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Gator Lager · Feb 7, 2006, 01:38 AM

only problems at the moment, drum roll please..... big surprise. China and Iran. they ain't to keen on the idea of having a over flight of there country(s). "MORAN's"
http://www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com/

I was going to go in and watch the take off. but it's at 0642 in the morning. PASS, I'll watch it on the tellie. 0500 wake up call and be on the cape by 0600,

that. I'm a second shifter. at that hour I'm in serious rem.

I Bent My Wookiee · Feb 7, 2006, 01:47 AM

If China and Iran wanted to fly a device over the US you really think Americans would be happy about it?

Gimmie a friggin break.

mduell · Feb 7, 2006, 02:08 AM

You can watch it tomorrow while it's in US airspace at FlightAware.

Gator Lager · Feb 7, 2006, 02:39 AM

Originally Posted by I Bent My Wookiee

If China and Iran wanted to fly a device over the US you really think Americans would be happy about it?

Gimmie a friggin break.

if they had the same quest. then I'd say no worries. but then again, if my countrymen had a problem with it, then I'd guess they could fly over your country.

Gator Lager · Feb 7, 2006, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by mduell

You can watch it tomorrow while it's in US airspace at FlightAware.

thanks for the link

moonmonkey · Feb 7, 2006, 07:12 AM

If it comes into Chinese airspace our defences will destroy it, much like a hard working farmer shoots a greedy pigeon.

Mister Elf · Feb 7, 2006, 02:15 PM

A.K.A. the Chinese are a bunch of tight-asses. How much room on that aircraft do they think there is for anything but fuel? They might fit a hand grenade in there, if that.

How is this "pigeon" greedy? It's an unarmed civilian aircraft on a peaceful mission. OMFG, those greedy capitalists! They want to save some fuel by flying over China! EEK! Man the MiGs and ZSUs!

Or will they pull a repeat of the Russian flight 007 ridiculousness?

I Bent My Wookiee · Feb 7, 2006, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mister Elf

A.K.A. the Chinese are a bunch of tight-asses. How much room on that aircraft do they think there is for anything but fuel? They might fit a hand grenade in there, if that.

You have the nerve to say that when America has the most ridiculous policies for "homeland security"?

Mister Elf · Feb 7, 2006, 02:30 PM

Yes, I "have the nerve". Just because I live the US, I automatically agree with all DHS policies? Don't be a moron.

I Bent My Wookiee · Feb 7, 2006, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Mister Elf

Yes, I "have the nerve". Just because I live the US, I automatically agree with all DHS policies? Don't be a moron.

Are you seriously suggesting that they US would allow a similar Chinese plane to fly over the US no matter how small an amount of fuel they have onboard?

Mister Elf · Feb 7, 2006, 02:37 PM

It's not a US plane. It's a private corporation's plane. And sure, why not? Let it in, but keep a couple of F-16s on its tail at all times.

By the way, that should be "large" amount of fuel. It's a nonstop, round the world flight. My point was that there's no room in there for any spy equipment.

olePigeon · Feb 7, 2006, 03:03 PM

Awe, they changed the name. Used to be "Virgin Galactic."

I Bent My Wookiee · Feb 7, 2006, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Mister Elf

It's not a US plane. It's a private corporation's plane. And sure, why not? Let it in, but keep a couple of F-16s on its tail at all times.

Two f-16's? Can they even fly that slow? Wonder how much that would cost.

typoon · Feb 7, 2006, 03:57 PM

Does anyone really care?

Mediaman_12 · Feb 7, 2006, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

Awe, they changed the name. Used to be "Virgin Galactic."

Virgin Galactic, is the space thing, they teamed up with that Composites guy who won the X prize. Using the Atlantic brand raises the profile of the airline, and gets all the news folks saying 'Virgin Atlantic' during the item.

Mister Elf · Feb 7, 2006, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by I Bent My Wookiee

Two f-16's? Can they even fly that slow? Wonder how much that would cost.

I'm sure they could if they tried hard...and it'd cost a lot less than shooting down the aircraft right off the bat would.

moonmonkey · Feb 7, 2006, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Mister Elf

I'm sure they could if they tried hard...and it'd cost a lot less than shooting down the aircraft right off the bat would.

No really, we will take a Mig29 up to 45,000 Ft and use cannons.
Ammunication is stockpiled since 1972, we need use up...
Offset fuel costs against red cross aid packages from europe.

easy.

turtle777 · Feb 7, 2006, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by typoon

Does anyone really care?

I'd say: Heck, yes, let's start a 25 page thread

chabig · Feb 7, 2006, 09:35 PM

What exactly is he trying to do? The website isn't clear. He already flew around the world last year. What's he doing this time?

Chris

Mister Elf · Feb 7, 2006, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

No really, we will take a Mig29 up to 45,000 Ft and use cannons.
Ammunication is stockpiled since 1972, we need use up...
Offset fuel costs against red cross aid packages from europe.

easy.

You mean the aid that will stop after you deliberately shoot down a private civilian aircraft? Smart.

mduell · Feb 8, 2006, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by chabig

What exactly is he trying to do? The website isn't clear. He already flew around the world last year. What's he doing this time?

Fly around the world plus a little. Florida - around the world - Florida - England.

Tesseract · Feb 8, 2006, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by Mediaman_12

that Composites guy who won the X prize

Burt Rutan?