Dear Editor:
Regarding the story in the news last week about the second crash of a Boeing passenger plane, I wanted to add an experience I had back in 1959.
I was working for CIL as a sales representative in Winnipeg and my territory extended west to all of Saskatchewan. One week I had to make a short trip west and flew with a regional carrier. In this case the plane held six passengers plus a pilot and co-pilot.
While waiting in the lounge for the return flight, I noticed there were seven people there. When the pilot arrived he said, “Who wants to sit in the co-pilot seat?”
My hand went up and I said, “I’ve flown a small plane.” I was referring to when I solo-ed in a Tiger Moth as an air cadet.
When we were ready to take off the pilot said the plane was computer programmed to fly on its own. And it did – it took off, turned toward Winnipeg and as we were landing the pilot said that of course pilots would always be needed in case the computer ever screwed up.
Are any of you flying soon?
George Lustig,
Elora