My grandfather was training to be a fighter pilot when WWI ended.

@elchimpo: Unless you're flying a poorly-rigged 182 with a heavy left wing — without an autopilot. In IMC. Then it stays interesting for as long as you want to live.

@tripl3fast: Yeah, the temporary flight restriction for a shuttle takeoff or landing is huge - I think 50 miles.

@docrice: I just hear my primary flight instructor in my head — "Keep the nose down all the way to ground effect, keep the nose down all the way to ground effect, keep it down..."

Sorry for the double-post, but what's also really cool is how the HUD overlays the runway extended centerline — all this from an Intel 386.

At 30 seconds, am I reading that HUD correctly? Flight level 780, 240 knots indicated? She calls out "Mach 2," but I can't make my numbers come out the same.

@patman: I was just wondering myself if a Coyote would fit in there...

@helowrench: There was one flying regularly out of GAI, but I never finagled a ride on it.

I'd rather catch locusts in my own Locost.

I love how all interior shots in aircraft (probably cars too) use a real wide lens to make it look spacious and luxurious. I've never been in any of the "wide body" EC1xx models, but I've been in an AS350, and it was damn cramped, like most helicopters.

@Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: You seriously made me laugh out at work loud for the first time ever. Fiero body kit on a Testarossa. Wish I could heart-click you again.

Escort. No question.

@Unevolved has three moving parts.: Remember, a riding mower has a primary belt drive between the engine and transaxle. I'm sure if you put a big enough pulley on the engine's output shaft, you could turn that transaxle as fast as you want. Whether or not it would explode under your ass, sending gears and shrapnel…

@CJinSD: Y'know what? You're spot on.

@Elhigh: Apparently, upon landing, the DC-3 was a lot like an early 911 in that you had to be very careful with the pedals or it would want to swap ends on you. You learned how to stay ahead of it or you ended up in a ditch.

@Turbineguy - now with reheat!!: My understanding is that when loading DC-9's and DC-10's, especially with freight, they install a strut under the tail skid to hold the tail up. Once the passengers board, the strut can be removed. If this airplane was evacuated but still loaded with luggage or freight, that could…

@ha1156w: Heart click for preaching truth about the maligned Olds Diesel 350. Oh, the heads could have used a few more bolts, too.

@Baby beater Benz: Or do like I did — get your pilot's license. For mid-range travel (250-500 miles), it beats airlines on time, and if you've got more than two aboard, it wins on costs, too. A Cessna 182 gets my family from DC to Cape Cod in 2:50, instead of nine hours driving.

@Kuro: This whole thread should be given Thread of the Quarter or something like that. This set of posts should be required reading for automotive product planners the world over.

@goatrope: I know, we have a 5 with the auto. You're right about the seat — if I get my own, I'm gonna see if I can shim up the front of the rails to get a better angle on the seat cushion. Either that or take it to an upholstery shop and get some memory foam added to the bottom.