ABS - or is it Pure BS

From: Computer Room Internet Cafe <netcafe_at_pirie.mtx.net.au>
Date: Mon Apr 5 22:53:01 1999

-----Original Message-----
From: Max Eskin <max82_at_surfree.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Tuesday, 6 April 1999 11:29
Subject: Re: ABS - or is it Pure BS


>On Mon, 5 Apr 1999, Allison J Parent wrote:
>>The put ABS on BIG airplanes for a reason and not for the added weight.
>
>I don't know if my Microsoft Flight Simulator experience is worth
>anything,

With all due respect, IMHO, simulators that are not mounted on big hydraulic
jacks and convince you that you are in a real aeroplane are not much chop
for anything except perhaps teaching instrument flying, and fairly limited
in that area.

>but judging by what I've seen both in it and in various 'Worst
>Aircraft Tragedies' shows, big airplanes aren't maneuvrable enough to turn
>while they're skidding.

The whole point of abs on a heavy aircraft is so they DON'T skid. My
experience with virually all vehicles is that they are difficult to maneuvre
whilst skidding!
Can't comment on the snow and ice issue, (never see that around here) but
abs can be hazardous on gravel roads (we have lots of them) IF the driver is
not aware of, and trained in the way it affects vehicle handling. Many of
our urban brethren manage to come unstuck on gravel, country boys don't seem
to have much trouble, whether they have abs or not, so I suspect the biggest
factor is not the vehicle or it's braking system, but the skill level of the
driver and the degree of familiarity with the vehicle, it's handling and the
road surface..

>And don't they turn by adjusting the engine thrust


Not since the DC3 days. No, they have steerable nosewheels, attached to the
rudder pedals, or to an auxiliary steering wheel. Steering with
differential throttle may be used to ASSIST in turning an aircraft, but not
on it's own, unless the nosewheel steering has failed.

Geoff Roberts
VK5KDR
200+ hours in various light aircraft.
10 years in Air Traffic Services
5 of 'em at Sydney Kingsford-Smith.
5 in the bush 300 miles from anywhere.
Received on Mon Apr 05 1999 - 22:53:01 BST