C. Hotchkiss writes: > Ah, yes. I recall that now. A very interesting incident. Amusing that a > low tech solution like dip sticks is still being used. Also instructive to > efforts to convert the aircraft industry over to SI. It should be done, > but with great care.
Yes, I agree, on both points. Right now, it's impossible to imagine any way of converting where there wouldn't be a decade or two of mismatches, and ATC would have to give bilinear clearances: Papa Mike Romeo maintain altitude 1600 feet 500 meters until 2 miles 3 kilometers south of the field. Reduce speed to 80 knots 150 kilometers per hour. Yech. (By the way, in Ontario [at least] we abbreviate "kilometers per hour" to "clicks", i.e. "You won't average better than 70 or 80 clicks with all the construction." I wonder if that will ever become standard usage anywhere else.) The opportunity might come, though, when general aviation converts from pitot-static and gyro instruments and analog VHF communication to fully digital GPS-driven instruments and digital satellite communication. I'll guess that will happen in 10-15 years (i.e. GPS receiver and satellite comm link will be required for flight in any controlled airspace). Making the GPS display into the primary flight instrument will make it much easier to switch to SI, and ATC clearances coming digitally over a satellite link can be converted automatically to any units. All the best, David -- David Megginson, [EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.megginson.com/ _______________________________________________ Flightgear-devel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.flightgear.org/mailman/listinfo/flightgear-devel
