Letters

There is enough misinformation about flying already, but your June editorial about riding in a simulator with your pilot brother adds fuel to the fire for those who already believe planes can be flown from the ground (BD&C 6/02, p. 7). If that is the case, however, pilots will still be able to override the remote control, not the other way around, as you suggest.

I am a flight instructor and have flown simulators for DC-9, Boeing 727, 737 and other aircraft. In working with folks from the Federal Aviation Administration, we actually did fly "through" some buildings that were on our screen. Of course, the simulated buildings were still there, though, and we did not crash. Still, I doubt any of us would "simulate" that now, even for fun.

Simulators are very sophisticated and we get caught up in the technology. But the truth is that we are a very long way from flying passenger airplanes by remote control. I hope I will never see the day.

Let us not believe that technology will solve everything in life. I will put my trust in a well-trained pilot with good equipment to fly. I'm sure your brother will agree.

Howard Deevers, Tucson, Ariz.

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