Re: [Phys-L] multitasking

[Leon de Oliveira <leondeolive@gmail.com>]

The other aspect of this is the division of processing during normal
flight. If a pilot is in mid flight, is the person on the other end of the
radio trying to hold an extended conversation about something or trying to
get the pilot to remember a series of items to be picked up before landing?
Probably not. Their conversation more likely revolves around the aircraft
itself or the process of flying. The conversation on the phone with a
driver of an automobile usually does not revolve around the car or its
operation.

This, in addition to the close proximity of the nearest obstructions,
creates a much more dangerous prospect of driving and talking on the phone
than does flying and talking on the radio.

As far as texting goes, it is difficult for a texting driver to see and be
able to react to everything going on around them if they are not keeping
their eyes on the road and trying to see what they are texting. It is very
hard to react to something happens out of the field of view.

On Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 11:43 AM, brian whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> Light aircraft may usually be trimmed to maintain height and heading to a
> fair degree for a few seconds. If the aircraft turns 30 degrees or gains
> 300 ft ? - no harm done (in general)    The contrast between that and
> automobile driving in a confined lane where a 5 degree error or 20 feet
> disturbance may be lethal (and sometimes is) is evident.      Commercial
>  aircraft invariably have multi-axis autopilots which sadly permits
> extended naps with very moderate flightpath  excursions.
>
> Brian W