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To: GovernmentShrinker; Da Coyote
The miracle of the Gimli Glider was an example of how valuable fundamental knowledge of low-tech/no-tech flying can be.

You forgot the more recent example of US Airways 1549, also commanded by a pilot familiar with glider control.

59 posted on 06/27/2009 8:30:02 AM PDT by Erik Latranyi (Too many conservatives urge retreat when the war of politics doesn't go their way.)
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To: Erik Latranyi

Yes, I was just now looking at the Wikipedia page on 1549 and saw that Sullenberger was also a glider pilot. I think I’d pay extra to be on flights with a captain or first officer that was an expereienced glider pilot. Though to be honest, I don’t think Sullenberger had much opportunity to use his glider pilot skills for the Hudson ditch. The bird strike was at 3:27:01, at 3:29:03 Sullenberger responded “Yes” to TRACON asking if he wanted to land at Teterboro, and the plane hit the water at 3:30:30. Turned out there were very few choices to be made, not to mention almost no time to make them in. Gravity ruled. He sure did get the landing angle perfect though, and that certainly didn’t happen by itself.


60 posted on 06/27/2009 8:57:26 AM PDT by GovernmentShrinker
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