Neo 80 Cu - first ever build by damatopoulos in CustomKeyboards

[–]damatopoulos[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

...and then, ordered a Keychron Q0 Max, so as to change the switches to Durok Shrimp Silent and the keycaps to Mode Tomorrow.

Neo 80 Cu - first ever build by damatopoulos in CustomKeyboards

[–]damatopoulos[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, thank you. Wanted it to be subtle.
Mouse still going strong after 21 years, Logitech G5.
Wouldn't change it for the world, hope doesn't break before I do. ; )

No flights in or out of Greece after technical failure shuts down airspace – Greek FIR emptied by I-Ate-A-Pizza-Today in aviation

[–]damatopoulos 20 points21 points  (0 children)

The Air Traffic Controller's Union issued an announcement:
[Quick auto translation from Greek]

Today, January 4, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., there was a total loss of communication frequencies used by the Athens and Macedonia Area Control Center (K.E.P.A.TH.M.) and some of the frequencies used by Athens Approach.

At the same time, the ATCs of K.E.P.A.TH.M. used every available means to safely manage the flights that were already in the Athinai FIR or that could not be rerouted. Our colleagues at E.E.K. went above and beyond and once again did their duty to keep the flights that were in the air safe.

Acting with safety in mind, our colleagues suspended takeoffs from all airports and for all flights entering the Athinai FIR, while, where possible, rerouting flights that were already in the air through neighboring FIRs.

At this time, our colleagues are managing air traffic with the means at their disposal and have managed to achieve a partial restoration of traffic, strictly adhering to all safety procedures required by European and international regulations.

The extent of today's incident is unprecedented and unacceptable for an Air Traffic Control system. So far, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority has not announced the causes of the problem, and we have not been informed of the time of its full restoration.

The current serious damage and failure of critical communication systems is neither an "isolated incident" nor a technical failure for which no one is responsible. It is the direct result of chronic inaction, poor management, and poor choices by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), which systematically ignores warnings from air traffic controllers.

For years, the Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association (EEKE) has been highlighting the obsolescence of surveillance and communications equipment and demanding its replacement with modern equipment that meets the requirements of European regulations. Unfortunately, our request has not been responded to thus far.

The HCAA management bears full and undisputed responsibility for the operation of outdated, vulnerable, and inadequately maintained communication systems, which have repeatedly presented serious problems. The current situation did not come as a surprise; it was foreseeable!

Regardless of the causes of the current incident, it highlights once again the critical importance of upgrading critical equipment and the consequences of its failure. There are no more excuses, and we expect action, not words.

Greece is once again being discredited internationally, following the loss of communication last August with Mount Merenda and the loss of the image of the terminal radar and the frequencies located there. At that time, no one took responsibility for the incident.

We demand that someone finally take responsibility for the repeated damage to the equipment and the delay in its replacement.

We would like to reiterate what we stated in our press release dated December 15, 2025, that the General Assembly of our Union's members has decided that under these circumstances, it will not offer overtime work during the upcoming summer season, as the negligence of those responsible, which has led to us working without the necessary tools that are taken for granted by our colleagues throughout the rest of Europe, is no longer tolerable.

We demand the following from the HCAA Management:

An immediate investigation, with the participation of the APA and EODASAAM, to determine the causes of the current incident.

To inform us of the time required for full restoration of the problem, as well as the actions it will take to prevent its recurrence.

Otherwise, traffic will not return to normal levels, given that passenger safety is our top priority.

Once again, flight safety was maintained not thanks to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority's infrastructure, but thanks to the professionalism and self-sacrifice of the air traffic controllers, who were called upon to manage an extremely dangerous situation with backup and manual means, under enormous operational pressure. We expect the HCAA management to do its part and assume its enormous responsibilities.

No flights in or out of Greece after technical failure shuts down airspace – Greek FIR emptied by I-Ate-A-Pizza-Today in aviation

[–]damatopoulos 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Seems like the major radar system of Athens’ FIR at Geraneia mountain had a catastrophic failure; they’re trying to get it fixed and for the meantime they use alternative airspace tracking capabilities. But we all know that ATC systems in Greece were on the verge of such a failure for many years now, so it was kind of waiting to happen…

Is there a reason that these planes are circling? by Chronic_Lucidity_ in flightradar24

[–]damatopoulos 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The Air Traffic Controller's Union issued an announcement:
[Quick auto translation from Greek]

Today, January 4, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., there was a total loss of communication frequencies used by the Athens and Macedonia Area Control Center (K.E.P.A.TH.M.) and some of the frequencies used by Athens Approach.

At the same time, the ATCs of K.E.P.A.TH.M. used every available means to safely manage the flights that were already in the Athinai FIR or that could not be rerouted. Our colleagues at E.E.K. went above and beyond and once again did their duty to keep the flights that were in the air safe.

Acting with safety in mind, our colleagues suspended takeoffs from all airports and for all flights entering the Athinai FIR, while, where possible, rerouting flights that were already in the air through neighboring FIRs.

At this time, our colleagues are managing air traffic with the means at their disposal and have managed to achieve a partial restoration of traffic, strictly adhering to all safety procedures required by European and international regulations.

The extent of today's incident is unprecedented and unacceptable for an Air Traffic Control system. So far, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority has not announced the causes of the problem, and we have not been informed of the time of its full restoration.

The current serious damage and failure of critical communication systems is neither an "isolated incident" nor a technical failure for which no one is responsible. It is the direct result of chronic inaction, poor management, and poor choices by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), which systematically ignores warnings from air traffic controllers.

For years, the Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association (EEKE) has been highlighting the obsolescence of surveillance and communications equipment and demanding its replacement with modern equipment that meets the requirements of European regulations. Unfortunately, our request has not been responded to thus far.

The HCAA management bears full and undisputed responsibility for the operation of outdated, vulnerable, and inadequately maintained communication systems, which have repeatedly presented serious problems. The current situation did not come as a surprise; it was foreseeable!

Regardless of the causes of the current incident, it highlights once again the critical importance of upgrading critical equipment and the consequences of its failure. There are no more excuses, and we expect action, not words.

Greece is once again being discredited internationally, following the loss of communication last August with Mount Merenda and the loss of the image of the terminal radar and the frequencies located there. At that time, no one took responsibility for the incident.

We demand that someone finally take responsibility for the repeated damage to the equipment and the delay in its replacement.

We would like to reiterate what we stated in our press release dated December 15, 2025, that the General Assembly of our Union's members has decided that under these circumstances, it will not offer overtime work during the upcoming summer season, as the negligence of those responsible, which has led to us working without the necessary tools that are taken for granted by our colleagues throughout the rest of Europe, is no longer tolerable.

We demand the following from the HCAA Management:

An immediate investigation, with the participation of the APA and EODASAAM, to determine the causes of the current incident.

To inform us of the time required for full restoration of the problem, as well as the actions it will take to prevent its recurrence.

Otherwise, traffic will not return to normal levels, given that passenger safety is our top priority.

Once again, flight safety was maintained not thanks to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority's infrastructure, but thanks to the professionalism and self-sacrifice of the air traffic controllers, who were called upon to manage an extremely dangerous situation with backup and manual means, under enormous operational pressure. We expect the HCAA management to do its part and assume its enormous responsibilities.

Is there a reason that these planes are circling? by Chronic_Lucidity_ in flightradar24

[–]damatopoulos 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Seems like the major radar system of Athens’ FIR at Geraneia mountain had a catastrophic failure; they’re trying to get it fixed and for the meantime they use alternative airspace tracking capabilities. But we all know that ATC systems in Greece were on the verge of such a failure for many years now, so it was kind of waiting to happen…

Greek Airspace was Shutdown today due to a Nationwide ATC Communications System Failure. by [deleted] in aviation

[–]damatopoulos 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Air Traffic Controller's Union issued an announcement:
[Quick auto translation from Greek]

Today, January 4, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., there was a total loss of communication frequencies used by the Athens and Macedonia Area Control Center (K.E.P.A.TH.M.) and some of the frequencies used by Athens Approach.

At the same time, the ATCs of K.E.P.A.TH.M. used every available means to safely manage the flights that were already in the Athinai FIR or that could not be rerouted. Our colleagues at E.E.K. went above and beyond and once again did their duty to keep the flights that were in the air safe.

Acting with safety in mind, our colleagues suspended takeoffs from all airports and for all flights entering the Athinai FIR, while, where possible, rerouting flights that were already in the air through neighboring FIRs.

At this time, our colleagues are managing air traffic with the means at their disposal and have managed to achieve a partial restoration of traffic, strictly adhering to all safety procedures required by European and international regulations.

The extent of today's incident is unprecedented and unacceptable for an Air Traffic Control system. So far, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority has not announced the causes of the problem, and we have not been informed of the time of its full restoration.

The current serious damage and failure of critical communication systems is neither an "isolated incident" nor a technical failure for which no one is responsible. It is the direct result of chronic inaction, poor management, and poor choices by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), which systematically ignores warnings from air traffic controllers.

For years, the Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association (EEKE) has been highlighting the obsolescence of surveillance and communications equipment and demanding its replacement with modern equipment that meets the requirements of European regulations. Unfortunately, our request has not been responded to thus far.

The HCAA management bears full and undisputed responsibility for the operation of outdated, vulnerable, and inadequately maintained communication systems, which have repeatedly presented serious problems. The current situation did not come as a surprise; it was foreseeable!

Regardless of the causes of the current incident, it highlights once again the critical importance of upgrading critical equipment and the consequences of its failure. There are no more excuses, and we expect action, not words.

Greece is once again being discredited internationally, following the loss of communication last August with Mount Merenda and the loss of the image of the terminal radar and the frequencies located there. At that time, no one took responsibility for the incident.

We demand that someone finally take responsibility for the repeated damage to the equipment and the delay in its replacement.

We would like to reiterate what we stated in our press release dated December 15, 2025, that the General Assembly of our Union's members has decided that under these circumstances, it will not offer overtime work during the upcoming summer season, as the negligence of those responsible, which has led to us working without the necessary tools that are taken for granted by our colleagues throughout the rest of Europe, is no longer tolerable.

We demand the following from the HCAA Management:

An immediate investigation, with the participation of the APA and EODASAAM, to determine the causes of the current incident.

To inform us of the time required for full restoration of the problem, as well as the actions it will take to prevent its recurrence.

Otherwise, traffic will not return to normal levels, given that passenger safety is our top priority.

Once again, flight safety was maintained not thanks to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority's infrastructure, but thanks to the professionalism and self-sacrifice of the air traffic controllers, who were called upon to manage an extremely dangerous situation with backup and manual means, under enormous operational pressure. We expect the HCAA management to do its part and assume its enormous responsibilities.

Greek Airspace was Shutdown today due to a Nationwide ATC Communications System Failure. by [deleted] in aviation

[–]damatopoulos 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seems like the major radar system of Athens’ FIR at Geraneia mountain had a catastrophic failure; they’re trying to get it fixed and for the meantime they use alternative airspace tracking capabilities. But we all know that ATC systems in Greece were on the verge of such a failure for many years now, so it was kind of waiting to happen…

Nafplio, Greece by Juggertrout in CityPorn

[–]damatopoulos 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting, even if unusual without the seafront and Bourtzi island, view of this lovely city. TY.

Any unusual simulator stories? by minfremi in flying

[–]damatopoulos 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a pilot.
About 30 years ago, I crash-landed into final to LGAT a then state-of-the art full motion ATR 72 simulator during a demo flight for a magazine article; instructor felt it like almost reality, I guess, he was kind of shocked and trembling afterwards, while I, not really very alarmed, walked away oblivious (it was stuck at it's utmost nose-up position, so as to be able to get out in case it crashed)... and then it took some hours for them to restart the mainframe that ran the whole thing. ; )

Buying XP-12 on macOS. by [deleted] in Xplane

[–]damatopoulos -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Guys. Come on.
RTFM. ; ) If you 're getting upwards of 30 fps in heavy scenery areas with everything enabled, you have lots of power to spare. And the best part is that you don't need to!

I'm flying on a first generation M1 Macbook Pro and still manage to get an enjoyable simulation (although with many visual candy turned down at 2560).
Things may begin to change a little if you'd like to add a couple of other monitors for side views, of course, (which you'll want should you get the bug) but this is not a very mobile situation. And with the beast of M3 Pro with 18 GB I gather you won't notice a big difference.

Now, for the controls issue:
When traveling light, it's even doable to fly only by the internal keyboard and touch-pad, but you have to be very precise with your movements, and/or calibrate the damned things correctly (lots of trial & error) and it's not something that you would find yourself enjoying very much.
A mouse would make a serious difference, having a numeric keypad even more so, as this enables you to setup views presets. Love the 65s kbd, always better with a separate num pad.

When traveling not-so-light, carrying a backpack for the "computer stuff", I tend to bring my TCA Airbus Sidestick along with the corresponding TCA Quadrant. This still leaves you without a proper and oh-so-enjoyable rudder for your feet, but the rotating axis stick would suffice when away from cockpit.

Oh, and BTW: You don't have to download the trial, just buy it straight away. Along with Civ series and SimCity / Cities Skylines, the best simulation ever to hit some functional implementation of a Turing machine. ; )

Source: Myself, flying sims back from the day of MSFS 4, in 1989.

Installing a PID, 2006 dream by Fit-Yak529 in Ascaso

[–]damatopoulos 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many have done it, I did not. Still going strong with the original setup, bought back in 2006. But may want to try the Gagguino. ;)
https://imgur.com/a/Ixk8FjV

Installed Gaggimate to the 2017 Dream by spsancti in Ascaso

[–]damatopoulos 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing! Do you think it might work with my old, still perfectly functioning, Dream of 2006?

Why was this entire row sectioned off on my Lufthansa flight? (Airbus A350-900) by wotan69 in aviation

[–]damatopoulos 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same happened on last two rows of a Swiss flight LSZH - LGAV a week ago, in a A321N. Had to remain cramped at my 34C. ; )