Would you fly on a pilotless passenger jet?

[Tugg Speedman]

We have planes that can fly themselves now,  Take off, cruise, and land on autopilot.  In fact, pilots are required to turn off the autopilot so they do not get rusty.

Their are auto-driving cars right now all over CA.  Yes they have a driver in the front seat to grab control if they go awry.  But they generally do a good job by themselves. 

Audi had a car drive itself (again with a driver in the front seat) from a casino in vegas to the staples center in LA.  It did it without intervention.

And no they are not horribly expense.  The electric versions are horribly expense. The gas version as not that much more.  Right now they are less to buy then buy the car and hire a human driver to drive it.

So the technology is there now.  Now turning them loose on the public and/or gaining acceptance is another story.  I agree their will be some hesitation at first.  By they will catch on.

 It will happen.  Question is when, not if.

[Benny B]

Who are you people that are afraid of motorcycles?!?  Have you never stuffed a quarter into Spy Hunter?

[keefe]

This technology has been deployed in military aviation since the '70's. Both the USAF and USN have been launching, maneuvering, and recovering operational aircraft remotely for more than 40 years. And I'm not talking about UAVs (which are flown over A Stan by guys sitting in NV and VA) but operational fixed wing platforms - F 4s, F 14s, F 15s, F 16s, F/A 18s, A 10s, EA 6Bs, etc...

The Navy can actually recover aircraft on board a carrier from the deck through ACLS (Automated Carrier Landing System.) Damned impressive system.

The fact is that manned flight will continue because pilots are risk management if not a confidence building measure.   

[keefe]

Better question would be how many y'all would get in a plane with keefe shoutin' the buggy?

Same folks who strap into your seat, Doc, ain a?



*what's with the ain a auto correct??

[Tugg Speedman]

CNBC is doing a story right now ... Delphi automotive modified a Audi that just finished driving itself from the Golden Gate bridge to Manhattan for the New York Auto show.  It covered 15 states and took 8 days.  It arrived earlier this morning.

They joked that the car was programmed to obey the speed limit and it seemed it was the slowest car on the road.

[🏀]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/xGyKBFCd_u4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/xGyKBFCd_u4</a>

[muwarrior69]

I haven't flown in awhile, but when I did it was not the pilots that concerned me. I would just say a little prayer that the air traffic controller was at his A game that day. If or when we go pilotless would this put more pressure on the ATC guys?

[mu03eng]

FYI, they've had autoland systems since 1968 but due to politics and poor planning by Boeing, they aren't fully utilized.  The plane with guidance from the ILS will land itself, even controlling the power settings on the engines.  Not many ICAO Cat III systems in place but it's proven technology, really no different than a pilotless aircraft.

Drone aircraft would also eliminate pilots' loss of situational awareness and vertigo when they are flying IFR (I Follow Roads  ).  Fair number of crashes have happened simply because pilots weren't good at flying on instruments or couldn't make sense of instrument mismatch without a visual reference.

[Benny B]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/xGyKBFCd_u4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/xGyKBFCd_u4</a>

Beat me to it.

[Benny B]

The fact is that manned flight will continue because pilots are risk management if not a confidence building measure.  

[Insert Naval Aviator Joke]

Drone aircraft would also eliminate pilots' loss of situational awareness and vertigo when they are flying IFR (I Follow Roads  ).  Fair number of crashes have happened simply because pilots weren't good at flying on instruments or couldn't make sense of instrument mismatch without a visual reference.

[Insert Air Force Joke]

[mu03eng]

[Insert Naval Aviator Joke]

[Insert Air Force Joke]

He's learning

[keefe]

Q: What's the difference between God and a Naval Aviator?
A: God doesn't think He's a Naval Aviator


Q: What's the difference between a large Pepperoni Pizza and a Naval Aviator?
A: A large Pepperoni Pizza can feed a family of four

Naval Aviator Rules of Flight: Flaring on short final is like squatting to pee

Naval Aviator Rules of Flight: Altitude, Airspeed, and Brains - Only two are required for fight

The Five Last Words of Naval Aviation:

1. What the hell was that?
2. What is this for?
3. Where the hell am I?
4. Watch this!
5. Oh, f uck!


Naval Aviator Rules of Flight: It is unwise to eject over landmass you have just bombed

Chapter One of Navy Flight Training: Push the stick forward and the houses get bigger. Pull the stick back and the houses get smaller. Keep pulling the stick back and the houses get bigger again.

Naval Aviator Facts of Life: The three best things in life are (1) A good landing; (2) A fantastic orgasm; (3) A satisfying Bowel Movement. A Night Carrier Landing on a moonless night in Sea State 5+ provides the rare instance of enjoying all three simultaneously.


A two ship of F 18s was flying CAP over the Pacific when Airborne Control suddenly called out, "MiGs inbound at 6 o'clock!" The Naval Aviator calmly replied, "Don't worry! It's only 5:20!"

 
Q: What does it mean when the F 18 driver is drooling out of both sides of his mouth?
A: He's flying straight and level


The Only 4 Things a Good Warthog Wingman is ever allowed to say:

1. "Two"
2. "Two is Bingo Fuel"
3. "Lead is on fire"
4. "I'll take the fat one"


Q: What's the difference between a porcupine and an F 18 squadron?
A: With the rodent the pricks are on the outside


The F 18 Pilot Goes to Hades

Another F 18 pilot loses his Situational Awareness and buys the farm. He ends up in Hell where Satan greets him warmly. The Devil explains that Naval Aviators are given their choice of accommodation in the Infernal Ready Room. The Prince of Darkness asks the FA 18 Driver to wait in the foyer while he gets some brochures.

The Navy puke is unable to control himself and he begins peeking into the rooms off the foyer. In the first he sees other F 18 aviators strapped into cockpits going through an eternal pre-flight checklist. He shudders and closes the door quickly. 

Inside the second room are dozens of Naval Aviators strapped into sims going through an unending series of sphincter-puckering Emergency Procedures. He gasps in horror as beads of sweat dot his brow and he slams shut the door.

In the third room he sees a toga-clad Naval Aviator lying in repose, surrounded by dozens of gorgeous naked women who are engaged in feeding him grapes, pouring him wine and performing all manner of unspeakable acts on his corpulent body. The Rhino Driver lets out a long sigh and knows he has found his eternal home.

As Lucifer returns our hero announces his decision - he wants to make Room #3 his last Ready Room. At this the Son of Perdition begins to laugh hysterically, informing the Naval Aviator that Room #3 is the preserve of Wicked Beautiful Women... 



Naval Aviator Wine Pairing

The F 18 pilot finally musters up the courage to ask the young woman out and, to his shock, she actually accepts.

On the appointed day he takes her for a picnic in the country. As pulls him in for a kiss he reaches down for his wine glass and splashes red wine over her puckered lips. When she asks why he did this he explains he was taught at the Naval Academy to pair red meat with red wine.

As she opens up her blouse he again reaches down and splashes white wine over her creamy breasts. Again he explains that he learned at the Naval Academy to pair white wine with white meat.

Finally, as she ease off her panties he throws cognac across her private parts and then lights it with his zippo. As she screams in horror he explains that Naval Aviators can only go down in flames!

[jesmu84]

Yes, I would fly on a pilotless plane. Yes, I would ride in a self-driving car. Yes, I would drive on a road with self-driving cars.

At first, several people will have to bite the bullet and buy self-driving cars on their own and it won't be feasible, financially, for many people. However, once enough of them get on the road, and insurance companies realize how much cheaper it is to insure self-driving, then that will be the catalyst for the change across the board. No one is going to pay 10x more in premiums to drive their own car, even if they have to make an investment in a new car.

[muwarrior69]

Yes, I would fly on a pilotless plane. Yes, I would ride in a self-driving car. Yes, I would drive on a road with self-driving cars.

At first, several people will have to bite the bullet and buy self-driving cars on their own and it won't be feasible, financially, for many people. However, once enough of them get on the road, and insurance companies realize how much cheaper it is to insure self-driving, then that will be the catalyst for the change across the board. No one is going to pay 10x more in premiums to drive their own car, even if they have to make an investment in a new car.

I'm 68 now and as I get older the thought of a self-driving car means that I would not have to give up my independence in old age. I had to hide the keys from dad so he couldn't drive. It was real tough on him. Progress is a good thing.

[mu03eng]

Q: How do you know if there is an Air Force pilot at your party?
A: He'll tell you.

Q: What's the difference between an Air Force pilot and a jet engine?
A: A jet engine stops whining when the planes shuts down.

Q: How many Air Force pilots does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One...he just holds the bulb and the world revolves around him.

Q: How do you bury an Air Force pilot?
A: You give him an enema and bury what’s left in a shoe box.

Q: What does an Air Force pilot use for contraception?
A: His personality



Three zoomies are walking through the forest when they come upon a set of tracks.

The first pilot says, "Those are deer tracks."

The second pilot says, "No, those are elk tracks."

The third pilot says, "You're both wrong! Those are moose tracks."

The pilots were still arguing when the train hit them.



A Naval aviator and an Air Force zoomie were getting shaves in a barbershop.  As the barbers were reaching for some after-shave to slap on their faces, the General shouts, "Hey, don't put that crap on me! My wife will think I've been in a whorehouse!" Whereupon the Naval Aviator turns to his barber and says, "Go ahead and put it on me, my wife doesn't know what the inside of a whorehouse smells like."


There are glaring language differences between the services that protect our nation. Here is an example:

When the Navy secures a building, they turn out the lights and lock the hatches.
When the Army secures a building, they post sentries and check I.D. card
When the Marines secure a building, they call in air strikes and assault through the objective using fire and close combat.
When the Air Force secures a building, they get a 4 year lease with the option for 4 more years.


The Navy and the Air Force decided to have a canoe race on the Potomac river. Both teams practiced hard and long to reach their peak performance before the race.

On the big day, the Navy won by a mile.

Afterwards, the Air Force team became very discouraged and depressed. The officers of the Air Force team decided that the reason for the crushing defeat had to be found. A "Metrics Team," made up of senior officers was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

Their conclusion was that the Navy had 8 seamen rowing and 1 officer steering, while the Air Force had 1 airman rowing and 8 officers and NCOs steering.

So the senior officers of the Air Force team hired a consulting company and paid them incredible amounts of money. They advised that too many people were steering the boat and not enough people were rowing.

To prevent losing to the Navy again next year, the Air Force Chief of Staff made historic and sweeping changes: the rowing team's organizational structure was totally realigned to 4 steering officers, 3 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering NCO. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 1 airman rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the "Rowing Team Quality Air Force Program," with meetings, dinners, and a three-day pass for the rower. "We must give the rower empowerment and enrichment through this quality program."

The next year the Navy won by 2 miles. Humiliated, the Air Force leadership gave a letter of reprimand to the rower for poor performance, initiated a $4 billion program for development of a new joint-service canoe, blamed the loss on a design defect in the paddles and issued leather rowing jackets to the beleagered steering officers in the hopes they would stay for next year's race.

[Tugg Speedman]

Yes, I would fly on a pilotless plane. Yes, I would ride in a self-driving car. Yes, I would drive on a road with self-driving cars.

At first, several people will have to bite the bullet and buy self-driving cars on their own and it won't be feasible, financially, for many people. However, once enough of them get on the road, and insurance companies realize how much cheaper it is to insure self-driving, then that will be the catalyst for the change across the board. No one is going to pay 10x more in premiums to drive their own car, even if they have to make an investment in a new car.

This is the big misconception about self-driving cars.  YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO OWN A CAR, ever.  Their will be millions of automatic 24 hour taxis (gas or electric, does not matter).  One will never be more than two minutes away.  Push a button on your cell phone and it shows up. (And yes they will come in all sizes.  If you're commuting solo, a small car.  Going to Home Depot, request a truck.  Large family outing?  Request a van.  All  Never more than 5 minutes away.)

Why is Wall Street valuing Uber at over $40 billion (more than all the taxi companies in the US combined?).  Because they have the infrastructure for this.  Google maps make it all happen.  Now just waiting on eliminating the driver.

What is the biggest reason for traffic congestion in a city?  Traffic engineers estimate it is up to 40% of the reason for congestion.  Answer, parking.  Parking legally, parking illegally, double parking and looking for parking.  Driverless taxis eliminate parking (they can go to a quiet side street, out of the way, and wait when idle).  Rush hour gets greatly reduced.  Travel times go down.  Movement becomes easier.  Imagine commuting to the airport at 5PM in the rain in 15 minutes.

What I described, which is what Uber, Google and the rest are trying to make happen, is one of the biggest culture changes in US history.  The country goes from 100 million cars, most of which are idle most of the day and last an average of 11 years.  In this world we have 10 to 30 million taxis constantly working, that last 1 to 3 years.  Less cars but more turnover for the car companies.

No more garages, larger yards.  No more picking up kids, they push a button in their cell phone (no worries about pedophiles as they are driverless).  And all this is a fraction of what it cost to purchases, maintain, insure two family cars.

In fact, no more going to store.  Order what you want and the driverless car pulls up behind the store, they load your order and 10 minutes later it pulls up in front of your house.  Sit in the back seat and watch TV or connect.  Do something productive.

But some like driving.  No worries, that will become a recreation.  You can go to "driving roads" and rent (or get your own car out of storage) and driver on recreation roads designed for driving.  Just like we do with horses now (remember a 100 years ago horses were what cars are now).

Think big, the driverless car changes everything.

[🏀]

What happens when the taxi shows up covered in filth from Dirty ZFB and the boys last party inside?

[tower912]

Automated cars can't drive drunk. 

[muwarrior69]

This is the big misconception about self-driving cars.  YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO OWN A CAR, ever.  Their will be millions of automatic 24 hour taxis (gas or electric, does not matter).  One will never be more than two minutes away.  Push a button on your cell phone and it shows up. (And yes they will come in all sizes.  If you're commuting solo, a small car.  Going to Home Depot, request a truck.  Large family outing?  Request a van.  All  Never more than 5 minutes away.)

Why is Wall Street valuing Uber at over $40 billion (more than all the taxi companies in the US combined?).  Because they have the infrastructure for this.  Google maps make it all happen.  Now just waiting on eliminating the driver.

What is the biggest reason for traffic congestion in a city?  Traffic engineers estimate it is up to 40% of the reason for congestion.  Answer, parking.  Parking legally, parking illegally, double parking and looking for parking.  Driverless taxis eliminate parking (they can go to a quiet side street, out of the way, and wait when idle).  Rush hour gets greatly reduced.  Travel times go down.  Movement becomes easier.  Imagine commuting to the airport at 5PM in the rain in 15 minutes.

What I described, which is what Uber, Google and the rest are trying to make happen, is one of the biggest culture changes in US history.  The country goes from 100 million cars, most of which are idle most of the day and last an average of 11 years.  In this world we have 10 to 30 million taxis constantly working, that last 1 to 3 years.  Less cars but more turnover for the car companies.

No more garages, larger yards.  No more picking up kids, they push a button in their cell phone (no worries about pedophiles as they are driverless).  And all this is a fraction of what it cost to purchases, maintain, insure two family cars.

In fact, no more going to store.  Order what you want and the driverless car pulls up behind the store, they load your order and 10 minutes later it pulls up in front of your house.  Sit in the back seat and watch TV or connect.  Do something productive.

But some like driving.  No worries, that will become a recreation.  You can go to "driving roads" and rent (or get your own car out of storage) and driver on recreation roads designed for driving.  Just like we do with horses now (remember a 100 years ago horses were what cars are now).

Think big, the driverless car changes everything.

Better yet what happens when all the municipal and state cops can't write traffic tickets anymore and all the lawyers that do DUIs and DWIs are out of work because they are a thing of the past. Will we need a state identity card because we longer need driver licenses. Look at all the money the state will lose because we no longer have to pay a registration fee. If we do get in an accident who pays injury costs. Can the passengers sue the driverless driver? A lot of consequences with the driverless car.

[Tugg Speedman]

What happens when the taxi shows up covered in filth from Dirty ZFB and the boys last party inside?

Push a button on your phone and another one will come in 2 minutes. 

And that dirty taxi will follow five feet behind ZFB for the rest of his life or until he cleans it with his tooth brush!!

[Tugg Speedman]

Better yet what happens when all the municipal and state cops can't write traffic tickets anymore and all the lawyers that do DUIs and DWIs are out of work because they are a thing of the past. Will we need a state identity card because we longer need driver licenses. Look at all the money the state will lose because we no longer have to pay a registration fee. If we do get in an accident who pays injury costs. Can the passengers sue the driverless driver? A lot of consequences with the driverless car.

Absolutely!  This is a very disruptive technology.

Uber has destroyed the taxi business.  The internet has destroyed newspapers.

What you describe is the next in line for the new disruptive technologies coming.

Before this is over, everyone's industry will be affected.

[keefe]

The Brand New Naval Aviator

The young Lt jg, sporting shiny new gold wings on his chest, was sitting at his desk at the F 18 RAG when a sailor knocked on the door. Feeling quite satisfied with himself the Naval Aviator quickly picked up the phone, told the sailor to enter, then said into the phone, "Yes, Admiral, I'll be seeing him this afternoon and I'll pass along your message. In the meantime, thank you for your good wishes, sir." Feeling as though he had sufficiently impressed the young enlisted man, he asked, "What do you want?"

"Nothing important, sir," the sailor replied, "just here to hook up your telephone."



The Barber Shop

A Warthog Driver finds a barber shop near the base and goes inside for a haircut. After getting a nice high and tight, the muscular, handsome A 10 pilot asks the cost.

"No charge, sir" replies the barber, "Your dedication and sacrifice in the service of our nation is payment enough."

The next day, as he opens shop, the barber finds a squadron T-shirt, A 10 coffee mug, and a thank-you note left by the Warthog Driver. Later that day, a Viper Driver comes in and asks the barber to take a little bit off the sides. When the haircut was complete and the chiseled, good looking F 16 flier reached for his wallet, the barber again says:

"No charge, sir. Your dedication and sacrifice in the service of our nation is payment enough."

The next day, as he opens shop, he is pleased to find an Air Force hat and a squadron coin by the door, with a thank-you note. Later that day, a double chinned, rotund Naval Aviator comes in, asking if the barber can do something to cover his bald spot. The barber obliges, and when it comes time to pay, he again says:

"No charge, sir. Your dedication and sacrifice in the service of our nation is payment enough."

The barber comes to work the next day and finds on his doorstep ... three more chubby, balding Naval Aviators.



The Navy Bomber Pilot

There was a Naval Aviator named CDR Neversail who flew B 24s during the Great Pacific War. One day, while flying over Guadalcanal, the tail gunner spotted two Zeros rolling in hot. As the Navy crew became frantic CDR Neversail calmly ordered the FE to bring him his red shirt.

The FE quickly got the red shirt to the Skipper who put it on and turned toward the fighters to give his gunners a better field of fire. His crew shot down the enemy planes and went on to lead the formation on a successful bombing run.

That evening, all the men sat around the hangar recounting the earlier triumph. One of them asked the CDR, "Sir, why did you call for your red shirt before battle?"

The CDR replied, "If I were to be wounded in the attack, the shirt would not show my blood. Thus, you men would continue to fight, unafraid." All of the men sat and marveled at the courage of such a manly man's man.

The next day, they took off for a mission deeper into the heart of the Solomons. Once again, the top gunner spotted an entire squadron of Japanese fighters above them, while the belly gunner saw another squadron below.

The crew stared in worshipful silence at the CDR and waited for his usual orders.

CDR Neversail gazed with steely eyes upon the vast horde arrayed against his craft, and without fear, turned and calmly said, "Get me my brown pants."




The Rhino Driver

A Naval Aviator - dressed to impress in his all white Good Humor outfit  - went to a bar and ordered a drink. As he sat there sipping his whiskey, a young lady sat down next to him. After she ordered her drink she turned to the LT and asked him, "Are you a real fighter pilot?"

To which he replied, "Well, I fly F-18s every single day of the week, so I guess I am."

After a short while he asked her what she was. She replied, "I am a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about women. I get up in the morning thinking of women, when I eat, shower, watch TV - everything makes me think of women."

A short while later she left, and the Naval Aviator ordered another drink. A couple sat down next to him and asked, "Are you a real fighter pilot?"

"I always thought I was," he answered, "but I just found out that I'm a lesbian."



Beach Wrecked Naval Aviator


A Naval Aviator punched out of his F 18 and wound up on a deserted island. After 12 years of being alone a beautiful woman emerged from the surf.

"How long have you been here?" She asked.

"12 long, lonely, agonizing years," the Rhino Driver replied.

"When is the last time you had a cigar?"

"12 Years," he stammered. She opened a pocket and gave him a Cohiba. The fighter pilot took it greedily and puffed in delight.

"When was the last time you had a drink?," the maiden asked.

"12 Years." She opens another pocket and pulls out a bottle of Oban. The Navy man drank the whole bottle in one gulp.

"When was the last time you played around?," the lady asked with a gleam in her eye.

"12 years," the deprived pilot replied. The women started to unzip the front of her wetsuit.

"You gotta be sh1tting me!!!!!!!!," screamed the F 18 Driver. "YOU GOT GOLF CLUBS IN THERE!!!!???"



Change

Naval Aviator: "Sailor, do you have change for a dollar?"

Sailor: "Sure, buddy."

Naval Aviator: "That's no way to address an officer! Now let's try it again!"

Naval Aviator: " Sailor. Do you have change for a dollar?"

Sailor: "No, SIR!"

[MUsoxfan]

Uber has destroyed the taxi business. 

The taxi business destroyed themselves. And the world is better for it

[Tugg Speedman]

The taxi business destroyed themselves. And the world is better for it

+1

[ChicosBailBonds]

Absolutely!  This is a very disruptive technology.

Uber has destroyed the taxi business.  The internet has destroyed newspapers.

What you describe is the next in line for the new disruptive technologies coming.

Before this is over, everyone's industry will be affected.

I've been using Uber for several years....it has not DESTROYED the taxi business.  No doubt it has put them on their heels, but it hasn't destroyed them....yet.  Try getting Uber from a major airport...you can't.  Newspapers have adapted, just as other industries will.  

So in this world of driverless cars that are going to shoot around and drive people everywhere, you're still going to have tremendous spike issues.  When everyone needs a ride home from work, all those cars are needed....during the day what are they doing when demand is down?  Or is everyone telecommuting?  What about rural areas where it will be financially upside down to have a service like this, much like it is financially upside down today to deliver internet and other services to rural areas?  What's going to happen on the crime side...are we going to have gangs just hunkered in the back blasting away now and not having to worry about the driver getting shot.....happens here in LA all too often....I'm looking forward to the Crips and Bloods and the Mexican driverless cars...should be fun.