Simviation Forum - Well, metrics can be confusing..

Apr 9^th, 2012 at 8:24pm

Steve M Offline
Colonel
Cambridge On.

Gender:
Posts: 4097

I was scrolling through comments under a Yahoo news article and this little gem piped up! She is my kind of girl!

Flying with twins is a lot of fun..

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #1 - Apr 9^th, 2012 at 8:33pm

wahubna Offline
Colonel
WMU Bronco
Michigan

Gender:
Posts: 1064

Something that is puzzling about the whole metric vs english debate: In the aeronautical engineering program, we use english frequently. You have no idea just how horrible the english system can be until you start messing a lot with slugs, lbf, lbm, etc. Personally I love the metric system.

‎"At that time [1909] the chief engineer was almost always the chief test pilot as well. That had the fortunate result of eliminating poor engineering early in aviation."- Igor Sikorsky

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #2 - Apr 9^th, 2012 at 9:22pm

Steve M Offline
Colonel
Cambridge On.

Gender:
Posts: 4097

wahubna wrote on Apr 9^th, 2012 at 8:33pm:

Something that is puzzling about the whole metric vs english debate: In the aeronautical engineering program, we use english frequently. You have no idea just how horrible the english system can be until you start messing a lot with slugs, lbf, lbm, etc. Personally I love the metric system.

Metric vs Imperial.

I get along quite well with metric but this poor girl made me laugh!

Flying with twins is a lot of fun..

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #3 - Apr 9^th, 2012 at 9:44pm

Xpand Offline
Colonel
Expert on flying bricks.
Portugal

Gender:
Posts: 381

I mean, really?

I believe it isn't hard to understand which one is simpler to use... Grin

Up is the way to go.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #4 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 3:42am

jetprop Offline
Colonel
A freeware addict!
a chair infront of a monitor.

Posts: 1523

3 feet=roughly 1m.
Thats all I need to know. Grin

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #5 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 3:47am

andy190 Offline
Colonel
This is the voice of the
Mysterons...
Havelock North, NZ

Gender:
Posts: 1368

1 Yard = Roughly 1 m.

1 Rod = 16.5 ft. Shocked

Quote:

metric vs english

You Americans use the Imperial System to. Don't blame it on the English. Angry

Intel Core i5-2310 CPU @ 2.90GHz, 6GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450, Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, Logitech Extreme 3D Pro

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #6 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 3:52am

jetprop Offline
Colonel
A freeware addict!
a chair infront of a monitor.

Posts: 1523

The english invented the imperial system. Grin

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #7 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 4:05am

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

jetprop wrote on Apr 10^th, 2012 at 3:52am:

The english invented the imperial system. Grin

That's true but the old English system (pre-1824) is different from Imperial. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_units

US units of measurement can be different from Imperial used in the UK, for example 1 Imperial Gallon = 1.201 US Gallons.

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #8 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 4:05am

andy190 Offline
Colonel
This is the voice of the
Mysterons...
Havelock North, NZ

Gender:
Posts: 1368

jetprop wrote on Apr 10^th, 2012 at 3:52am:

The english invented the imperial system. Grin

They did, but it can't be blamed entirely on the English. The Americans adopted the Imperial System as well & they even changed it a bit.

Intel Core i5-2310 CPU @ 2.90GHz, 6GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450, Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, Logitech Extreme 3D Pro

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #9 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 4:32am

Fozzer Offline
Colonel
An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861

Having been taught the Imperial System of Measurement since my School days in the 1930's, and used it throughout the whole of my working life. as an engineer and design draughtsman, together with all my working colleagues, the Metric system is obviously unfamiliar to me, and I constantly have to convert from Metric back to Imperial, to make any sense of it.

Daily Supermarket shopping, involving Metric weights and length are a nightmare for me.

I will be buried in an Imperial-sized box, and clutching a picture of Queen Victoria close to my breast.... Smiley

...!

One 304,8 mm (foot) in the grave doesn't sound quite the same Tongue

...!

Paul.... Smiley

...!

..Oh...and did I mention, the measurement of distance/length is the Metre...NOT the Meter. (A Meter is an instrument for measuring).

Dell Dimension 5000 BTX Tower. Win7 Home Edition, 32 Bit. Intel Pentium 4, dual 2.8 GHz. 2.5GB RAM, nVidia GF 9500GT 1GB. SATA 500GB + 80GB. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Micronet ADSL Modem only. Saitek Cyborg Evo Force. FS 2004 + FSX. Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower...Motor Bikes. Gas Cooker... and lots of musical instruments!.... ...!
Yamaha MO6,MM6,DX7,DX11,DX21,DX100,MK100,EMT10,PSR400,PSS780,Roland GW-8L v2,TR505,Casio MT-205,Korg CX3v2 dual manual,+ Leslie 760,M-Audio Prokeys88,KeyRig,Cubase,Keyfax4,Guitars,Orchestral,Baroque,Renaissance,Medieval Instruments.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #10 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 4:43am

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

andy190 wrote on Apr 10^th, 2012 at 4:05am:

They did, but it can't be blamed entirely on the English. The Americans adopted the Imperial System as well & they even changed it a bit.

I believe it was us (the Brits) who changed it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_customary_units#History

Fozzer wrote on Apr 10^th, 2012 at 4:32am:

Having been taught the Imperial System of Measurement since my School days in the 1930's, and used it throughout the whole of my working life. as an engineer and design draughtsman, together with all my working colleagues, the Metric system is obviously unfamiliar to me, and I constantly have to convert from Metric back to Imperial, to make any sense of it.

I'm in a similar position Paul. I have no problem working with metric units but I naturally think in Imperial. I can visualise exactly what a pound weight, foot or even a mile is but kilograms or kilometres make no sense to me at all. Huh

I imagine the opposite is true for anyone brought up using the Metric system.

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #11 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 4:59am

Fozzer Offline
Colonel
An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861

My self-employed builder Son mentions that he often has problems fitting modern Metric-sized windows and doors into Imperial-sized holes in the walls of (older) buildings!

My 1960's house has Imperial-sized, windows and doors, holes in its walls, which often give problems with windows and door replacements...big surrounding gaps to create, or fill in!

Paul...Life is far too short to learn new; "things".... Grin

...!

Dell Dimension 5000 BTX Tower. Win7 Home Edition, 32 Bit. Intel Pentium 4, dual 2.8 GHz. 2.5GB RAM, nVidia GF 9500GT 1GB. SATA 500GB + 80GB. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Micronet ADSL Modem only. Saitek Cyborg Evo Force. FS 2004 + FSX. Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower...Motor Bikes. Gas Cooker... and lots of musical instruments!.... ...!
Yamaha MO6,MM6,DX7,DX11,DX21,DX100,MK100,EMT10,PSR400,PSS780,Roland GW-8L v2,TR505,Casio MT-205,Korg CX3v2 dual manual,+ Leslie 760,M-Audio Prokeys88,KeyRig,Cubase,Keyfax4,Guitars,Orchestral,Baroque,Renaissance,Medieval Instruments.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #12 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 7:20am

hyperpep111 Offline
Colonel
You'll Never See Me Coming.
93 million miles from sun

Gender:
Posts: 1328

This is what all teachers should do.
Anyway online comments are not known for being the brightest bulbs in the box. Grin

Most people think that flying a plane is dangerous, except pilots because they know how easy it is.
Arguing with a pilot is like wrestling with a pig in the mud, after a while you begin to think the pig likes it.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #13 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 7:41am

Xpand Offline
Colonel
Expert on flying bricks.
Portugal

Gender:
Posts: 381

Fozzer wrote on Apr 10^th, 2012 at 4:32am:

..Oh...and did I mention, the measurement of distance/length is the Metre...NOT the Meter. (A Meter is an instrument for measuring).

From wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metre ):

" The metre (meter in the US), symbol m, is the base unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). Originally intended to be one ten-millionth of the distance from the Earth's equator to the North Pole (at sea level), its definition has been periodically refined to reflect growing knowledge of metrology. Since 1983, it has been defined as "the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1 ⁄ 299,792,458 of a second."

Basically it means that 1 meters is equal to (1/c)*c, being c the speed of light

Up is the way to go.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #14 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 8:24am

FSX_Dude Offline
Colonel
I'm a dude that plays
FSX need any more info?
Near M34

Gender:
Posts: 535

Rednecks like me use the English (imperial) system its eas for me Tongue

I don't need a Sign.....wait......Damn!

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #15 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 9:51am

Mike.. Offline
Colonel
Beer is the answer, I
can't remember the question.
Fayetteville NC

Gender:
Posts: 1688

This is like the 2nd or 3rd time the measurement system has come up and all I hear in my head is.....

"A 5 ounce bird can't carry a one pound coconut"

"it's not a question of where he grips it,it's all about weight ratios"

Cheesy

Mike...Monte Python fanatic Grin

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #16 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 3:33pm

machineman9 Offline
Colonel
Nantwich, England

Gender:
Posts: 5255

4 meter cable?

How big is their meter?

I could understand if they used a metre long meter, or if it was a 4ft meter, but a meter by itself is arbitrary Grin

Metre = The metric use, and basis of Scientific Imperial units. In context, one cubic metre of water is 1000kg, which is one tonne which is 1000 litres. Not really a definition... More of a circular observation Tongue

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #17 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 5:25pm

andy190 Offline
Colonel
This is the voice of the
Mysterons...
Havelock North, NZ

Gender:
Posts: 1368

Mike.. wrote on Apr 10^th, 2012 at 9:51am:

This is like the 2nd or 3rd time the measurement system has come up and all I hear in my head is.....

"A 5 ounce bird can't carry a one pound coconut"

"it's not a question of where he grips it,it's all about weight ratios"

Cheesy

Mike...Monte Python fanatic Grin

“It could be carried by an African Swallow.”

“Oh yea an African Swallow maybe.”

“But not by a European Swallow, that's my point.”

“But then of course African Swallows are non-migratory.“

Grin

P.S. Mike, Monty Python is spelt Monty Python, not Monte. Wink

Intel Core i5-2310 CPU @ 2.90GHz, 6GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450, Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, Logitech Extreme 3D Pro

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #18 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 5:39pm

H Offline
Colonel
2003: the year NH couldn't
save face...
NH, USA

Gender:
Posts: 6837

Fozzer wrote on Apr 10^th, 2012 at 4:32am:

..Oh...and did I mention, the measurement of distance/length is the Metre...NOT the Meter. (A Meter is an instrument for measuring).

The former version of the Imperial System is what you left us with during that extended tea party thing near the end of the 18th century. Now this metric thing has entered the scene and we have a set of SAE wrenches and sockets -- and a set of metric wrenches and sockets (although ½" sometimes substitutes for 13mm and 3/8" for 10mm); the metre spelling looks French so the meter spelling is instrumental.

andy190 wrote on Apr 10^th, 2012 at 5:25pm:

“But then of course African Swallows are none migratory.“
P.S. Mike, Monty Python is spelt Monty Python, not Monte.

...and, if not migratory, they are non-migratory... but, of course, none may be migratory.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #19 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 6:36pm

Fozzer Offline
Colonel
An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861

I/we can but blame the French for all my/our confusion with this newfangled Metric System....

...and note the use of the word spelling; "Metre", for the measurement of distance...because its French...and they invented it...!

For "Meter" read; Gas Meter, Electric Meter, Speedometer, Altimeter...

The inventors thereof...>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metric_system

Paul...getting Metricated...A painful operation!... Shocked

...!

I dread the day when all our UK road distances are signposted in ~~Kilometers~~ Kilometres instead of Miles!
It always appears strange to me that the US use Kilometres instead of Miles for all their Road signs.
(And in Australia and New Zealand?).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_the_United_States

Dell Dimension 5000 BTX Tower. Win7 Home Edition, 32 Bit. Intel Pentium 4, dual 2.8 GHz. 2.5GB RAM, nVidia GF 9500GT 1GB. SATA 500GB + 80GB. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Micronet ADSL Modem only. Saitek Cyborg Evo Force. FS 2004 + FSX. Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower...Motor Bikes. Gas Cooker... and lots of musical instruments!.... ...!
Yamaha MO6,MM6,DX7,DX11,DX21,DX100,MK100,EMT10,PSR400,PSS780,Roland GW-8L v2,TR505,Casio MT-205,Korg CX3v2 dual manual,+ Leslie 760,M-Audio Prokeys88,KeyRig,Cubase,Keyfax4,Guitars,Orchestral,Baroque,Renaissance,Medieval Instruments.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #20 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 7:32pm

Steve M Offline
Colonel
Cambridge On.

Gender:
Posts: 4097

When road signs are in Kilometers it always seems like you are getting somewhere faster. Wink

But without imperial,
How could you walk a mile in his shoes?
How could you say "I'd walk a mile for a Camel?"
How could you make a movie called "The Green Mile"?
Cheesy

"Give him a centimeter and he'll take a kilometer", doesn't have the same punch! Grin

(insert metre if you wish!)

Flying with twins is a lot of fun..

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #21 - Apr 10^th, 2012 at 8:26pm

machineman9 Offline
Colonel
Nantwich, England

Gender:
Posts: 5255

Fozzer wrote on Apr 10^th, 2012 at 6:36pm:

I/we can but blame the French for all my/our confusion with this newfangled Metric System....

...and note the use of the word spelling; "Metre", for the measurement of distance...because its French...and they invented it...!

For "Meter" read; Gas Meter, Electric Meter, Speedometer, Altimeter...

The inventors thereof...>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metric_system

Paul...getting Metricated...A painful operation!... Shocked

...!

I dread the day when all our UK road distances are signposted in ~~Kilometers~~ Kilometres instead of Miles!
It always appears strange to me that the US use Kilometres instead of Miles for all their Road signs.
(And in Australia and New Zealand?).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_the_United_States

I honestly believe that there should be a new, blended, system.

I love using metres, litres, grams, etc... But road distance just has to be miles, and cider just has to be in pints Grin

Impetric

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #22 - Apr 11^th, 2012 at 6:29am

jetprop Offline
Colonel
A freeware addict!
a chair infront of a monitor.

Posts: 1523

England is one of the few countries that use the imperial system...
I came to the conclusion:English people are old fashioned. Grin

(Fozzer is a clear example. Grin

)

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #23 - Apr 11^th, 2012 at 6:46am

Fozzer Offline
Colonel
An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861

jetprop wrote on Apr 11^th, 2012 at 6:29am:

England is one of the few countries that use the imperial system...
I came to the conclusion:English people are old fashioned. Grin

(Fozzer is a clear example. Grin

)

I will be; "Old Fashioned" 'till the day I die...

...trust me!... Grin

...

...!

Sainsbury's are complaining about my use of Roman Coins at the check-out!... Sad

...!

My Cheque Book is made of Papyrus Paper.

..and my Quill Pen is made from Goose Feathers, and written with blood extracted from small, annoying little Children)... Wink

...

...!

Paul... Grin

...

...!

Dell Dimension 5000 BTX Tower. Win7 Home Edition, 32 Bit. Intel Pentium 4, dual 2.8 GHz. 2.5GB RAM, nVidia GF 9500GT 1GB. SATA 500GB + 80GB. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Micronet ADSL Modem only. Saitek Cyborg Evo Force. FS 2004 + FSX. Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower...Motor Bikes. Gas Cooker... and lots of musical instruments!.... ...!
Yamaha MO6,MM6,DX7,DX11,DX21,DX100,MK100,EMT10,PSR400,PSS780,Roland GW-8L v2,TR505,Casio MT-205,Korg CX3v2 dual manual,+ Leslie 760,M-Audio Prokeys88,KeyRig,Cubase,Keyfax4,Guitars,Orchestral,Baroque,Renaissance,Medieval Instruments.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #24 - Apr 11^th, 2012 at 6:57am

andy190 Offline
Colonel
This is the voice of the
Mysterons...
Havelock North, NZ

Gender:
Posts: 1368

jetprop wrote on Apr 11^th, 2012 at 6:29am:

England is one of the few countries that use the imperial system...
I came to the conclusion:English people are old fashioned. Grin

(Fozzer is a clear example. Grin

)

So what, they smell bad & dress bad? Grin

That sounds just like Paul. Grin

Intel Core i5-2310 CPU @ 2.90GHz, 6GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450, Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, Logitech Extreme 3D Pro

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #25 - Apr 11^th, 2012 at 7:19am

Fozzer Offline
Colonel
An elderly FS 2004 addict!
Hereford. England. EGBS.

Posts: 24861

andy190 wrote on Apr 11^th, 2012 at 6:57am:

jetprop wrote on Apr 11^th, 2012 at 6:29am:

England is one of the few countries that use the imperial system...
I came to the conclusion:English people are old fashioned. Grin

(Fozzer is a clear example. Grin

)

So what, they smell bad & dress bad? Grin

That sounds just like Paul. Grin

Fozzer wrote on Apr 11^th, 2012 at 6:46am:

..and my Quill Pen is made from Goose Feathers, and written with blood extracted from small, annoying little Children)... Wink

...

...!

Paul... Grin

...

...!

..be very afraid... Wink

...

New Zealand is but a few minutes away in flight Sim 2004...

..trust me... Smiley

...!

Paul...sharpening my Quill... Wink

...

...!

Dell Dimension 5000 BTX Tower. Win7 Home Edition, 32 Bit. Intel Pentium 4, dual 2.8 GHz. 2.5GB RAM, nVidia GF 9500GT 1GB. SATA 500GB + 80GB. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Micronet ADSL Modem only. Saitek Cyborg Evo Force. FS 2004 + FSX. Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower...Motor Bikes. Gas Cooker... and lots of musical instruments!.... ...!
Yamaha MO6,MM6,DX7,DX11,DX21,DX100,MK100,EMT10,PSR400,PSS780,Roland GW-8L v2,TR505,Casio MT-205,Korg CX3v2 dual manual,+ Leslie 760,M-Audio Prokeys88,KeyRig,Cubase,Keyfax4,Guitars,Orchestral,Baroque,Renaissance,Medieval Instruments.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #26 - Apr 11^th, 2012 at 8:26am

Bass Offline
Colonel
Love flying.
Scandinavia

Gender:
Posts: 996

After been reading Fozzer's posts in several threads, i think i will reinstall fs2004 and then make it run IMPERIAL! Just hoping i have enough GALLIONS to come home again. Wink

"Just try to be YOU".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw23LQkvg_k

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #27 - Apr 11^th, 2012 at 3:35pm

andy190 Offline
Colonel
This is the voice of the
Mysterons...
Havelock North, NZ

Gender:
Posts: 1368

One problem Paul. I'm not small. Grin

Intel Core i5-2310 CPU @ 2.90GHz, 6GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450, Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, Logitech Extreme 3D Pro

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #28 - Apr 22^nd, 2012 at 8:31pm

alrot Offline
Colonel
Freeware Designers Above
All..

Posts: 10231

Xpand wrote on Apr 9^th, 2012 at 9:44pm:

I mean, really?
[img]

I believe it isn't hard to understand which one is simpler to use... Grin

Say No more , Thank you Xpand Wink

Venezuela

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #29 - May 19^th, 2012 at 11:48pm

Webb Offline
Colonel
Go 'Noles!
Morningwood Golf Resort

Posts: 1068

Where have you all been? The US converted to the metric system in 1975.

Metric Conversion Act

Quote:

The Metric Conversion Act is an Act of Congress that then–U.S. President Gerald Ford signed into law on December 23, 1975. It declared the Metric system "the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce", but permitted the use of United States customary units in non-business activities. The Act also established the United States Metric Board with representatives from scientific, technical, and educational institutions, as well as state and local governments to plan, coordinate, and educate the American people for the Metrication of the United States.

A bad day at golf is better than a good day at work.

Jim

Back to top

IP Logged

	Search the archive: