Please turn off all personal electronic devices

[electronboy]

The part that bothers me is that the L1011 was discontinued YEARS before the West Wing debuted. The least they could have done was mention a plane actually in production.

That was the point! Even though West Wing was FICTION Boeing or Airbus would have at the minimum sent a nasty letter from their lawyers or worse had West Wing made any statement about a current airplane.

People are way more freaked out to fly than drive although you are 10 times (at least) more likely to have an accident in your car than on an airplane.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

West Wing, Pilot episode...

FLIGHT ATTENDANT 1 [VO]
We ask at this time that you turn off all electronic devices, stow your tray tables and return your setbacks to the full and upright position. We will be landing shortly at Washington-Dulles Airport.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT 2
[approaches Toby] Sir, I need you to turn off your computer.

TOBY ZIEGLER
I’m just about done.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT 2
I need you to turn off your laptop, sir. It interferes with our navigational systems.

TOBY
You know when you guys say that, it sounds ridiculous to most people, right?

FLIGHT ATTENDANT 2
Sir...

Another Flight Attendant approaches.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT 3
Mr. Ziegler? A message was just patched up to the cockpit for you. I’m not sure I’ve got it right. POTUS in a bicycle accident?

TOBY
[stops typing and looks up] You got it right. [reaches for his cell phone]

FLIGHT ATTENDANT 2
You can’t use your phone until we land, sir.

TOBY
We’re flying in a Lockheed eagle series L-1011. It came off the line 20 months ago and carries a Sim-5 Transponder tracking system. Are you telling me I can still flummox this thing with something I bought at Radio Shack?

Loved this scene. It rings certain truths perhaps. Only because not even our government can say for sure what risks electronic devices pose for the safety of flight.

The only certain value in safety is that loose articles in the cabin can cause personal injury. These injuries are most likely to occur in take off and landings.

As to cell phones in flight, there has not been clear evidence that they affect the performance of the aircraft, when they work. IMO it has been a profit motive between the airlines and Airphone (Verizon). In the past day or two Verizon has announced the end of the Airphone. Guess too few users, and the reality that some have been able to use their cell phones in flight.

In the end the airlines and our government needs to be open and honest as to why the "electronic restrictions" are in place. Is it for the safety of flying objects during the the crucial stages of take-off and landings? Or is there very hard evidence of these devices interfering? So far the the emperical evidence puts to shame the use of every iPod, CD player, handheld game machine, and cell phone.

My guess, other than a stated desire to make sure the cabin is secure of fly objects - it is easiest to require passengers to avail themselves of the expensive Airphone option. Under the guise that it was the only safe method.

 

[matticus008]

That was the point! Even though West Wing was FICTION Boeing or Airbus would have at the minimum sent a nasty letter from their lawyers or worse had West Wing made any statement about a current airplane.

A letter for what? It's a mocking of federal regulations which apply to all aircraft, both in and out of production. They didn't insinuate substandard performance and the regulation is a federal one, not a manufacturer-imposed restriction. If anyone would send a letter, it would be the FAA and/or FCC, neither of which care about the plane's make or model. It's possible that they would have to pay royalties for use of a branded nameplate, but I'd expect Lockheed-Martin to ask the same, as they still control all service marks for the Tristar.

 

[aquajet]

The part that bothers me is that the L1011 was discontinued YEARS before the West Wing debuted. The least they could have done was mention a plane actually in production.

The fact that the production line was closed years ago doesn't really matter. There were several Tristars still in service in 1999 (at the time of the West Wing pilot episode). Delta retired its fleet in 2001. These days, AFAIK, American Trans Air is the only US operator of the Tristar, used for charters only, and only a handful at that. Too bad it wasn't as successful as the DC-10. 🙁

 

[matticus008]

The fact that the production line was closed years ago doesn't really matter. There were several Tristars still in service in 1999 (at the time of the West Wing pilot episode). Delta retired its fleet in 2001. These days, AFAIK, American Trans Air is the only US operator of the Tristar, used for charters only, and only a handful at that. Too bad it wasn't as successful as the DC-10. 🙁

In service, yes, but the dialogue implies that the aircraft is 20 months old, and the West Wing was generally free of anachronistic references and was solid and consistent, with this glaring exception (aside from the 2 year shift of the timeline, of course).

 

[nbarnett]

Landing Hard

The choice between 20 mins without music/film and possible risk of painful firey death is not a difficult one.

Actually, wouldn't a plunge from 20,000 feet straight down be of the least painful deaths imaginable? Terrifying sure, but at least we could enjoy one landing in our lives when we are actually allowed to listen to our ipod.

 

[Killyp]

My dad told me there was once a time when someone was listening to a discman on a plane while the pilots were checking the instruments, and the readouts told them they were stalling (on the ground!?!?). I think they do have an effect, and having seen how touchy the airports are about security (that girl being arrested for joking about carrying a bomb), I wouldn't want to disagree with them!

 

[fedup flyer]

I want to say the world record for the heavies glider was set by a 777. If not I know it was a large airplane over Hawanian islands and for like 15-20mins (dont rememeber the exact number or plane). What happen was a voloncic equration cause the enginees to get clog and shut down. .

No, it was a British Airways 747 near Indoesia. I know because I am forced to watch the video ever year during re-current ground school.

There was also a KLM 74 that had a 4 engine flameout near Mt Redoubt up in AK.

 

[fedup flyer]

Nobody knows how long a 777 could stay aloft with both engines out because they don't test the aircraft for this situation. Also, winds have no effect on airspeed, only ground speed, so wind has no influence on the time an airplane can remain airborne without thrust, only the distance over the ground that can be covered.

Sure they test for this. Its called drift down speed and its published in the manufacters data and is available to the crew in table format or spaghetti charts.

 

[mkrishnan]

Please don't bump up ancient threads just to show your 1337 knowledge.