Hmm - it's exceedingly rare I disagree with Hagar; but this time...
First; all power to the guy. What he's doing is about as far from smart as you can get; but we Humans have never placed a whole lot of reliance on doing the smart thing - most of our achievement came from throwing ourselves into the abyss and figuring out how to survive once the bottom came into view.
But as for comparing his flight to Dolittle's; I can see a world of difference. Dolittle couldn't see outside; but he could see his instruments. Mr. Cunningham doesn't have that option. OK; it appears he has something that gives him audio updates; that's a world of difference from the immediate, intuitive picture you get from the six-pack. I mean; by the time the computer finishes telling you "Altitude 5000, A/S 160, bank 15deg. right, ball centered" etc; the aircraft's attitude could have changed radically. Even accounting for a high-speed shorthand they
must be using; all of us who fly know just how fast things can change even in clear air. I ignore the question I first asked myself: "how would the computer deal with a P/S (or any instrument) failure?" as being unnecessarily complicating.
Hey; don't get me wrong - the guy's got cojones and that's something sorely lacking nowadays methinks. I personally wouldn't mind riding in the right-hand seat with him - it'd be an adventure! But if it leads to advances that allow people with visual conditions - not necessarily blindness - to fly or operate other vehicles; I say no way - freedom is great; but not at the expense of general safety.
Cheers!
Oh, P.S.: Bazza wrote:
Over the years I've read a bit about "spatial disorientation" and we all know how long we last even in a simulation environment without horizons or instruments. If you've never tried it, switch on to your favourite plane, select a black night without stars, no instruments and see if you can last one minute.
You know; I simply don't understand that. I don't have my instrument rating yet; won't be going for it for a couple years yet (time and money.
) but I've got no problems at all using instruments in routine flight. Either in FS9; or in the simulator at the airport; or in real aircraft with an instrument-rated pilot beside me. No particular abilities; it just seemed to me right from my first flight in the left-hand seat at age 16 that the instruments were there for a reason - so learn how to use 'em. It totally mystifies me that most of the newly-hatched PPL's I know can't keep a level, co-ordinated turn while flying blind.
OK; I know how little you actually learn in 45 hours, but really - to my way of thinking; if you can't hold a level turn - the absolutely easiest thing to do in a C-172 - what else can't you do - like perform emergency procedures?
Sorry - preaching again. I get into rows all the time with my former instructors about this - they say 'learn to fly the airplane first; then get into the more difficult bits later'. I say "Understand flight and your aircraft before learning to fly - you'll understand more of what you're learning'. The argument has been acrimonious at times; to the point where I bet one of my instructors $100 (back when I was a student) I could fly the simulator from London (ont.) to Kitchener via instruments with the video off. Given the respect I tend to show instructors (the same kind I like from my students); that's a
serious break in courtesy from me.
Guy never paid up though; so I don't feel too bad.
Cheers again!
LOL Bazza 
