AGSCalabrese wrote:
> I am guessing these are TECH questions... if not I will move them to OT
>
> 1)  For you pilot types.   Is there a database that lists tall  
> structures by GPS coordinates and height ?
Probably is, but not familiar with where to find. Obstructions to air 
space are shown on visual flying charts, and IFR Instrument flying - bad 
weather) show allowable minimum safe altitudes for squares of area on 
the charts.
>   Are there designated  
> corridors for low flying aircraft ( like an autogiro ) to fly in ?
>   
No, anyone can fly almost anywhere, with exceptions, like Airport 
control areas, restricted areas (like White house), and MOA's (Military 
Operating areas - not prohibited, but use extreme caution, I always 
avoided)
>         Do birds fly at known altitudes or is it chaotic behaviour on  
> their part ? 
Some species fly in a range of altitudes while migrating, but in general 
they could be anywhere up to maybe 20,000'
>   Are there bird detection schemes for aircraft ?
>   
No, not on the aircraft. Some weather radar, at times can pick up large 
flocks of birds, and airport bird detection radar is just started testing.
> 2)  Do any of you fly an autogiro ?  ( and are willing to discuss the  
> experience ? ) No only limited to fixed wing single engine
>
> 3)  Do aircraft ever use air bags for the humans ?  Do they ever use  
> air bags for the belly or nose of the aircraft ?
>   
No, and no. Equipment is severe weight penalty. A very few aircraft have 
a deployable parachute. I would prefer having control of aircraft to the 
final stop. Autogiro's require considerable experience to pilot, are of 
limited useage. We were destination orientated at 200 mph, and 
Cleveland, Ohio to Jackso, Wyoming for a couple of days hiking in the 
Teton Mts. was not unusual.
> 4)  Are parachutes ever made to be inflatable ?   That is they open  
> using self-contained gas pressure ?  Are balloons ever used as a  "  
> return to earth slowly " device ?  What about a balloon designed to  
> form a flattened spheroid ?  What about a set of balloons ?
>   
Parachutes open very reliably, and generally use a small drag chute to 
pull them open. The aircraft parachute I spoke of earlier is deployed 
with a small rocket that takes out a small piece of the fiberglass 
fuselage. There have only been 1 or 2 actual deployments of the chutes. 
Recently one of those type planes (Cirrus 22) crashed on takeoff from a 
near airport during low visibility. What ever was the cause (I haven't 
heard yet), it was from low altitude (500 - 1000') AGL (Above ground 
level), and thats too low for the chute to deploy and be effective. The 
plane nose dived into a church area.
> Thanks for any comments
>
> Gus aka POD
>
>
>
>   
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