Pilot vs Computer

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 2:14 pm

Is there a gene specific to pilots and is there a specific gene for computer operators?
Are they mutually exclusive or inversely related?

I think most days I am a fair to middlin pilot. On days after I have had some Texas Bar B Q for dinner and gotten a good nights sleep, and the weather is good and I am behind a Merlin, I may be a lot better than that.

But let me sit down at one of these devil machines and it won't start or if it does it won't shut down, it throws a rod before leaving the chocks, first the gear won't retract then it won't lower, and some red warning light on the panel comes on that says, "Alert, geek resevoir depleted".

Is it me, do all you guys just sail through these things?

PS I also have a 4 year degree from a real school,( didn't say I did it in 4 years, but that is the credit they gave) and a few other finance and real estate ratings; so I am not totally illiterate.

Django · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:13 pm

It's all what you're used to. While I began my pilot training, I never finished. I'd love to but it's just not in the cards financially or as a time investment. Computers however... I am on a Mac an average of 8 hrs/day, 7 days/week, for the last 17+ years. I can make it do what I want just as easily as turning a wrench or swinging a hammer.

tom roberts · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:03 pm

You got PICNIC ( problem in chair not in computer )

The Inspector · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:06 pm

Is ANYBODY still offering support for 64? :lol:

jaybird · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:53 pm

It's simple exposure that leads to proficiency. I started on a Vic20 (which had a massive 5k of ram), even though I really wanted the more expensive Atari800. One day I moved up to the Commodore 64. I tried designing games and had a contingent of middle school friends that shared tricks of the trade (hacks). Had I stuck to that endeavor as I aged, maybe I would have made a few billion (which reminds me of Mr. Haskins funny tag line reference)
:lol:

....now go hit the start button to shut down

Chris · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:37 pm

My sister sent me a great one last week on this very subject. Usually when I have computer or phone issues, my kids bail me out. This one fits me like a glove.

As we Silver Surfers know, sometimes we have trouble with our computers.

I had a problem yesterday, so I called Eric, the 11 year old next door, whose bedroom looks like Mission Control and asked him to come over.

Eric clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.
As he was walking away, I called after him, 'So, what was wrong?

He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.'

I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired,'An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.'

Eric grinned... 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?

'No,' I replied.

'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out.'

So I wrote down:
ID10T

I used to like Eric, the little b@stard...

Ztex · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:06 pm

Most of my computer troubles are classified as PEBKAC; Problem exists between keyboard and chair...

What happens when you combine Pilot AND Computer?
There is a huge reliance on computers in aviation. Modern military aircraft would be virtually un-flyable with out them. I would bet that the number of aircraft flying above 18,000ft, or IFR flight plans in general, that are hand flown is close to zero...for many reasons.

There was a bit on the radio today about computers in aircraft....It is a bit of a scare piece like most media stories about aviation....but they have some good points.

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/17/133814621 ... automation

RandolphB · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:14 pm

Ztex wrote:

What happens when you combine the two?
There is a huge reliance on computers in aviation. ....

In a recent class I was taking, the teacher told us the next generation of monster airliners being designed by Boeing was being designed for a crew of just THREE. That would be a Pilot, a Co-Pilot and a Dog.....

The Dog was there to bite the Pilots if they tried to touch the controls.

The Pilots were there to feed the Dog......

Eric Presten · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:32 pm

OK, I will bring it up at the risk of being killed by the majority. I love my Mac. When I use a PC it takes less then an hour for me to lose my will to live. Let the fireworks begin.....

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 11:09 pm

Ztex, I am sure some airplanes are so complicated that they are difficult to fly above 18,000.

But it might also depend on the pilot and if the plane was designed by a genius or by a computer.

I have been to just above 20,000 in a Spitfire MK IX,an it felt just fine. It's service ceiling is 43,500. They were often flown to 35.000 in the war, the PR ones went to Berlin at 38,000 where the Me 262 s could not reach them.

A post war version was flown to over 50,000 feet in trials. The Brits were worried about attacks by certain enemy planes, but after getting to 50,000 they decided that "attacks from above and astern were unlikely and they did not need bubble canopies for great rear view.

All this without computers, just a wing and perhaps an engine designed by geniuses.

Iclo · **Posted:** Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:18 am

As a computer consultant, having often to train peoples (with very low knowledge in the sector) to use system, I will have only one recomendation: be disciplined.
To many peoples try to use a computer "how they want it work" and not "how the computer is designed to work"

With a few basic good sense rules, you can keep a computer running smoothly for years.... ;-)

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2628

I know just enough about computers to be dangerous. I guess the same could be said about airplanes too. :wink:

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:25 am

Iclo,

I have found that "good sense" has nothing to do with a computer. Just a small "for instance", instead of an normal switch labeled "on, off" this ibook thing has a round button with some half moon shaped cut out on it, and no word or label at all. Some nerd made this up ,while he could have been out at the airport learning to fly or at least helping someone gas up their airplane or wash one down. The other computers I use,are Dells, a little less mysterious, but still no on-off switch. You don't turn these on, you power up. Boy ,what a thrill!

As for keeping a computer running smoothly, well I'd like to. I like to watch this thing run down the street while I followed it with a large ax or chainsaw, or maybe some pit bulls.

Django · **Posted:** Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:42 am

Eric Presten wrote:

OK, I will bring it up at the risk of being killed by the majority. I love my Mac. When I use a PC it takes less then an hour for me to lose my will to live. Let the fireworks begin.....

Amen.

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:46 am

I forgot to mention that one of the major computer guys, Michael Dell, bought the last nice in town airports right in Austin and then closed it down. Austin Executive was a neat place that served a number of gen av airplanes and some flight schools. I never met Dell, but haven't heard anything to convince me that he is not a jackass. Last I saw he had not even used that airport land for anything, just made sure others could not enjoy flying there.

The nerds finally got control of the city govt and closed the in town major airport also, Austin Mueller, that had been there for over 50 years. Some of it is still vacant, some may have been replaced by slum housing, as if any town needs more of that. The area around the airport used to be thriving and vibrant, now it is where most of the crime including murders occur.

Mueller was my absolute favorite major airport, it had 3 or 4 runways, big enough for several major airlines like Southwest and also on the other side of the field was a lot of gen avi,several major FBO and fights schools, avionics shops, the whole deal. Right there on site in the terminal was a good little restaurant. Everybody got along, no conflict between airlines and gen av, each had a side and shared just fine.

Now if you want aviation, you have to go outside town to the ex miltary base, or go all the way to the next town for a mostly gen av airport.

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