[Racer X 69]

Nighty night. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

A little early for bed, isn't it?

[Racer X 69]

Needs better brakes than those rim brakes...

George Eastman was an avid cyclist. He took several cycling vacations where he would cover hundreds of miles of roads. He always brought bicycles without brakes as he thought that brakes were too dangerous.

Reminds me of a discussion famed racing/fast luxury car manufacturer Ettore Bugatti had with one of his customers. Bugatti's were one of the last cars to go from simple cable actuated brakes to hydraulic systems and some Bugatti's only had rear brakes, rather than 4 wheel brakes as many other cars had, even back in the '20's and '30's.

According to legend when one of his customers complained about the poor brakes Mr. Buggatti was reported to have replied, "I make my cars to go, not to stop."

Goability is important.
Whoaability is critical.

Who needs brakes?


All they do is slow you down.

[lesmore49]

Goability is important.
Whoaability is critical.

Now that sounds like the voice of experience.

About 50 years ago, when I was a young guy, I learned that lesson with my '67 Camaro RS coupe...powerful 327 cube V8, 4 speed Muncie transmission, 3100 pounds and ...tiny 9.5 inch drum brakes at each corner.

In contrast my next car was a '69 VW Beetle with a not so powerful 96 cube (1500cc) 4 banger engine, 4 speed, and half the weight of the Camaro @ 1600 pounds and 9.1 inch size drum brakes at each corner. The brake drum size on the V-Dub were just a bit smaller than the brakes on the Camaro, but the VW had a lot less speed/acceleration potential and a lot less weight to stop.

The VW brakes didn't fade much under hard use...the Camaro's did. It was at this point that I understood that Whoability is critical, where Goability is merely important.

As famous American humorist Will Rogers said...good judgment is the result of bad experience.

[Racer X 69]

So.

Tomorrow is my last day at The Big Shed.

[Parallax]

So.

Tomorrow is my last day at The Big Shed.

That doesn't sound good. Please elaborate.

[lesmore49]

So.

Tomorrow is my last day at The Big Shed.

I probably missed something, but what is the 'Big Shed ?'

[MikeyBugs95]

I probably missed something, but what is the 'Big Shed ?'

I've had the same question but not enough curiosity to ask it.

If I had to guess it would be a simple roofed structure used as storage space that is, well, large...

[lesmore49]

I've had the same question but not enough curiosity to ask it.

If I had to guess it would be a simple roofed structure used as storage space that is, well, large...

I'm not sure, but think there's more to it...it has an air of mystery.

[Parallax]

I probably missed something, but what is the 'Big Shed ?'

Boeing assembly plant.
The world's largest building.

[MikeyBugs95]

Boeing assembly plant.
The world's largest building.

Ah that makes sense now.

[lesmore49]

Boeing assembly plant.
The world's largest building.

Thx for the info. Didn't know that. When I think of it, I think I had heard that reference somewhere.

[robtcorl]

I don't think I've posted here today.
Miss me?

[rod_grant]

I don't think I've posted here today.
Miss me?

Not really.

[Racer X 69]

I probably missed something, but what is the 'Big Shed ?'

I've had the same question but not enough curiosity to ask it.

If I had to guess it would be a simple roofed structure used as storage space that is, well, large...

I'm not sure, but think there's more to it...it has an air of mystery.

Boeing assembly plant.
The world's largest building.

Ah that makes sense now.

Thx for the info. Didn't know that. When I think of it, I think I had heard that reference somewhere.

The Big Shed is the largest building in the world (by volume). If you look really close you can see my car, right over there>>>



Located at Paine Field (Snohomish County Airport) in Everett, Washington, the Boeing Company manufactures the 747, 767, 777, 777X (or 777-9) which is a 777 with composite wings, and 787 (and some derivatives such as the KC46 tanker) commercial airliners and cargo planes.

I work on the 777 (legacy, metal wings) program (mostly).

That doesn't sound good. Please elaborate.

Effective Wednesday all operations in Washington state will be suspended for 14 calendar days (10 M days - and M day is a manufacturing day).

Anyone who can telecommute will continue to do so.

My job is not possible to telecommute, as I cannot drill and fill over the internet.

According to the collective bargaining agreement with the IAM local 751 Boeing will have to pay bargaining unit members for those 10 days. The plan is to resume production on 8 April. Should there be a need to continue the shutdown, then we will go on unpaid status.

This will not be good.

Of course there has been a lot of not so good stuff going on lately, for aviation in general. And with the Corona Virus thing reaching global proportions, the impact has rocked the entire industry.

People aren't traveling.

So airlines aren't flying.

Since airlines aren't flying they cannot afford to buy new airplanes. It costs a lot of money to own and operate commercial airliners.

If they cannot buy new airplanes, then Boeing and Airbus (and the other manufacturers, Embraer, Bombardier, etc.) cannot continue to produce them.

If the manufacturers slow or halt production, the vendors and suppliers must also slow or halt production.

With lower or suspended demand for materials, production of things like aluminum and titanium, carbon fiber and thousands of other things will also slow or be halted.

This is bigger than most people can get their heads around. Think about it. This silly virus is affecting everyone, in every corner of the globe.

Anyway, Racer will be taking a two week sabbatical from The Big Shed. And he is only 1 year, 5 months, 5 days from retirement.

*sigh*

[Parallax]

I don't think I've posted here today.
Miss me?

Who are you?