On Fri, 24 Feb 2006 02:35:13 -0600, Immanuel Goldstein
wrote:
On 2/22/2006 11:07 AM, Robert M. Gary wrote:
A local pilot at our airport who owns a small Cessna 210 went to Boeing
737 school a few years back. He was able to shoot approaches to mins
and fly quite nicely without any heavy iron training outside of some
books and manuals he picked up. Of course, the work gets harder when
the instructor starts to simulate things failing. Airline pilots are
grossly over paid 99% of the time and grossly under paid 1% of the
time. As long as everything is working its pretty easy.
Thank you, Robert. This is exactly the reason I chose these groups for my
_original_ post. I have a couple of follow-up questions.
The local pilot you mentioned was already _quite_ capable of flying a Cessna
210, before attempting a 737. Would someone with little or no flight experience
be able to fly a 737, 747, or 757, and also make steep dives and sharp turns?
The *big* mistake here is making some wild assumptions.
1. Assuming the pilot is worried about exceeding some or any of the
aircraft's limitations. (afraid of breaking it)
2. Afraid of injury. (He plans on dying.)
3. That all maneuvers are performed according to the book.
So, steep dives and sharp turns are indeed easy once you have
determined the pilot does not care what happens to the airplane, the
passengers, what every they might hit, or himself.
Standard Boeing commercial aircraft have locks on the cockpit doors. How
difficult would it be break one down?
Before 9/11 they often stood open whether they were supposed to be
shut or not.
What are the chances that 8 trained pilots and co-pilots, with military
backgrounds, could be physically overpowered by a few thugs with box-cutters?
Quite good when you consider back then the training was to try and
keep the hijacker calm and reason with them, particularly if they have
a hostage. The rule was, "don't make waves" as we might get sued if
any passengers get hurt through your actions.
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com