now and then, sad things do happen. (I guess to folks fishing as well.)
Thank God (Good maintenance practices and mechanics, too.) catastrophic failures like that are few and far between.
I wish we could say that about folks running red lights or crossing the center line.

Seems we’re getting a bit off topic here. Sorry, for my share of that.

I’m with Ned. Get drunk before you fly, and all’s well. Just don’t get belligerent drunk. That can cost you big time if they have to delay a flight or deviate the flights destination.

Get belligerent in our aircraft, and we’ll just dial the cabin altitude up on you. Knock ya right out. No worries.

WVOtoGO · #45 06-19-2006, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I'm quite familiar with it.........but........you make it appear that it's easily achieved by any pilot.........maybe I'm a bit skeptical on that point.

No...just me and mine !!

Seriously - We do practice quite a bit. We also feel the Feds don't require enough of it either.

And you've got a good point. I've seen plenty of screwed up auto-rotations. More than good ones in fact. Even by some high time pilots. Just not enough practice in type, I'd say.

I'd love to have a dollar for every A-R that I've seen split the skids and/or cut the boom off. Or for every time I said something to the effect of "What the hell are/is you/he/she) doing ?!?!?"
Early pull of the collective is a pretty popular thing as A-R's go. It's followed shortly by no rotor rpm, and the return of vertical speed.

..............SPLAT...........