wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja) (08/15/84)
Re cruise controls... > More serious is the lack of a 'tilt' sensor. This is a very simple > device to install if you don't have one. Of course you would never > drive when drunk or tired and run off the road, but it's not hard to > imagine someone under the influence of both Jack Daniels and Escort > cruising comatose down the median strip, bouncing off other cars, and > generally ruining everybody's day. Not necessary to imagine at all. A few years ago, my old Civil Air Patrol squadron was called out on a search for a missing Beechcraft Bonanza (the infamous fork-tailled doctor killer). It was eventually found by a farmer- 350 MILES past the pilot's destination. Seems the guy partied late, took off, climbed to altitude and set the autopilot with a course for home. This much was obvious from examination of the wreckage. A logical assumption is that the pilot passed out after setting the autopilot, and the 'ol cruise control held his heading and altitude until the fuel ran out. Even without the alcohol, waking up from a nice nap and recovering from the resulting spin -in the dark- would have been difficult. As it was....