* Posts by Kent Martin

3 publicly visible posts • joined 3 Jan 2008

Vodafone chief tells mobile users he knows where they live

Kent Martin

What a load of bollocks

"The mobile internet won't reach its potential, he said, unless phones deliver "world-class user experience." And this won't happen with "dozens" of mobile operating systems competing for phones."

A good part of the reason that the current internet is so successful is that it isn't boxed in by vendors/platforms/os's. On what planet would one think that it'd be likely for customers to flock from an unrestricted environment to a more restricted on? Where have we seen customer ever flock to a more restricted model (all other factors being equal)?

Autothrottle problems suspected in Heathrow 777 crash

Kent Martin
Go

Thust vs stall

Stall speed is a bit more complicated than just mentioned.... it is a while since I did the theory, but stall speed increases as a function of speed, and, a function of the square of the angle of bank and angle of attack.

It is perfectly possible to stall wings with a 0 angle of bank (wings level) and a very high speed... just pull very hard.

One would assume that this guy was coming in wings level, but, my point is, the software isn't as simple as you mentioned. Add to that gusts of wind unexpected variations in thrust & control input (commanded and uncommanded) etc, and things start to get quite tricky indeed.

I've never heard of your 2 hours on one engine rule, but that isn't to say it isn't true, but the implication that an 'over-powerable' single engine gets you out of trouble all the time is a bit off the mark.

Conventional aviation logic dictates that a landing approach is something that will only turn into a landing if all goes well - if the correct conditions fail to transpire a go round will be initiated. If an engine fails at the beginning of go round (or just before takeoff), it is quite possible that the aircraft will not have the performance to clear requisite obstacles etc (although this threat may be eliminated by safety regs in commercial arenas).

Where I trained, most of the instructors said that if you lose an engine on takeoff at this airport, pull both throttles and roll through the fence and across the main road outside.

Mobile phone users should drive faster says prof

Kent Martin
Stop

The view from 2 wheels

Whilst I've no idea about the hands free kits, when I am on the motorcycle, particularly whilst filtering, if I see someone on a mobile (without a handsfree device) I can almost guarantee that they haven't seen me, even if I am right next to them. 'Normal' drivers don't always notice me until I am level with them, but they almost always notice then.