Video: Take An Hour Journey Deep Into A British Airways 747-400
Friday, November 9, 2012 at 09:41PM
I really didn't expect that I'd be in the group of people feeling upside-down on Wednesday when I posted that Skip Stewart video on election day, but I am. In fact, very much so. I've got more to say about that in a minute, but first...
Here's a really well done one-hour program from the BBC called Engineering Giants. This episode, which was originally broadcast across the pond back in the summer, is titled Jumbo Jet Strip-Down and it takes you on a journey into a 'D-Check' on British Airways 747-400 'Victor X-ray' (registration G-CIVX). You get a look into the inner workings of this massive airliner that most of us don't ever get to see. The D-Check is the most comprehensive maintenance inspection for an airliner and requires a massive number of man-hours and maintenance workers. It's truly fascinating to see the 747 in a way that helps you understand the incredible amount of engineering that went into its design (originated in the late 60's) and then to see the excellent maintenance personnel taking on the huge task of making sure this jumbo jet is ready to keep flying for many years to come.
I highly recommend you find an hour to take it all in. It's way better than most of the mind-rotting crap on TV.
ADVISORY: conservative political rant follows, read at you own risk!
And speaking of mind-rotting crap, how about that election? You don't have to dig very deep into my ramblings to find out that I'm a conservative. And to liberals, I'm the worst kind... a Christian-conservative. I admit that I'm not the biggest Mitt Romney fan, but in comparison to Barack Obama, I'm a huge Mitt Romeny fan. Given the financial disaster that the United States is heading for, I find it completely unbelievable that Obama was re-elected. But then I find it unbelievable that fewer people voted in 2012 than in 2008. This time 57.5% of eligible voters turned out compared to 62.3% in 2008. Giving the remarkable amount of damage done to America by Obama in the last 4 years, I just can't believe there wasn't the kind of conservative ground swell in voter turnout that was expected. But at least the liberals can take comfort in knowing that it's the conservatives I'm mad at. Oh, and in case you're thinking I'm just a racist, I'm not. I would love to vote for a black man for President, but there's no way I'm gonna vote for a black man for President just because he's black. Only a racist would do that! Unfortunately, there are millions of those kind of racists in America today, and Obama has used those people masterfully.
A growing number of Americans are lazy, unmotivated to succeed, and unwilling to take the kind of risks that made America great... yet they are willing to take anything offered to them whether it's good for the country or not. An unimaginable amount of Americans are also extremely hateful, foul, and mean-spirited toward their fellow citizens. I honestly find the way people are today to be very disgusting. I reached a tipping point right after the election and had to take a few days away from the internet. I realize that I have turned a very sad corner in my life as an American... I no longer like the majority of people in my country. That sad reality is driven by the apparent truth that a majority of Americans have no interest in what the Founding Father's and the brave people of the Revolution fought for. People today have no burning desire for FREEDOM. Well I'm going on the record right now: I have a burning desire for FREEDOM!
I haven't figured out just yet what all this means for me going forward, but I know I am one very disgruntled American.
I must add tho that my world-view plainly acknowledges that the United States of America isn't eternal. It will rise and fall like all countries do, and it'll do so because it's full of human beings. No form of government has ever figured out how to keep human nature (our sinful human nature) from destroying all that is good. This is one of the greatest evidences of the truth of the Bible to me. Mankind hasn't changed, or to put it in a current political term, mankind hasn't 'progressed' in all of our history. We are self-centered creatures that will eventually destroy any 'good' that has been built up during our times of discipline, focus, and surrender to God. So it's no surprise at all that Americans are so easily led around by the promise that they'll be given something from their government, but I had hopes that we were going to embrace the disciplines that led to freedom and greatness longer than this. I guess I was wrong.
The one thing I know for certain tho as I look to the future: In God I trust, not in man!
Boeing, MustSee, airlines, video Email Article
Reader Comments (25)
Very well stated. I am in almost word for word the exact same mental place. I've always had somewhat of a feeling, with watching human and more appropriate, American behavior throughout my life, that at some point we would reach the tipping point, where there were "more of them, than of us". And at that point we would really begin to lose everything that made this a great country. I'm old enough to be thankful that I probably won't be around long enough to see the total coming unhinged of the United States, but it grieves me never the less.
Two constant thoughts however, seem to be maintaining me and my sanity at this point:
!). This is not my home. I am only passing through. I am ultimately headed for a far far better place.
2) Sometimes perhaps, it is necessary to lose all other things that we tend to mistakenly put our hopes in, to remember where our only real hope lies.
With those two thoughts in mind, it seems to make all of this a little less painful and comprehensible, and gives me the ability and energy to continue on my path.
Just out of interest. You're talking about you desire for freedom. Do you feel like your freedom has been taken? If yes, what freedoms?
giel- that's a fair question... my concern is that all the tools necessary to strip freedom from us are now in place. You don't have to already have lost something to be concerned that it's about to be taken away.
The bribes & lies are the weapon, Liberty is at risk, Truth is dead in this country.
Gentlemen arm yourselves and be ready.
First of all, assuming that this is first and foremost an aviation website/blog/whatever, written for aviation enthusiasts...I hope you realize that your political opinions are at odds with and/ or offend a potentially sizable portion (maybe up to half) of your aviation enthusiast audience. If that doesn't matter to you, so be it...your website, your call.
I happen to be one who is offended by your comments. I also happen to be a devout Christian and a pastor who also used to be pretty much a one-issue Republican (pro-life). Once I discovered that the Republican party only uses the "pro-life angle" to recruit conservative Christian voters and has no interest in out-lawing abortion because they know that well over half of the country is pro-choice, I switched to voting for the party that I feel is most in line with the New Testament.
I would be highly curious to hear what freedoms of yours have been limited in the past four years? I will refrain from going on my own political rant, except to say as a devout, Bible-believing Christian, and pastor, I couldn't have been more disappointed in the presidential administration from 2000-08. On the contrary I have been happy with much of what has been accomplished in the past four years.
I have tried to be understanding of your point of view in the past because I enjoy your web-site and share your interest. I have not decided yet whether this will cause me to un-bookmark your site.
I will be surprised if this comment is allowed on your comment page. If it doesn't, I suppose that would seal the deal for me.
How exactly are your freedoms in danger? All I'm hearing are Faux News talking points. What "damage" has been done to this country by the Obama administration? We were bleeding jobs when he came to office and now we actually have job growth. We are shutting down TWO wars and the auto industry has been saved. And do you know what usually brings down great nations? That would be religions like yours. Devout faith to a nonexistent god has caused most wars, the dark ages and the decline of untold numbers of civilizations. Grown ups don't have invisible friends anymore!
How did a aircraft blog about a u tube video on a BA 747 D check get hijacked into a debate about politics and pro life please go take your politics some where else and leave as plane geeks in peace. Great video by the way very interesting makes us passengers think just how many systems there on a 747 all them need to work for the aircraft to fly and the passengers to be comfortable and safe.
That sounds fair. I'm not from America so I'm not really into american politics but I think it's interesting. There's just one thing I'll never get and that's how close politics and religion are connected with each other. Another thing is how allot of people were not voting obama because he is pro abortion and pro gay marriage. Aren't there more important political and economical problems to solve?
giel- I see no issue more important than abortion. This brutal destruction of defenseless human life to satisfy one's own selfish desires is the greatest act of evil the world has ever seen. In my opinion, if a person running for the highest office in the land can't figure that out, then there is no other amount of leadership qualities that make them worthy to lead.
merzy- I have never based my core convictions on whether or not they might offend someone, and I don't plan to worry about that now. If people can't handle my honest and thoughtfully shared point of view on the website that I created and have worked incredibly hard on for nearly 4 years (with nearly no income from this work), then that is their problem and not mine.
The Gallup polls that have been tracking the issue for many years now show that more Americans identify themselves as pro-life: Gallup poll info - so I have a problem with your assertion to begin with. And then for you to side with the party that openly champions the brutal destruction of defenseless human life makes me believe you are not on the pro-life side of the issue.
Going further, I don't claim to be a Republican, I am a conservative. I believe both parties are actively working to remove the USA from the position of being the world's single super-power. My reasons for believing this is very Bible based, but I won't share that now. Whatever my reasons are, it's hard to argue against the idea that we will soon be removed from this position (and be replaced by some far more dangerous nation).
Lastly, you don't seem to know me very well if you actually believe I would remove your comment from this post. I have nothing to hide, have no desire to spin any point of view, and greatly enjoy the opportunity to discuss the most important issues in life anywhere at anytime.
Dave W.- Devout faith to the true God is more likely the only thing that has kept the inhabitants of Earth from being extinct at this point. True faith can't be held responsible for the people who will twist, distort, and do evil in the name of religion.
To help you all understand a little more about me and why I'm responding to the pro-life side of this discussion (note: I didn't mention the issue in my rant in the post) I'll share this info: in 1999 I founded and then ran for 10 years, a Christian rock music festival that was entirely focused on the abortion issue. I am very familiar with the issue, the arguments, and the realities of what abortion does to both the one that does't survive and to the one that does. More important, I have seen directly the power that God's grace brings to those who have carried a burden of pain and guilt for what they did.
I ran this festival (which I founded) almost entirely on my own while working a full time job. It not only never made me any profit for an unimaginable amount of work (the 2008 event alone had 45 bands on 3 stages over 3 days) but it actually cost me personally, significantly, to see it thru.
You may not agree with my point of view on these kinds of issues, but I come to the discussion with strong, reasoned convictions that have been backed up by genuine blood, sweat, and tears. Much of my ongoing financial trouble is related to the music fest financially collapsing in 2008, along with my regular self-employed work (ceramic tile installing) being hurt by the store I did work thru blaming me for something I didn't do (ending our work relationship) followed right after by the the US economy collapse. All this occurred in a 4 month period.
The last 15 years of my life have been extremely exhausting while also being incredibly challenging financially... yet I am as ready as ever to make a stand for what I believe is the truth.
"True Faith" made people turn passenger planes into weapons, it fueled the crusades, it fought against civil rights and started more wars than can be counted. You need to actually read some history instead of parroting the sludge from your cult.
It truly amazes me how a white, middle aged man can think he knows what's best for a woman to do with her body! If you don't like abortion, then don't have one...oh wait, you'll never actually be faced with that choice. You spout off about how so many people are trapped in welfare and in the same breath you say a woman shouldn't be able to end a pregnancy that will likely land her there. You don't get to have it both ways. Study some biology while you're at it. That little mass of cells that a pregnancy consists of in the first few months in not a person.
The GOP has gotten you to vote against your own best interests over this ONE issue. Way to be a sheep...and way to ruin a perfectly good aviation web site.
Martt,
It's your website. Post anything you want on it!
I don't understand why people these days seem to be incapable of taking good with the bad. I'm voicing neither agreement nor disagreement with your political or religious views. Regardless of what they are, I feel fully capable of enjoying your posts.
If I agree, all the better. If I don't, I actually have a brain that is capable of filtering and saying "Hmmm, there's something I don't agree with the author about. Hey look, he's posted some more cool pictures!"
Perhaps some perspective is in order: This is an aviation blog. But blogs are run by individuals. And individuals sometimes just want to voice what they're feeling. So on this blog we get your passion for aviation, and sometimes a glimpse into you as an individual. I'm good with that!
Martt – Wow, I am a regular visitor and an occasional contributor of captions and corrections. I come to your site because I am an airplane wonk – I loves me my flying machines. And then you go and put your out-of-the-mainstream views on social issues as part of your site content. Yikes, you and Budd Davisson seem determined to screw-up perfectly good airplane websites with your political/social views.
In re your political/social views, we just got proof that yours are minority views. Like stated above by Dave W, politics and religion form a toxic mix – anywhere, anytime. Our founding fathers were quite clear on this issue as was Jesus in Mathew 22:21.
So, just to be clear, do you abhor the taking of any life or just those not born? Is your objection to abortion based on your tax dollars being spent in some way to perform them? (Render unto Creaser…) Or is it objectionable to you in religious terms?
I object many things that my tax dollars are spent on. My current top objection is to the Trillion Dollar Iraq war. That is 1E12 US Dollars – some of it mine – spent on that boondoggle. Yet, I still pay my taxes.
Our friends in the Jehovah’s Witnesses object to blood transfusions on religious grounds. Should they be able to prevent me from having a blood transfusion? I think not.
In short, I feel your objections to abortion fail the “What’s it to ya?” test. You don’t have a dog in the fight. Stick to flying machines and the passions they invoke and stay clear of social/political issues.
Perversion of the truth, Is what took out WTC. Perversion of the truth is the Liberal way.
The president now in office is a perversion. Facts as outlined.
1, Raised & schooled in Indonesia as a child-Non U.S. citizen.
2. Pakastan trip in the 80s-U,S, citizens forbiden to enter.
3. Avoides congress with Executive Fiat- Unlwafull orders.
4. Bail out of auto industry? Union bailout,GM stopped Volt production, still pending BK
5. Anti American schooling with domestic terrorist (B.A.) Rev.Wright also anti U.S.A.
6. Anti business -closed energy production-Failed renewable agenda(political paybacks)
7. Lied to & Bribed the masses with union support..
8. Foreign policys , nonexistant- Arab Spring. Dead Ambasadors.
9. Used Birth control to attack Religon-Sued the states for enforcing law.
10. If you think Obama did a good job in the last 4 years-YOU ARE THE PROBLEM
I have no party -America & Constatitution first.
No liberty lost? Try buying a 32 oz drink in New York or Smoke in Santa Monica.
Don – Let me follow your logic: Your first comment, you seem to believe that Islam is the truth. Odd for a conservatard, but okay, you are entitled to believe whatever you wish – this is America. The next statement is a bold one. In my world bold claims require bold evidence. I don’t think that you or Rush have any evidence, bold or not. The next line is sedition. See 18 USC § 2384 - Seditious Conspiracy, or if you are in the armed forces Articles 88 and 94, UCMJ. Now for you so called “Facts”
1. Is going to school from 1st to 4th grade in Indonesia a crime? John McCain was born in Panama. We have gone to war with Panama but not Indonesia.
2. Mr. Obama did travel to India and Pakistan in 1981 for a total of three weeks. Not a crime, no us citizens banned from entry. Get your facts straight before you rant.
3. This is adorable. As chief executive he has powers that do not require congressional approval. Please read the constitution for more info.
4. Auto bailout – probably saved about 1 million jobs – USA jobs. You don’t like unions? Then do not ever work less than 40 hours per week or take a paid holiday or vacation. Lockheed and Chrysler got similar treatment years ago –you good with that?
5. More right-wing bullshit from Rush and Shawn. Have you ever had an original thought? Seriously, an informed electorate is vital to the survival of our democracy. You are not helping.
6. The facts are that business (especially big business) has done just fine under Mr. Obama. Profits are up and they have a huge pile of cash in the bank. On energy (oil and gas) please take to time to get your facts straight. You are mislead about the oil lease issue. Big Oil was sitting on the leases preventing production until Uncle Sam said “use it or lose it” and big oil didn’t like that. See fist statement of response 5.
7. Another bold statement, please see response 5. Unions are a shrinking population with lots of old white guys that voted for Mr. Romney. Hey, where’s my bribe?
8. Back to Item 5. Really? Don’t you ever listen to anything but Faux “news”? (Just an aside, Mr. Obama has been a real bad-ass on the bad guys – Ben Laden dead, most of Al Qaida upper management turned into pink fog and bone fragments, AWACS in Libya (no boots on the ground) In short, what is your beef? Be specific.)
9. Ah, religion and birth control. What it to ya? You are a white male, aren’t you Don? You are not in the game – shut up and color. States not enforcing laws? Not in my America! All red states too. Is that a coincidence? You decide.
10. Yep, I think that Mr. Obama did a good job. In fact, if the Republitards had not blocked all of his recovery plans, you might even have a job now too! Your vision of America went out with Leave it to Beaver and the Voting rights Act. Oh Don, have the courage of your convictions, be a proud Republitard –own it! The cool part about America is that you can be a moron and your vote counts just as much as anybody else's. Again, please read the US Constitution and remember that it enshrines the concept of 3/5 of a person. We had a “dust-up” over that, and your side lost – just like last Tuesday.
Lastly, your comments on freedoms lost – Wow, those are really first-world problems! I pray for the poor souls in New York City and Santa Monica with their oppression and loss of freedom. (Try a better example in your next rant – It will make you sound more credible)
You can have the first seat on the USS Titanic, You are clueless on the facts, CIA,CBA, and other public record information are accessable, Any Government agency, Federal, County, city. Have a good trip,
Don, I'm surprised you have Internet in your bunker! Typical right wing, conspiracy nut response "you can look it up yourself." Please do us grown ups a favor and stock up on rations, lock the door to the bomb shelter and stay out of society.
Don - Come on, be specific. You can have your own opinions, but not your own facts! Our friends at Fox News had their own facts about the election. How did that turn out? You cite the public record. What freedoms have you lost? Okay, list them. That's a bitch, isn't it.
If you think Mr. Obama is a Muslim, socialist, Kenyan,communist, Nazi, anti-Christ tell me why. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof! I'm am waiting for your list of references - or did you just hear it on the radio or read it on the internet.
Here's the deal: the last 12 years have piled on such a large amount of national debt that we realistically have no hope of ever paying it off... especially when our nation's capacity to generate wealth appears to be at its lowest point in generations (or possibly the lowest point ever) - that's a HUGE problem that won't go away. It would seem to me that anyone that thinks we are headed toward rosy times is not facing reality in any form. This house is gonna collapse, and when it does, things will get dark, very dark. I don't think anyone here will disagree that the debt is OUT OF CONTROL... that's what we should all be talking about.
Martt
Do you see any exceptions for abortion?
Martt:
It is, of course, your blog, and you can post anything you want. I'll not argue politics with you, but I think the following might be instructive:
'"Yes, Dan'l Webster's dead ----- or, at least, they buried him. But every time there's a thunderstorm around Marshfield, they say you can hear his rolling voice in the hollows of the sky. And they say that if you go to his grave and speak loud and clear, "Dan'l Webster ----- Dan'l Webster!" the ground'll begin to shiver and the trees begin to shake. And after a while you'll hear a deep voice saying, "Neighbor, how stands the Union?" Then you better answer the Union stands as she stood, rock-bottomed and copper-sheathed, one and indivisible, or he's liable to rear right out of the ground. At least, that's what I was told when I was a youngster."'
-- Steven Vincent Benet, "The Devil and Daniel Webster"
I think we need to trust the American people.
Don - I just noticed the "USS Titanic" remark. I guess that I missed the metaphor. Do you mean something like "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic", or just a big fast ship that gets run into an iceberg? Titanic was a corporately owned ship of British registry. Do you mean that US corporations are speeding toward a metaphoric iceberg? Or do you think that corporations are running America into an iceberg? Have you ever taken a History class? You'd be amazed by what you learn. Or is learning to "uppity" for you?
Matt I enjoy your blog and respectfully disagree with your political and religious opinions. Can I take a minute to offer my observation on the election and the push back on religion so prevalent today?
Anyone who spends any time monitoring the various news outlets, if they can even be called news rather than infotainment these days, will notice one glaring fact. One particular news outlet gets their stories wrong more than all the others. One type of talk radio program gets their predictions destroyed by reality more often then all other types. And one set of answers about how the world works gets trashed by the truth of science way more often then those science facts have to be revised by those who created them.
This gets noticed by lots of folks. The lies and half truths and deceptions told by one group is weighed against the honest "I don't know" answers and the "lets work on that" attitude of the other group. People going into the election and people struggling to find a world view are asking the same questions. Who do I believe? What do I believe?Those who I know and can prove are lying to me, or those who like me, want to seek answers to the questions rather than disallowing questions of the prearranged answers.
This is in my view why all churches are losing congregants at a steady pace and why the republican party, now a wholly owned subsidiary of the evangelical right, will never again be a powerful force in American politics. I am however looking forward to seeing what replaces them to balance the 2 party system we seem so fond of endorsing.