"John R Weiss" wrote:

"Gord Beaman" wrote...

Thanks Bob, and that's quite clear, no need to scan it at all. I
just had never heard of it being done before. Seems like a
somewhat unsafe thing to be doing with a high value machine in a
highly critical phase of its flight.

Perhaps 'unsafe' isn't the correct word here, my point is that I
feel that it might be unproductive to operate the a/c closer to
it's maximum capabilities just to save some 'wear and tear' on
the engines? I'd think that you're not availing yourself of that
'extra performance' in case of an engine failure at a critical
time. I suspect that it'd take a hell of a long time to make up
what they lost in that one crash. (not even to mention the seven
crew-members)

Well, this is just an example of the reality that belies the "safety is
paramount" theory...

Yep, I agree...and further, I think they're right to do so too.
I've said this before (and gotten slapped down for it) I think
a/c are too safe now...we need to allow the safety factor to
slowly float downward until it's close to the 'safety factor plus
the financial risk factor of the automobile'. At that point the
passenger will still be much safer in an a/c than an automobile
because of the much higher financial risk factor of the aircraft.
BUT the cost for an airline ticket won't be so prohibitive that
lots of people will drive rather than fly. Or are the airlines
fully utilizing the available airspace in North America therefore
there's no opportunity to increase air traffic?


Reduced T/O thrust and non-optimum noise abatement climb
profiles have been made "standard" to put economics and politics ahead of actual
safety considerations...

There are actually some limited cases (e.g., contaminated runways, to reduce
Vmc) where reduced thrust takeoffs are "safer" than full-thrust takeoffs, but
they are the exception to the rule.


John, I recall that you're a qualified 747 F/E or Pilot so can
you tell me whether replacing aerodynamic trim of the tailplane
with fuel weight to reduce drag during cruise is still being
done?...I never seem to hear of it anymore, also what's the
proper nomenclature for that?
--

-Gord.
(use gordon in email)