Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner made its first flight today, almost exactly 106 years after Orville and Wilbur made the first powered flight. And at least it did not act like the first beast did:

When out about the same distance as Will's, I met with a strong gust from the left which raised the left wing and sidled the machine off to the right in a lively manner. I immediately turned the rudder to bring the machine down and then worked the end control. Much to our surprise, on reaching the ground the left wing struck first, showing the lateral control of this machine much more effective than on any of our former ones. At the time of its sidling it had raised to a height of probably 12 to 14 feet.

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Translated to English that means: The wind was gusting from the left and I over corrected causing the left wing to drag before the wheels, skids in this case, were on the ground.

Luck was with them because it didn't cartwheel and break up as would be expected. Probably because it was so low and under powered there wasn't enough force to flip it.

Anyway, I got to thinking about all the commercial jets I have flown on...

777, 767, 757, 747, 737, 727, 707...DC10, DC9, DC8, MD80, MD11, L1011, Convair 880, BAC111, Canadair CRJ, A320, Caravelle and a Soviet TU something or other.

Then there were the props, both prop-jets and recips.... DC3, DC4, Martin 404, Martin 202, Lockheed Electra. YS11A, F27 and a prop jet flown by Southern called, I believe, the Metro Liner... yeah Fairchild Metro Liner...and one flight on a Beechcraft.

My favorite jet is any jet that I am seated in First Class. My favorite otherwise is the 727. Grab the next to the last row on the left (facing forward) and you will be in an exit row with about 10 feet of space in front of you, the galley on your right from which you use to be able to mooch goodies and booze from the Flight Attendants.

The 727 also has the distinction of being the fastest commercial jet and I have heard actually survived being flipped over on its back at around 40,000 feet. The company was United and the pilot pushed the nose over and did a barrel roll. He managed to pull it out before it hit the ground or the wings fell off. A nifty bit of flying and proof that the 727 is one tough cookie.

The airframe was not damaged but the cleaning bill was several thousand dollars.

From the late 60's til the early 80's Delta had the best service of any airline. Period. Have a problem? If man could fix it they would do so. But finally the stress of low fares, mergers and assorted stuff turned them into just another airline.

United treated me well, average and poorly. Some of my fondest and hateful memories center around United flights and customer service. But all in all I have to give them a B+. Since I flew them heavily, almost two million miles, through the ups and downs of the 80's, 90's and early 00's then some of that shouldn't have been unexpected.

Southern had all single class of service. They ran an ad that said everyone was first class on Southern. That naturally was changed to no one is first class.. But actually they were a good airline. Served a lot of places with DC 9's that now can't attract a Canadair and if many of their pilots were ex-bush pilots, so what? When Southern was purchased by North Central they just moved on to Air Alaska.

But my favorite expression about an airline remains Ozark. Of which it was said that if things went bad, "They'll give you a ho cake and a glass of buttermilk."

Who could want more?



On Twitter I am Lesabre1

More Democrats than Repubs believe in ghosts...No surprise there...after all... they also believe in global warming

A new study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reveals some startling differences between Republicans and Democrats on issues of spirituality and supernatural phenomenon.

The study, "Many Americans Mix Multiple Faiths," reports that a significant number of Americans practice a mixture of religious beliefs, and "many also blend Christianity with Eastern or New Age beliefs such as reincarnation, astrology and the presence of spiritual energy in physical objects." The report is not specifically about partisan differences, but the results of the study are broken down by party affiliation, among many other categories. And the news on that front is that Democrats are far more likely to believe in supernatural phenomenon than Republicans.

"Conservatives and Republicans report fewer experiences than liberals or Democrats communicating with the dead, seeing ghosts and consulting fortunetellers or psychics," the Pew study says. For example, 21 percent of Republicans report that they have been in touch with someone who is dead, while 36 percent of Democrats say they have done so. Eleven percent of Republicans say they have seen a ghost, while 21 percent of Democrats say so. And nine percent of Republicans say they have consulted a fortuneteller, while 22 percent of Democrats have.

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On Twitter I am Lesabre1

They were young hippies and they knew just what to do

This says it all.


This is an old Chicago Tribune cartoon that was just so right. It just took 30 years or so to come true.

(Click on the pic to enlarge it.)

The pinkies grew up and became teachers and administrators and birthed Obamie The Bower.

Our country is just so humped!

Hat tip to wtucker111 for the cartoon.



On Twitter I am Lesabre1

Barbara Boxer is a US Senator

So you would think she is at least somewhat intelligent. She is also is a Leftie Democrat.

Do I need to say more?

WASHINGTON — As abortion took center stage in the Senate's historic debate over health care reform, Sen. Barbara Boxer was right in the middle of the fight, comparing an effort to limit women's access to abortion to restricting men's access to Viagra.

Her combative stance on the issue was a familiar one for the third-term Democrat, whose support of abortion rights has been central to her political career.

"Why are women being singled out here? It's so unfair," Boxer said on the Senate floor Tuesday. "We don't tell men that if they want to ... buy insurance coverage through their pharmaceutical plan for Viagra that they can't do it."

That is absolutely one of the most stupid statements I have ever read.

The issues aren't even related yet she tries to connect them.

Uh Barb.... One has to do with doing. The other has to do with undoing.



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On Twitter I am Lesabre1

Why we can't we trust the global warming figures

This is a map showing the location of surface temperature probes. As you look at the map you will see that the darker the dot the greater the error factor.

And this is a picture of the type of location many have been for years. Not hard to see why the results would be misleading. Driveways, steel poles and air conditioner exhausts produce and retain heat. That's why people go to places with grass and shade. Notice how the temperature chart has a steady rise. My, my. I do wonder why.



And this is a picture of one that will be influenced less by the local environment, although the grayish gravel, steel poles, etc., do retain heat. Notice how the temperature graph shows much higher temperatures a hundred years ago than what we have today. Notice the slight rise.



And this is a pie chart showing the quality ratings of the probes.

Note that 61% have an error rate of greater than 2 degrees C. That is 3.6 degrees F.

8% have an error rate of greater than 5 degrees C. That's 9 degrees F.

Only 10% have an error rate of less than 1 degree C. That's 1.8 degree F.

And these are the measurements that the global warming hoaxers want us to believe justifies destroying our economy?

These are "settled science?"

I don't think so.



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On Twitter I am Lesabre1

Ask and you shall receive

GOD Is Busy


A United States Marine was taking some college courses between assignments. He had completed 20 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist, and a member of the ACLU.


One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, GOD if you are real then I want you to knock me off this platform.. I'll give you exactly 15 min.' The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, 'Here I am GOD, I'm still waiting.'


It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold.


The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently.


The other students were shocked and stunned, and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What in the world is the matter with you? Why did you do that?" The Marine calmly replied, "GOD was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid shit and act like an idiot. So He sent me."


Hat tip to Shawn L!





On Twitter I am Lesabre1

Shutting Detroit Down

I heard this morning that sales last week were down 5% over a year ago. In the meantime Obamie brags that unemployment has dropped a whole .2% to 10% and gasoline has went up about 80 cents a gallon in a year based on weaker demand.

I think "Shuttin Detroit Down says it all.



On Twitter I am Lesabre1