MartinW

Couldn't the pilots pull the autopilot circuit breakers? Assuming, of course, they aren't Asiana - I guess they can't fly without autopilots. John Shortly after take-off? 10 feet, 25 feet... doubt they'd have time to react. There are lots of critical points in the flight where interference would be disastrous. Ordinarily, in most airliners the rule is no autopilot until 50 feet. I could envisage a scenario where just after take-off, a few feet, the nasty hackers activate the autopilot and command a disastrous manoeuvre. Given that the cockpit is a busy place at such times, and

Yep, that's why ETOPS exists. It was the 777 that was responsible for its introduction. And the reason 777 engines are so huge, is that the aircraft has to be able to handle an engine failure on takeoff. To be honest, its human nature to feel more comfortable with 4 engines, but given that engine failures are quite rare (many pilots never see an engine failure in their entire careers) and that we now have ETOPS, 2 engines are acceptably safe.

Trouble is it's all about dosh. Two engines being cheaper to maintain tickles the airlines fancy. Amounts to a considerable saving, the accountants like considerable savings.

Well it's quite clear from what you guys say, what with multiple orders in the pipeline, that the BBC have seriously mislead us.

Tom... in regard to this subject matter, that's the most fascinating post I have ever read! And very well written too! Can I assume, that when some of us on the forum claim that yes, hacking into an aircrafts systems for nefarious purposes is technically possible but extremely unlikely, that we are mistaken. It seems to me, that it's most certainly feasible NOW, not necessarily in years to come as systems become more complex and integrated. Seems it's not just planes now Tom, trains too... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-32402481

Are the days numbered for super sized Jumbo aircraft like the 747 and A380? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32400130

I think the plane was called a hornet Matt.

Bloody hell! When you see the actual numbers it's stunning. Do you think it's a testament to the fact that coding is still pretty primitive? In the future, perhaps with more advanced programing languages and more efficient coding strategies, we will be doing more with far less. Less code, less potential for error.

This has all become very clear to me now. We should listen to the wisdom of Admiral Adama. There was none of this networking nonsense on the Battlestar Galactica! Oh no, not a chance. Any of that business and the Cylons would be hacking like crazy. Those guys know code like the back of their metal hands. Joking aside, it's clear from what you guys are saying that this isn't BS at all. This is an issue that needs to be taken very seriously.

Not the first time... In October 2013 the pilot of a Cessna 172 aircraft became unwell whilst flying from Skegness, Lincolnshire, England. His 77-year-old passenger controlled the plane for over an hour and landed it safely at Humberside Airport under instruction from air traffic controllers, two flying instructors and the crew of a Westland Sea King helicopter assisted too. He had no previous flying experience! This is it, great video. He veers off the runway at the end but great job. This was filmed from the Sea King.

The report... http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-370

Is it BS? Probably is. However, this is a genuine report from the GAO. You have to put it into perspective though. hacking into the cockpit isn't the same as hacking into the avionics. There are key network separation capabilities in place, security protocols, defence mechanisms etc. It's right that the GAO alert us to the potential danger, but by the same token it must be put into the proper perspective. Possible but highly improbable.

No probs Bruce.

I'm not being funny but was that in jest? Not to install important OS security updates is a VERY bad idea. You've been lucky up to now, but flaws in operating systems are exactly that, flaws, vulnerabilities. As for "if it aint broke don't fix it". It is broke, hence the vulnerabilities. Not to mention numerous performance improvements that have been in Windows Update of course. Here's a nice list of vulnerabiltes for you to peruse... http://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-26/product_id-17153/hasexp-1/Microsoft-Windows-7.html

Here's a worse scenario for you than a mere baggage handler falling asleep ONCE! What about 56% of pilots admitting they have fallen asleep on the job??? What do we do, condemn 56% of pilots as lazy bums and sack them all. Assume they did it deliberately? Assume it's all their fault and nothing to do with stupid hours. Don't think you would. So don't instantly condemn the baggage handler either until you know the facts.

I'm afraid personal responsibility doesn't come into it if the human body is fatigued enough. The body's responses don't care about personal responsibility. Did you not see the bit were I stated that I would be the first to condemn him if it transpires that he is indeed a lazy sod? Had the same experience myself. My son Daniel didn't sleep through the night for 18 months. We tried everything we could, nothing worked. We ended up taking it in turns each night. One night zero sleep, one night sleep. We were both exhausted, but despite that I had to go to work the next morning and engage in high

Yes he did state he fell asleep. However none of us here know WHY he fell asleep. Was he being forced to work long shifts by management? Was he trying to make ends meet and had a screaming baby at home keeping him awake? Probably not, but my point is that there are 1001 reasons why he may have fallen asleep. Yes, one of the reasons may be that he's a lazy sod, but none of us here know that. Hence why we shouldn't jump to conclusions and condem him as just a lazy sod and call for him to be sacked. Our knowledge in regard to the background to this story is zero. Don't worry, if it's revealed

Promise? John Absolutely no chance.

Interesting reading about your experiences Alan. And the morel of the story is that we are all fallible human beings that from time to time make mistakes, or succumb to a bout of somnolence. Being too quick to judge is a bad idea.

That's a little political, don't you think, John? It's good to know your views but I don't think this forum is the appropriate place to express them so explicitly. Dai. Precisely! If it had been me all hell would have been unleashed. Just kidding. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-scientific-fundamentalist/201003/why-liberals-are-more-intelligent-conservatives I'm now going to run away and hide.

You guys are so harsh. And without knowing the facts, his prersonal circumstances. You may be right of course, he may be a lazy good for nothing bum. On the other hand he may be a model worker with an untarnished record. And yes, airport baggage handlers do actually work long hours hauling heavy bags, so perhaps the occasional knackered worker falling asleep should be expected. But hey, lets not have sympathy. Lets not consider any personal circumstances that may have contributed. lets just condemn him and call for him to be sacked. And no, it's not "like that here" not unle

Geoff you are the master of the pun. And in Shakespeare's day the pun was the highest form of wit.

Thunderbirds was great, but you can't beat Stingray. "I am calling battle stations! Anything can happen in the next half hour!"

Rubbish! Music way over the top. Damned annoying. Far too prominent. Whole show way too fast paced. Shame could have been really good. CGI was great.

Nope, you're forgetting something very important. Brains is very cleaver, he has perfected an anti-aging medication. Something to do with telomeres I believe.