----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- Considering what happened to the last three transport aircraft that were hijacked, I doubt that any sensible pilot would be tempted open the door if the cabin were captured.. It would serve no good purpose, even if everyone back there was getting murdered. "Safe Mode" would add MILLIONS to the cost of each aircraft since each type aircraft (and avionics configuration) would need to be initially certified and then need to be "ops tested" before acceptance and then on a regular maintenance schedule. Autoland as it currently exists, is quite expensive to keep operational, and it can be disconnected if the pilot detects an anomaly and initiate a "missed approach". "Safe Mode" couldn't perform a go around, at least as described. The complexity builds and builds... It would sure take a gutsy test crew to repeatedly take new (or maintenance repaired) birds up and then "hit the safe mode switch" to verify the aircraft could land itself, all without being able to override it if a malfunction (or simply a mis-wire) existed. If there was a "maintenance override", available on the flight deck, then the system could be compromised for its intended purpose. Of course, maybe we could add another "wireless" override switch... Sure, why not? I love to fly. I understand risk analysis and acceptable risk, but I sure wouldn't want the testing job. I doubt a retirement program would be necessary. It would be anything but a "Safe Mode". There are surely better ideas than this. The rules for pilots and passengers have now changed. We passengers cannot stay passive if we are on a hijacked airliner -- not now!
Rich -----Original Message----- From: Ed Burkhead [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 20:41 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'coupe-list' Subject: RE: [COUPERS] Off-topic: airliner "Safe Mode" ----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- Rich, You make a good point. It would require extensive rewiring, re-configuration and safety testing. As computer technology has advanced, we are now at the point where "Safe Mode" is feasable, albiet expensive. As Kirsh says, it removes much of the value of airliners as targets. For now, I'd go with the reinforced cabin-flight-deck door provided that pilots won't open that door when the stewardesses and lady passengers start getting cut into smithereens. Did I not hear reports that this was the method used to lure the cabin door open this time? The rules for pilots and passengers have now changed. We passengers will not stay passive if we are on a hijacked airliner -- not now! Ed Burkhead Never forget -- what they tried to do was kill 50,000 people who had nothing to do with their conflict. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 8:22 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'coupe-list' Subject: RE: [COUPERS] Off-topic: airliner "Safe Mode" ----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- This guy Kirsh apparently don't really understand how aircraft are currently designed, wired, or configured. While I guess it would be possible to design an aircraft that would "lock-up-everything and-land-in-CAT-III-mode" it would certainly require a complete redesign of the entire ships wiring, eliminating the CB panels from from the flight deck (something that would surely cause more hazards than it would fix) and require very complex logic circuits to be added to all aircraft, with some simply not being capable no matter what. Just the testing alone would incur astronomical cost. If it accidentally engaged, and couldn't be disengaged from the flight deck while in flight (something that would be required to make it even partially useful) it would certainly be very dangerous, maybe even more dangerous than a crazed terrorist. The reinforced cabin-flight deck door, locked from the inside, AND an armed air marshal in the cabin would be far less costly, far safer and could be configured within 30 days or less. How many EL-AL aircraft (configured like the above) have been compromised? Rich -----Original Message----- From: Ed Burkhead [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 19:51 To: 'coupe-list' Subject: [COUPERS] Off-topic: airliner "Safe Mode" ----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- Here's a proposal for Air Transport aircraft "Safe Mode" which would kick in the autopilot in "autoland" mode on suitably equipped aircraft (a lot of the fleet). The proposer is a filthy rich computer entrepreneur who's started and gotten rich from creating several companies. Looking at the merits of the proposal, I think he may be on to something. I'd recommend you browse it. http://www.skirsch.com/politics/plane/disable.htm Ed Burkhead N3802H, Ercoupe 415-D Peoria, IL ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiLm.aVzvvT Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
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