That's my point about the autopilot. Theoretically you launch the thing & fly it to the desired altitude. Then set the A/P & forget about it. The guy at the other end lands it at the appropriate time. It's a wonderful technical achivement but doesn't require any great flying skill. IMHO

I also think it's more than a tad dangerous, especially if others try to copy it, which they undoubtedly will.

Ya know...the more I think about this story, the more I realize the significance of it.

I mean, sure, the guy didn't fly the thing the whole way manually.

And yes, it happened during the centennial year.

But this story, as seemingly insignificant as it may be, really has some unforseen value.

Think about it...when was the last time we had an aviation first like this?  (Even if you include the space program, which I'm not for the sake of this discussion, there hasn't been one in ages...)

Back in the day you had guys and gals like the Wright Brothers, Lindbergh, Yeager, Jimmy Doolittle....

But we just don't have things happen anymore, because we've just about conquered earthbound flight.

So in it's own quirky little way, this is really cool, if you put it in the proper perspective.  It brings aviation accomplishments to an entirely new generation...

Quote:

Precisely. That takes skill, just like the short cross-countries I've done in the past following the model on foot over all kinds of terrain. Some of our club members flew a glider from Ditchling Beacon to Shoreham Airport with the pilot sitting in the back of a pick-up truck driven along the main roads. Not a great distance but extremely difficult & skilled flying. This is my whole point.

My problem is not with the achievement. It's the description "R/C MODEL FLIES ACROSS THE ATLANTIC!!! ". This is either unintentionally or deliberately misleading. It might have RC equipment aboard (for take-off & landing only) but to all intents & purposes it's a miniature cruise missile........!!!!!!!
I find this thought a tad frightening.

At least it's good publicity for the engine manufacturers. Good old OS .60 four-stroke.

If I recall the information on the fellow - wasn't he involved in the design of UAVs?
  This is just a miniature UAV....

F

Quote:

Isn't that how Jeffrey Dahmer started out?  LOL

Time for some "My Cousin Vinny" Psychology.  (Great movie...)


Lemme axe you sumptin'....imagine you're a hamstah.  You've got your little furry ears, and your little furry fingahs. 

You're running around your little metal wheel, everything is great.  You bring your little furry nose up to the little metal tube to take a sip of watah.

BAM! 

You're flat on the ****in' sidewalk, with a tiny scrap of trash bag covering your bloody corpse.

Now I axe ya.  Are you gonna give a **** whethah you were pushed or if you jumped?


LOL

Quote:


they perished in the line of duty, and thats that   at that time they didnt have the safety device on (a string tied to them) and the chute failed to open