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Random Thoughts Thread

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  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    This whole crossover craze has gone a bit too far....

  • Cmicasa the Great
    Cmicasa the Great

    Been away for a while.. summer stuff.. figured I'd get out an live while the weather was warm. Decided to get back into riding bikes.. had given it up back in '05 after my then wife (now ex) had issue

  • β€’ β€’ β€’ ORDERED A TRUCK TODAY. β€’ β€’ β€’

Posted Images

2 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

Loving the G90 Wingback profile.

Genesis G90 Wingback previews wild M5 Touring rival | Autocar

Very slick! Very nice! Straight to my wagon lovin' heart!

On 11/21/2025 at 1:35 PM, Robert Hall said:

That green Genesis wagon is gorgeous... would love to see a Cadillac sport wagon again.Β 

Agreed, CTS-V wagon for me in another life, where I could afford and enjoy it.Β 

Interesting take on EV

On 11/22/2025 at 5:09 PM, G. David Felt said:

If only America could embrace the future and not shun it.Β 

On 11/21/2025 at 7:47 PM, G. David Felt said:

Zero sympathy for farmers losing their farms, Trumpers losing their homes, vehicles, livelihoods, NADA, zero sympathy.Β 

On 11/21/2025 at 6:02 PM, G. David Felt said:

Thanksgiving Turkey GIF by Animanias

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!

Thanks, headed to North Carolina.Β 

I really like how well this bike is designed and executed. I am a big guy, and I love steel framed bikes.Β 

Β 

So much winning....!

And more winning!

Β 

While not a fan of Mercedes style, great that the CLA will go Toe to Toe with Tesla 3 in range and spec that is more reliable than Tesla. Better yet on a true 800V system with top charging of 320kW, twice as fast as Tesla.

https://www.topspeed.com/mercedes-benz-cla-pricing-range-aimed-squarely-at-tesla/

Join me in wishing @G. David FeltΒ a HAPPY BIRTHDAY on this Thanksgiv!ng Day!

1 hour ago, trinacriabob said:

Join me in wishing @G. David FeltΒ a HAPPY BIRTHDAY on this Thanksgiv!ng Day!

Much appreciated, wow the big 58, was up late last night cooking Pies, we have Pumpkin, Pumpkin / Cream Cheese, Pecan, and Apple pies to feed the mob coming for lunch today. Back to the cooking grind.Β 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

Thanksgiving Turkey GIF by Animanias

16 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

cooking

For me, cooking is a very trying and traumatic experience.Β  LOL.

1 hour ago, trinacriabob said:

For me, cooking is a very trying and traumatic experience.Β  LOL.

I learn from my failures and push to be better.

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

I learn from my failures and push to be better.

It's that I don't like being in the kitchen, minding the sequences, buying and stocking up on ingredients.Β  I never got into it when I should have.Β  On the other hand, if I liked my own cooking, I might have a problem on my hands!

3 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

It's that I don't like being in the kitchen, minding the sequences, buying and stocking up on ingredients.Β  I never got into it when I should have.Β  On the other hand, if I liked my own cooking, I might have a problem on my hands!

Yes, moderation is a challenge for this foodie. I love to cook, have learned to moderate how much I eat as I gotten older.

On 11/27/2025 at 11:07 AM, G. David Felt said:

Much appreciated, wow the big 58, was up late last night cooking Pies, we have Pumpkin, Pumpkin / Cream Cheese, Pecan, and Apple pies to feed the mob coming for lunch today. Back to the cooking grind.Β 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

Thanksgiving Turkey GIF by Animanias

Β 

Happy Birthday!!!

Cheers!!!

Β 

Rivian has opened a new 8 stall 350kW fast charger station at Lynnwood mall plus a 9th Handicap fast charge stall. Seems when remote service is being done they are tagged red as two of the units are. They take credit or debit cards on top of if you setup a Rivian app account.Β 

There are now over 100 fast charge stations within a 5 mile radius of where I live.

20251129_082515.jpg

On 11/27/2025 at 11:07 AM, G. David Felt said:

Much appreciated, wow the big 58, was up late last night cooking Pies, we have Pumpkin, Pumpkin / Cream Cheese, Pecan, and Apple pies to feed the mob coming for lunch today. Back to the cooking grind.Β 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

Thanksgiving Turkey GIF by Animanias

Belated Happy Birthday David!

image.jpeg

Now

Then

- - - - -

For a moment, I thought I was seeing double ...

Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin Partner to Accelerate Next-Generation Tire Technologies for Future Mobility

  • Joint R&D to deliver extreme-low rolling resistance and high-performance tires using advanced solutions
  • Collaboration to expand virtual development capabilities and Embedded Tire Digital Twin technologiesΒ 
  • Builds on previous achievements to strengthen technological leadershipΒ 

Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin Partner to Accelerate Next-Generation Tire Technologies for Future Mobility - Hyundai Newsroom

Hyundai Motor Group Expands EV Energy Services with Vehicle to Grid and Vehicle to Home

  • Hyundai Motor and Kia expand Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) services, enabling electric vehicles (EVs) to store, supply and share electricity with grids and homes
  • Launch Korea’s first Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) pilot service for customers, supporting Jeju’s renewable-energy goals
  • Expand Europe’s EV energy services by advancing from Smart Charging (V1G) service to bidirectional V2G capabilities, starting with the Netherlands
  • Broaden Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) services in the U.S., turning EVs into emergency backup power and energy-storage solutions
  • New initiatives reinforce Hyundai Motor Group’s commitment to sustainable mobility and global carbon neutrality

Hyundai Motor Group Expands EV Energy Services with Vehicle to Grid and Vehicle to Home - Hyundai Newsroom

IONNA Surges ahead in California with a planned investment of $250M, New Rechargery Stations, and Expanded Integration

  • IONNA announces over $250 million planned investment in California EV infrastructure
  • Over 1,100 bays live or under construction, nationwide
  • IONNA Plug & Charge now available with seven manufacturers

IONNA Surges ahead in California with a planned investment of $250M, New Rechargery Stations, and Expanded Integration

On 11/27/2025 at 6:07 PM, G. David Felt said:

Yes, moderation is a challenge for this foodie. I love to cook, have learned to moderate how much I eat as I gotten older.

I have also.Β 

Β 

Economy is slowing.Β 

3 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

I have also.Β 

Β 

Economy is slowing.Β 

Just not slowing, but those that have followed what companies do especially in support or lack of support to the current Lemming Administration dictates where people will spend their money.

Home Depot CEO / Chairman and the Founder of Home Depot are hard core Idiot47 supporters and has paid millions to the Dirty Dumb Donald. As such, I have stopped shopping there. There is a local chain and Lowes here so Home Depot is no longer a place I shop.

If you wonder who has changed DEI or support Idiot47 you can get the full details here:Β List of American Companies that Support President Donald Trump - Newsweek

Below are a list of companies that have either donated to Trump's presidential campaign or the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Elon Musk: $290 million
Timothy Mellon: $150 million
Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment & Research: $106 million
Linda McMahon of WWE: $16 million
Hendricks Holding Co: $15 million
Bigelow Aerospace: $14.1 million
Laura & Issac Perlmutter Foundation: 12.4 million
ABC Supply: $11 million
Cantor Fitzgerald: $11 million
Uline: $10 million
Pratt Industries: $10 million
British American Tobacco: $10 million
Southern Waste Systems: $9 million
Elliott Management: $7 million
Andreessen Horowitz: $7 million
Viotl Inc: $6 million
Timothy Dunn of CrownQuest: $5 million
Jeff Sprecher of Intercontinental Exchange and Kelly Loeffler: $4.9 million
Phil Ruffin, a business partner of Trump's: $3.3 million
Jimmy John Liautaud of Jimmy John's: $3.1 million
Geoffrey Palmer: $3 million
Bernard Marcus, former CEO of Home Depot: $2.7 million
Robert Johnson, owner of New York Jets: $2.7 million
Winklevoss twins: $2.6 million
Kenny Troutt of Excel Communications: $2.2 million
George Bishop of GeoSouthern Energy: $2 million
J. Joe Ricketts of TD Ameritrade: $2 million
Chevron: $2 million
Robinhood Markets: $2 million
Andrew Beal of Beal Bank: $1.8 million
Don Ahern of Xtreme Manufacturing: $1.1 million
Roger Penske of Penske Corporation: $1.1 million
Steve Wynn: $1.1 million
Richard Kurtz of The Kamson Corporation: $1.1 million
Antonio Gracias of Valor Equity Partners: $1 million
Douglas Leone of Sequoia Capital: $1 million
OpenAI: $1 million
ExxonMobil: $1 million
Amazon: $1 million
Meta: $1 million
Uber: $1 million
Boeing: $1 million
Qualcomm: $1 million
Coinbase: $1 million
Kraken: $1 million
Galaxy Digital Holdings: $1 million
Crypto.com: $1 million
Paradigm Operations: $1 million
Goldman Sachs: $1 million
Altria: $1 million
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America: $1 million
Bayer: $1 million
Johnson & Johnson: $1 million
National Association of Manufacturers: $1 million
AT&T: $1 million
Comcast: $1 million
Verizon: $1 million
Carrier: $1 million
Intuit: $1 million
Coupang: $1 million
GE Vernova: $500,000
QCells: $500,000
Ericsson: $500,000
CoreCivic: $500,000
GEO Group: $500,000
Abbott Laboratories: $500,000
PayPal: $250,000
HCA Healthcare: $250,000
Oklo Inc: $250,000
Coca-Cola: $250,000
American Beverage Association: $250,000
Syngenta: $250,000
International Flavors & Fragrances: $250,000
Elevance Health: $150,000
American Clean Power Association: $100,000
Instacart: $100,000
Airbnb: $100,000
Socure: $100,000
Barnes & Thornburg LLP: $100,000

10 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

Just not slowing, but those that have followed what companies do especially in support or lack of support to the current Lemming Administration dictates where people will spend their money.

Home Depot CEO / Chairman and the Founder of Home Depot are hard core Idiot47 supporters and has paid millions to the Dirty Dumb Donald. As such, I have stopped shopping there. There is a local chain and Lowes here so Home Depot is no longer a place I shop.

If you wonder who has changed DEI or support Idiot47 you can get the full details here:Β List of American Companies that Support President Donald Trump - Newsweek

Below are a list of companies that have either donated to Trump's presidential campaign or the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Elon Musk: $290 million
Timothy Mellon: $150 million
Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment & Research: $106 million
Linda McMahon of WWE: $16 million
Hendricks Holding Co: $15 million
Bigelow Aerospace: $14.1 million
Laura & Issac Perlmutter Foundation: 12.4 million
ABC Supply: $11 million
Cantor Fitzgerald: $11 million
Uline: $10 million
Pratt Industries: $10 million
British American Tobacco: $10 million
Southern Waste Systems: $9 million
Elliott Management: $7 million
Andreessen Horowitz: $7 million
Viotl Inc: $6 million
Timothy Dunn of CrownQuest: $5 million
Jeff Sprecher of Intercontinental Exchange and Kelly Loeffler: $4.9 million
Phil Ruffin, a business partner of Trump's: $3.3 million
Jimmy John Liautaud of Jimmy John's: $3.1 million
Geoffrey Palmer: $3 million
Bernard Marcus, former CEO of Home Depot: $2.7 million
Robert Johnson, owner of New York Jets: $2.7 million
Winklevoss twins: $2.6 million
Kenny Troutt of Excel Communications: $2.2 million
George Bishop of GeoSouthern Energy: $2 million
J. Joe Ricketts of TD Ameritrade: $2 million
Chevron: $2 million
Robinhood Markets: $2 million
Andrew Beal of Beal Bank: $1.8 million
Don Ahern of Xtreme Manufacturing: $1.1 million
Roger Penske of Penske Corporation: $1.1 million
Steve Wynn: $1.1 million
Richard Kurtz of The Kamson Corporation: $1.1 million
Antonio Gracias of Valor Equity Partners: $1 million
Douglas Leone of Sequoia Capital: $1 million
OpenAI: $1 million
ExxonMobil: $1 million
Amazon: $1 million
Meta: $1 million
Uber: $1 million
Boeing: $1 million
Qualcomm: $1 million
Coinbase: $1 million
Kraken: $1 million
Galaxy Digital Holdings: $1 million
Crypto.com: $1 million
Paradigm Operations: $1 million
Goldman Sachs: $1 million
Altria: $1 million
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America: $1 million
Bayer: $1 million
Johnson & Johnson: $1 million
National Association of Manufacturers: $1 million
AT&T: $1 million
Comcast: $1 million
Verizon: $1 million
Carrier: $1 million
Intuit: $1 million
Coupang: $1 million
GE Vernova: $500,000
QCells: $500,000
Ericsson: $500,000
CoreCivic: $500,000
GEO Group: $500,000
Abbott Laboratories: $500,000
PayPal: $250,000
HCA Healthcare: $250,000
Oklo Inc: $250,000
Coca-Cola: $250,000
American Beverage Association: $250,000
Syngenta: $250,000
International Flavors & Fragrances: $250,000
Elevance Health: $150,000
American Clean Power Association: $100,000
Instacart: $100,000
Airbnb: $100,000
Socure: $100,000
Barnes & Thornburg LLP: $100,000

I try to boycott all of the above every chance I get, including trying to avoid flying on Boeing planes.Β 

Interesting spring trip.Β 

Β 

I plan on being home for a few months though, spent a pleasant Thanksgiving seeing family, and hiking and biking in Kentucky and North Carolina.Β 

Pics from Kentucky, Dawkins rail trail.Β IMG_9921.thumb.jpg.12d70fa1a15e4491f7145ab91b2823fe.jpg

Β 

Β 

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Met this critter on a ride...

Trolls at the Hike at the NC Asheville Arboretum

Β 

Β 

Β 

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Β 

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Β 

My thanksgiving dinner.Β 

IMG_9759.thumb.jpg.393e0d3e78fc97d4289dd838d981570b.jpg

Β 

Two cheap old bikes, ready to roll again. This is my older bike for when I go on trips and don't feel like bringing a better one. Knew there would be rain coming back, didn't want to haul a better bike through rain in the back of the Ranger.Β 

IMG_9736.thumb.jpg.135bd646d4f925269edaf7313cc15189.jpg

Β 

Been into bikes lately, like the look of this Surly fat tire bike. I love steel frames.Β 

IMG_9722.thumb.jpg.8d6c7f30857c5a5045608f2c8ef38600.jpg

Β 

Music!

2 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Β 

The stress planes take, nothing over 10yrs old should be flying.

5 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

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Β 

1.Β  Yes, lose the white trash billionaireΒ 

2.Β  Stereotypes?Β  20,000 Frenchman can't be wrong.Β  Often substantiated by numbers.Β  We've all seen the big truck owners, and their purchased testosterone, and the Soobie ladies way too many times

3.Β  Misty and Crystal may very well live in nearbyΒ double wides

4.Β  Even lower than that if it's purple or lime, but you're on the right track

And that was a nicely plated Thanksgiving meal.Β  On the other hand, I helped myself to quite a bit of the hummus and avocado on pita and chips prior to several plates of turkey and accompaniments.Β  I also went to Trader Joe's prior to going to dinner and bought those small bags of dark chocolate and peanut butter cups for all the attendees in addition to the requested bottle of wine.

7 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

IMG_9917.thumb.jpg.cb24e80c2b4718fb049fed81c91846e5.jpg

Met this critter on a ride...

Just say ...

... YES

Did someone own this cat?Β  Some of them have great personalities.

Why is it always a Nissan Altima with a missing hubcap, smashed mirror, and bumper cover flapping in the wind who needs to go 20 mph over prevailing traffic? What are you late for besides your car payment?

20 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

The stress planes take, nothing over 10yrs old should be flying.

Planes can safely fly much longer.Β 

2 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Why is it always a Nissan Altima with a missing hubcap, smashed mirror, and bumper cover flapping in the wind who needs to go 20 mph over prevailing traffic? What are you late for besides your car payment?

I love watching Altimas get crushed at the salvage yard.Β 

Β 

18 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

Just say ...

... YES

Did someone own this cat?Β  Some of them have great personalities.

Yes....I have two grey cats like that, I love grey cats.Β 

Hypnotic ride through Mexico City.Β 

Β 

Β 

23 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

The stress planes take, nothing over 10yrs old should be flying.

Yes and ummmmm...no.Β 

3 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Planes can safely fly much longer.Β 

Yes.

Β 

Metal fatigue is a very real thing in aviation.Β  Its more about how many times the sheet metal has expanded and contractedΒ  under stress rather than the age of the airplane itself.Β  10 years is somewhat too young for an airplane to be retired as airplanes are engineered fly double and even triple that age.Β  Unless of course the airplane in question has taken off, flown and landed enough times that would equal its maximum lifespan in 10 years.Β Β 

This latest accident, UPS had a 34 year old McDonnel-Douglas MD-11 flying around.Β  Now...at 34 years of age, this airplane should been of concern... yes.Β  Β Like I said, airplanes' lifespans reach 30 years.Β  Sometimes more than that if maintenance is done properly and rigorously.Β Β 

Using google and Wikipedia, if fact, 2 months prior, the airplane in question HAD been grounded for 6 weeks because cracks were found in the fuel tanks. Corrosion was also found in the structural beams in its fuselage. Repairs were made.Β 

However, with airplanes, age is not a criteria for maintenance. But hours of flight and "cycles".Β  Β A cycle is 1 take-off and 1 landing sequence.Β  The airplane had logged 21000 and change cycles and the maintenance threshold for what had ultimately failed in the airplane was not due until 28 000 and 29 000 cycles.Β 

Now...at 34 years old, maybe more vigilance was needed...

This is how the airplane safety industry works. It takes an accident to amend and/or instate new safety regulations.Β  Maybe with this accident, NTSB will implement an age criteria too alongside flight hours and cycles.Β  At age 30 and a more rigorous inspection is to happen and not rely solely on cycles and flight hours.Β 

Β 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPS_Airlines_Flight_2976

The aircraft, N259UP, was a 34-year-oldΒ McDonnell Douglas MD-11FΒ with manufacturer serial number 48417. The aircraft was first delivered toΒ Thai Airways InternationalΒ in 1991 with the registration HS-TME,[7]Β after which it was converted to a cargo aircraft and delivered to UPS Airlines in 2006. It had flown 21,043 cycles and for about 92,992 hours,[8]Β and was equipped with threeΒ General Electric CF6-80C2D1FΒ engines.[9][10][11]Β The last visual inspections of the left pylon aft mount were performed in October 2021. More rigorous "Special Detailed Inspections" for the mount lugs and wing clevis were not yet due, as the aircraft's 21,043 accumulated cycles were well below the 28,000 and 29,200 cycle thresholds required for those checks. Two months before the crash, it had been grounded for six weeks to repair a cracked fuel tank, and corrosion was later found along two structural beams in the fuselage. The aircraft re-entered service a few weeks before the crash.[12]

Β 

Β 

@A Horse With No NameΒ @oldshurst442Β You guys are correct, cycle of take off and landing more than age. I should have expanded myself as my brother inlaw is a manager at Boeing with many patents for his specialty which is the airplane engines on the 737, 757, 777, 787 and the king 747. He has stated that the force of the engines cause fatigue in ALL aircrafts that hit 10 years and depending on the flying they have done, passenger versus freight, while a plane can go 20 or 30 years, many should have a very close inspection at 10 years for corrosion, metal fatigue, etc. Could be one reason some airline companies retire their aircraft after 10 years rather than continue to fly them.Β 

Many things make up the age of an aircraft and years is only 1 little part of it, Force makes up a much bigger part.Β 

Thank you for pointing out what I failed to expand on in my original post.

4 hours ago, A Horse With No Name said:

Planes can safely fly much longer.Β 

Yes....I have two grey cats like that, I love grey cats.Β 

I also like black cats.

I flew on a 747-400 within the last year or two.Β  I think it was about 25 years old.Β  It's an incredible machine.Β  I'm always a happy camper (without a Subaru) when I'm aboard one.Β 

1 hour ago, G. David Felt said:

@A Horse With No NameΒ @oldshurst442Β You guys are correct, cycle of take off and landing more than age. I should have expanded myself as my brother inlaw is a manager at Boeing with many patents for his specialty which is the airplane engines on the 737, 757, 777, 787 and the king 747. He has stated that the force of the engines cause fatigue in ALL aircrafts that hit 10 years and depending on the flying they have done, passenger versus freight, while a plane can go 20 or 30 years, many should have a very close inspection at 10 years for corrosion, metal fatigue, etc. Could be one reason some airline companies retire their aircraft after 10 years rather than continue to fly them.Β 

Many things make up the age of an aircraft and years is only 1 little part of it, Force makes up a much bigger part.Β 

Thank you for pointing out what I failed to expand on in my original post.

Β 

Canada's waterbomber fleet

These guys

Manitoba's fleet is 40 years old

What is it like to fly a water bomber? This Manitoban can tell you | CBC  News

While Quebec's youngest fleet is also at 40 years old while its oldest is 53 years old.Β Β 

Quebec sends two more water bombers to Los Angeles to fight fires - The  Quebec Chronicle Telegraph

Β 

Spain, Greece and France also have the same age range as Quebec's.Β  The older version which is the CL-215,Β  is 50 years plus in service for all that use it. They are still flying.Β  The next gen CL 415 is 30-40 years in service for all fleet users.Β 

Canadair/Bombardier has sold the license to Viking and they are currently working on updating the airplane. It is called the CL 515.Β  Β European users are desperately wanting to replace their fleets.Β  Deliveries of the new CL 515 is said to be in early 2026.Β 

With the water bombers, its not just cycles that put pressure on the sheet metal for metal fatigue. Its the weight of the water itself taking off from a lake. But mostly, when the water gets released.Β  HUGE amounts of pressure stressesΒ  the structure when the water is released and all that weight that is released instantly and is no more.Β Β 

15 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

I also like black cats.

I flew on a 747-400 within the last year or two.Β  I think it was about 25 years old.Β  It's an incredible machine.Β  I'm always a happy camper (without a Subaru) when I'm aboard one.Β 

I have had a couple of amazing black cats.Β 

14 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

Β 

Canada's waterbomber fleet

These guys

Manitoba's fleet is 40 years old

What is it like to fly a water bomber? This Manitoban can tell you | CBC  News

While Quebec's youngest fleet is also at 40 years old while its oldest is 53 years old.Β Β 

Quebec sends two more water bombers to Los Angeles to fight fires - The  Quebec Chronicle Telegraph

Β 

Spain, Greece and France also have the same age range as Quebec's.Β  The older version which is the CL-215,Β  is 50 years plus in service for all that use it. They are still flying.Β  The next gen CL 415 is 30-40 years in service for all fleet users.Β 

Canadair/Bombardier has sold the license to Viking and they are currently working on updating the airplane. It is called the CL 515.Β  Β European users are desperately wanting to replace their fleets.Β  Deliveries of the new CL 515 is said to be in early 2026.Β 

With the water bombers, its not just cycles that put pressure on the sheet metal for metal fatigue. Its the weight of the water itself taking off from a lake. But mostly, when the water gets released.Β  HUGE amounts of pressure stressesΒ  the structure when the water is released and all that weight that is released instantly and is no more.Β Β 

The planes we use to fly into huricanes are decades old...

16 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

@A Horse With No NameΒ @oldshurst442Β You guys are correct, cycle of take off and landing more than age. I should have expanded myself as my brother inlaw is a manager at Boeing with many patents for his specialty which is the airplane engines on the 737, 757, 777, 787 and the king 747. He has stated that the force of the engines cause fatigue in ALL aircrafts that hit 10 years and depending on the flying they have done, passenger versus freight, while a plane can go 20 or 30 years, many should have a very close inspection at 10 years for corrosion, metal fatigue, etc. Could be one reason some airline companies retire their aircraft after 10 years rather than continue to fly them.Β 

Many things make up the age of an aircraft and years is only 1 little part of it, Force makes up a much bigger part.Β 

Thank you for pointing out what I failed to expand on in my original post.

They regularly go through checks where the whole interior is stripped out and the whole plane is inspected. I feel fine flying on a 25 year old aircraft. That being said, In Hawaii a roof blew off of a plane once, a stewardess got blown out of the plane, but everyone else was buckled in, landed fine. Plane obviously never flew again, was a Boeing 737. But that plane had a ton of cycles, as it was used on very short haul flights.Β 

15 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

Β 

Canada's waterbomber fleet

These guys

Manitoba's fleet is 40 years old

What is it like to fly a water bomber? This Manitoban can tell you | CBC  News

While Quebec's youngest fleet is also at 40 years old while its oldest is 53 years old.Β Β 

Quebec sends two more water bombers to Los Angeles to fight fires - The  Quebec Chronicle Telegraph

Β 

Spain, Greece and France also have the same age range as Quebec's.Β  The older version which is the CL-215,Β  is 50 years plus in service for all that use it. They are still flying.Β  The next gen CL 415 is 30-40 years in service for all fleet users.Β 

Canadair/Bombardier has sold the license to Viking and they are currently working on updating the airplane. It is called the CL 515.Β  Β European users are desperately wanting to replace their fleets.Β  Deliveries of the new CL 515 is said to be in early 2026.Β 

With the water bombers, its not just cycles that put pressure on the sheet metal for metal fatigue. Its the weight of the water itself taking off from a lake. But mostly, when the water gets released.Β  HUGE amounts of pressure stressesΒ  the structure when the water is released and all that weight that is released instantly and is no more.Β Β 

True, but in far more socialist countries, I suspect they have far better maintenance than in a capitalist society where profits are key over all else. Yes we have seen plenty of old planes all the way back to WWI that are still flying, but they have been taken care of far better than I think many for profit companies do on maintenance. Just like Ford with the Pinto, was cheaper to take the legal hit over that bomb mobile than to fix the problem from the start.

Luigi is front and center right now.

When a reporter was in front of the courthouse in New York, she was drowned out by all these people chanting in support of Luigi.Β  Our prepster has to have his nice sweaters, argyle socks, and loafers suited to his taste. There's no denying that this is yet another type of cult.Β Β 

While it's fairly certain that he did do it, from what I can read and see, there are still so many unanswered questions as to why.Β  I'm very interested in the psychological dimensions of this situation and what might have snapped.

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