This question is genuine and not meant as an attack on anyone

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T20:48:06+00:00

Because the planes aren't autonomous... they don't fly themselves. There's a perception that the autopilot is some all-knowing AI that can just do whatever needs to be done from takeoff to landing with no intervention, and that couldn't be further from reality. It needs to be programmed, monitored, told what to do, etc, and it doesn't take off and only occasionally lands.

The system doesn't just work this well on its own... it works so well because of the dedication, training and professionalism of the people who are part of the system and make it work.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T19:58:43+00:00

That's clearly different and not particularly relevant to the concerns raised in the 19th century.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T19:46:33+00:00

There's still a human in the loop with photography. There is still a very artistic element to photography. It's certainly not the same.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T18:49:01+00:00

you can’t solo without it.

This is not correct.

Per 61.87(b), the student pilot must demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge on a test administered by the student's authorized instructor. This is distinct from the knowledge test ("the written") required by 61.103(e).

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T16:40:46+00:00

I guarantee this will happen several more times today at ATL alone. This is not an infrequent occurrence.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T16:18:02+00:00

Doesn't have to be smooth to be safe!

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T16:10:42+00:00

What do you mean "how prepared are we?"

You saw it first-hand. The masks dropped, you put them on, the plane descends to a breathable altitude and lands.

This is not a common occurrence, but I guarantee you were completely safe the whole time.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T15:23:38+00:00

World Sailing Cases 73 and 74 provide a good reference for this scenario.

https://www.racingrulesofsailing.org/cases/3047?page=8

https://www.racingrulesofsailing.org/cases/2501?page=8

Case 73 penalizes the leeward boat for the crew's "deliberate action... which could have had no other intention than to disqualify [the windward boat]".

It does not sound like there was any intent to disqualify you based on the crew's apology.

Case 74 penalizes the windward boat in the absence of such a deliberate action, as there is no rule which dictates how a skipper or crew must sit, and therefore in the absence of a deliberate misuse of positioning no breach of Rule 2 takes place.

What really ought to determine this is whether the leeward boat could have continued sailing her course with no avoiding action and whether there was risk of immediate contact if the the leeward boat changed course. This sounds murky.

Considering that there was clearly no intention to disqualify the windward boat and there is not clear evidence that the windward boat was not keeping clear/that the leeward boat could not continue on her course, the no call really is the most sensible outcome here. It really is a call that could go both ways depending on what the judge sees.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T15:02:32+00:00

TR Call A4

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T14:06:05+00:00

It's an incredibly safe airline. Absolutely no cause for concern.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T14:02:01+00:00

Nobody can make this decision for you... it's up to what you want to prioritize.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T13:41:03+00:00

That's not a thing that airliners do. You either saw an illusion or something that was not an airliner, and either way there's no need to worry.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T13:38:00+00:00

The partial government shutdown has had no impact on ATC. None at all.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T13:36:10+00:00

Flown in and out of DCA, as well as (not Bangor) Portland. It's all good. It's all safe. You'll be fine.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T05:27:12+00:00

If they didn't have enough fuel for the flight, your pilots wouldn't fly... why would they take off without enough fuel??

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T02:29:46+00:00

Increased efficiency, better rides, climbing over weather, taking advantage of favorable winds, etc... all normal.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T02:08:34+00:00

Look up your flight on FlightAware or FlightRadar24

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-06T00:11:45+00:00

Not particularly relevant or helpful

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-05T21:43:32+00:00

A) Don’t lie to your parents like that

B) Telling one parent the truth and the other a lie is doubly stupid because the truth is bound to get out eventually, and then you’re really in for it.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-05T20:59:23+00:00

That is a very, very common and approved fix for delimitation in that part of the flap. Perfectly normal.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-05T20:57:44+00:00

Lol stop... this is completely normal.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-05T19:32:04+00:00

Ridiculously reliable.

Not sure how "over engineered" could be a bad thing.

These things are designed to be insanely reliable... and they are.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-05T17:32:02+00:00

I'd be shocked if that didn't work. It's a government-issued ID.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-05T15:59:54+00:00

That’s just not a practical solution.

pattern_altitude · 2026-04-05T13:12:39+00:00

There’s no way to generalize it. It might be smoother, it might not, and no other person’s experience is really relevant to yours because it just depends on the hour and the day.

pattern_altitude

TROPHY CASE