Plane crash in Kent

[Marina]

Talking of bailing out of airliners: I read a few days ago that some of the money, only a few notes, from that years-ago hi-jacker in America that bailed out and was never seen again has turned up.

and some kids recently unearthed a carefully buried parachute they reckon was the one he used ..

Cooper was his name at the time, ISTR, although he'd probably have changed it since (assuming he survived).

[PAH]

the instructor said he always carried his parachute as hand luggage whenever he got on a plane.

He'd probably be classed a terrorist nowadays, with security wanting to know if he intended getting off the plane before it reached the other end.

Problem is, unless the cabin is depressurised, you'd never get the door open at anything like crusing altitude. The shape of the door makes it damn near impossible. [Edit : ... and the fact that the pressure in the cabin is x times the external air pressure. HTH]

I was thinking more of a parachute for the plane rather than the passengers. Remember seeing it on a programme many years ago. Probably after a major air crash like there were proposed solutions for getting off high buildings after the world trade center came down.

[hyperD]

The main problem is that most crashes happen as part of "take off" and landing where you wouldn't have sufficient altitude to deploy a parachute anyway.

Churchill - In "Height and speed are your friends" mode.

Parachute plane:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6749412/

Although Churchill's right - immediate takeoff/landing are the riskiest - high engine stress, low alt, low speed - parachute no good then and jets much much heavier.

As an aside, I find it difficult to believe the accuracy of a member of the public's report:

"I looked into the eyes of the pilot and a female passenger just seconds before it crashed because the plane was heading straight for my house in Hale Close"

Sounds like it stalled before impact though...awful...

[Lucy]

Who do you think maintains the aircraft you fly first class in?

Most commercial airlines (minus Aeroflot and Air India etc) triple check repairs/upgrades etc. It is not common practice amongst charter airlines, and they don't have the same congruence of skilled staff in the way that large commercial airlines do.

Now tell us about your experience as a pilot.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Most commercial airlines (minus Aeroflot and Air India etc) triple check repairs/upgrades etc. It is not common practice amongst charter airlines, .

and your source for this information is?

[Churchill]

Most commercial airlines (minus Aeroflot and Air India etc) triple check repairs/upgrades etc. It is not common practice amongst charter airlines, and they don't have the same congruence of skilled staff in the way that large commercial airlines do.

Now tell us about your experience as a pilot.

I've got a PPL(H) with type ratings on R22, R44, Hughes 500(+NOTAR) and Jet (+Long)Ranger.

I passed my test in 1998 (first time) so this year will have had 10 years experience as a qualified pilot.

I currently have 700+ hours PIC.

If you were my friend on Facebook then you could see some piccies of what I fly.

Thanks for asking Btw.

[TheFaQQer]

and your source for this information is?

The same source that Lucy uses for every well thought out, logical thread like this one

[Spartacus]

I've got a PPL(H) with type ratings on R22, R44, Hughes 500(+NOTAR) and Jet (+Long)Ranger.

I passed my test in 1998 (first time) so this year will have had 10 years experience as a qualified pilot.

I currently have 700+ hours PIC.

If you were my friend on Facebook then you could see some piccies of what I fly.

Thanks for asking Btw.

I've put in about six hours on Microsoft Flight 92. Oh, and about 20 hours on Mig-29 Combat.

[Churchill]

I've put in about six hours on Microsoft Flight 92. Oh, and about 20 hours on Mig-29 Combat.

An expert then, eh?

[sasguru]

Most commercial airlines (minus Aeroflot and Air India etc) triple check repairs/upgrades etc. It is not common practice amongst charter airlines, and they don't have the same congruence of skilled staff in the way that large commercial airlines do.

Now tell us about your experience as a pilot.

You really are a cretin aren't you? That, or a very good bot.