OT somewhat. China, our aircraft, delays.

Conspiracy theories abound! I love it. I thought something like that might be. It would explain why the pilot is missing though he did eject. Chinese pilots in general may be second string, but I doubt they are generally so incompetant as to go crashing into other airplanes whilest escorting them. Maybe they will produce him, maybe not. I've heard Chinese pilots called 2nd rate pilots in 3rd rate aircraft, but they do have some Mig 29's I wouldn't want to tangle with. The Chinese claim that our plane veered into thier's is ridiculous. Just like the rules of the road for seagoing vessels, the smaller, more maneuverable vessel maneuvers and the larger, less maneuverable one maintains it's heading and speed. Example, I was sailing in the Bahamas about 15 years ago. We were near the Acoustic testing range called Autec. We were under sail. The captain radioed us to maneuver and we said "NO". He maneuvered his destroyer around us. Not the reverse. We stayed at the AUTEC range for a few days. It was fun dinking with the Navy in our 44' sailboat. The operable variables are: Method of Propulsion - wind power stays on course, motors maneuver. Size: The smaller vessel is generally the more maneuverable and is obliged to do so. There are other rules as well, but these two suit this situation very nicely. Fast, jet powered fighter aircraft can and should avoid colliding with butt slow prop-driven piglike aircraft. Really, that is the first duty of any fighter pilot after taking off and before landing. The rest is trying to SHOOT down the bad guys. Ramming them is not nearly so effective, as our Chinese friends have learned. In <l03102801b6f6f44db419(a)[192.168.1.4]>4]>, on 04/09/01 at 04:06 PM, Mike Ford <mikeford(a)socal.rr.com> said: -- ----------------------------------------------------------- Jeffrey S. Worley President Complete Computer Services, Inc. 30 Greenwood Rd. Asheville, NC 28803 828-277-5959 Visit our website at HTTP://www.Real-Techs.com THETechnoid(a)home.com -----------------------------------------------------------