Navy Pilot: New MH370 Evidence, Nuclear War & "Zombie Flights"

Takeaways

• ❖Pilot retirement at 65 is a 1959 rule, originally pushed by an American Airlines CEO to reduce costs, not due to cognitive decline.
• ❖Pilots undergo rigorous physicals every six months and cognitive assessments every nine months during check rides.
• ❖Common issues affecting younger pilots include substance abuse and mental illness, often linked to travel stress and disrupted routines.
• ❖The US 'launch on warning' nuclear protocol means all ICBMs would launch if an incoming attack is detected, leading to global Armageddon.
• ❖The Boeing 737 Max crashes were caused by a software fix for engine repositioning that wasn't disclosed or trained to pilots, overriding manual controls.
• ❖Boeing aircraft allow pilots to override computers, while Airbus designs prioritize computer control, sometimes over pilot input.
• ❖AI will assist pilots but won't replace them due to the complexity of 3D environments and the inability to 'pull over' an aircraft in an emergency.
• ❖A proposed 'pilot in Delhi' model would centralize co-pilots remotely, making planes hijack-proof but introducing new vulnerabilities.
• ❖Post-9/11 cockpit security, including reinforced doors, is still incomplete; a simple, cheap secondary barrier is needed but not implemented fleet-wide.
• ❖Turbulence is generally not dangerous to an aircraft, which is 'overengineered' to withstand it; it's primarily an annoyance.
• ❖MH370 likely crashed due to an uncontrolled fire or cabin depressurization, leading to a 'zombie flight' until fuel ran out, not a hijacking.
• ❖The 'Ram Air Turbine' (RAT) is a last-resort propeller that deploys automatically to provide power if a commercial jet loses all engines or hydraulics.