I feel a better question is how many PICs would it take to crash an
 airplane? The answer - just 1.
 Newer planes have exactly such systems. However there is controversy over
 whether such systems save life or simply put more in jeopardy. The problem
 is not computer error (with enough testing errors can be eliminated) it's
 pilot error.
  I believe it's 707s that have such a system. If the pilot attempts what
the
 computer considers to be a dangerous move, it will override him. I am aware
 of at least 2 seperate incidents where this has caused an accident.
 One situation was as follows:
     After taking off the pilot was too low with too little power. The pilot
     realised this and pulled up. Unfortunately he pulled up a bit too hard.
The
     computer decided that pulling up so hard with so little power was a bad
     idea. So, it took over and didn't allow him to rise so sharply. The
pilot
     suddenly finds the controls are trying to fight him. So what does he
do, he
     panics and pulls up harder. So what does the plane do, it resists
harder.
     Result: plane hits the ground, passengers die.

 Who was in the wrong? No one. The pilot really shouldn't have pulled up
 quite so hard so the computer was right. Yet, pulling up so hard would most
 probably not have caused an accident had he then levelled off.

 IMHO, the problem is not with the computers it's with the pilots. It's easy
 to reprogram a computer. It's much harder to reprogram a person.

 Tom.

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: tmariner <tmariner@OPTONLINE.NET>
> Subject: How many Pics to save JFK jr.[OT]
>
>
> > OK, here's a mega controversial subject -- How many Pics would it have
> taken
> > to save JFK Jr. if his accident was caused by losing control of his
> > aircraft?
> >
> > How many folks here doubt that the ability to sense attitude,
> accelerations,
> > heights, etc. would allow us to grab control of an aircraft and keep it
> > within normal operating parameters?
> > I'm proud when we can use this power to apply microcontrollers to better
> > lives and ashamed when we miss an opportunity to save them.
> >
> > Tom
>