Incoming TX Cold

Isn’t Allen West still around?

I think so, but I’ve got to imagine that he’s too crazy even for our crazies.

How’d he get elected State GOP Chair?

Who votes for that? A handful of other, equally radical jokers. I don’t think (or, more accurately, hope) that that translates to primary success. I may be wrong, and this state may be further round the bend than I thought.

I put nothing past the voters of Texas until proven wrong.

If I had a nickel for each time a passenger asked me about flying and their injecting into the conversation, “Is it like Microsoft Flight Simulator? I’ve flown a lot of that…” well, I’d be mighty rich and buy everyone a Good Humor Bar.

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So is it?

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No one dies when you crash in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

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When doing IFR training, I wore what was essentially a baseball cap with a hugely exaggerated bill so that I could see the instruments but I could not see out. That was a little video gamish.

I was learning at RAF Manston which was equipped with approach radar (can’t remember the proper term for it) that allowed the ATC to talk you in on instruments to about 1/2 mile from the threshold. That was not like a video game; that was like making the Death Star trench run without benefit of The Force. I don’t think I’ve ever sweated so much in my entire life.

You’re listening to a voice telling you to make adjustments to your heading, speed, rate of descent, etc. while having no idea if any of it is correct. You just have to trust the voice. “Stay on target…”

Then, you get the announcement that radar service is terminated. You rip off the hood to see that you are lined up perfectly on the center line and on the glide path. So you immediately make some adjustments and fuck it up.

It’s called doing your own research.

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Ah, yes, Precision Approach Radar/PAR approaches! I remember doing a couple of those going into Albuquerque International Sunport in Flight School. Eerily similar to what you describe, Ray. Eesh.

If one is having to do a PAR, that’s a mighty bad day and it’s probably just your time…

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Ish?

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Just like driving a car is the same as playing Grand Theft Auto!

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My SimCity experience >>> your masters in civil engineering

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My previous company: Why do you think our company culture is toxic?

Me: gestures at Master’s in culture and economy

It doesn’t matter.

Virtual Power Plants are a thing now (not in Texas…probably). This has to be the way to go.

Can they be linked wirelessly?

They connect to the grid as normal, and allow the grid to pull power from your battery when you don’t need it, and pay you handsomely for the privilege.

I was kidding about the wireless part, but I guess batteries can’t currently connect to the grid?

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Maybe in some states/areas but I’m fairly certain it’s not possible in Texas: if you get solar + batteries, neither of them can be grid-tied.

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