Wasn’t there a discussion here about “VIN numbers” recently?

I’m with that, but we’re showing our age. Bet few under 50 have ever rowwed a column, am I right?

My wife’s 3.6 Outback has them with the 5 speed auto. They’re useless except to force the next lower gear prior to overtaking slower traffic on the open road. In that case I find them essential.

Speaking of paddles, am I the only one who thinks they should <i>always</i> be mounted on the column and never on the steering wheel (tiny cockpit, gizmo racing steering excepted like F1 where a quarter turn is full lock)? I can’t find the stupid paddle if won’t stay in the same damn place!

SHHH, never divulge the secrets. Wine, women (men if thats your thing), riches, locales, glory...

Its a little better now but I spent a full decade without a pay raise. As to whether to pursue it as career, it depends. If its about the money, probably not. If its about enjoying operating one of the most amazing machines invented by man, you betcha. No regrets at all!

If you mean does the stick fit the hand, then yes, right side fits right hand, left fits left. Mirrored.

Good question. The sticks in Airbus are independent- meaning that unlike a Boeing, when one moves the other doesn’t. Only one pilot should fly at a time and if both are deflecting the stick from neutral there is an continuous aural alert “dual input”. The inputs are averaged- one full up and one full down = neutral,…

Any engine can use fuel from any tank. Fuel dump allows landing below max structural landing weight.

Had the “pleasure” of spending a month in one of those as temporary housing in Panama along with 4 other people. They offer little other than a refuge from the heat and a place to sleep.

Hearing the same thing but haven’t talked to a dealer yet. I will say no to any MSRP overages- must make that decision before walking onto the lot. A new WRX can be had and tunes well with $10,000. Not to mention the STi.

“People used to travel in smallpox stricken stagecoaches and piss in gravy boats for days in order to get from one place to another.”

In the end, it’s just another large transport, but your right about it being iconic. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity, but they are on the way out- just one more surge in oil prices away from the boneyard. Our fleet will be completely retired in a few years.

It might actually be a structural limitation. 450SHP would seem to be enough to go faster. I flew T-34Cs that had 550SHP and they could do 280Kts, and were heavier to boot at about 4000 lbs.

Type ratings in the US refer to specific FAA certificated types. For example I’m type rated in L-188, B757, B767, B747, B777, A320. They are not predicated on gross weight, just type. There are also certifications such as private pilot, commercial pilot and airline transport pilot (I hold this certificate). These…

The blades usually have counterweights that drive them to feather without oil pressure. This is a safety feature in case of prop control failure. Feathered props produce less drag prolonging glide.

To add to the discussion, most turboprops are designed to feather if there is loss of controlling oil pressure. This is accomplished by the use of counterweights on the blades. Prop speed is controlled with a condition lever that sets prop speed and as turbine power output increases, blade pitch is increased to hold…

Kudos. Solid rebutal on your part- the equivalent of sticking out your tongue at me. Please don’t waste you time with me. It would be far more useful for you to spend it getting educated on the origins of labor and how your fellow workers (of all nationalities) are getting by these days.

“What would also benefit the whole economy is workers being paid an actual market value for the unskilled work they do to keep costs down and give price flexibility.”

“But the UAW keeps artificially inflating hourly wages”