Still off topic but at this link http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4654062 are four recordings similar to Patrick's. One is where a controller interacts with an airliner that is about to land at Newark with its landing gear up. Another is of a controller helping a pilot who is losing control of her plane within 100 feet of the ground. Another controller helps a daughter of a pilot who is incapacitated land the Piper Malibu they are in. Finally a controller helps to avert a collision of two planes over Southern California. Fun times . . . well interesting to be sure. Jay On 2009-04-15 07:07, Patrick Wiggins wrote:

I think I'll chime in here and agree with Roger. While I've no problem with teachers or students joining SLAS and borrowing telescopes I'm not sure we should really push the program with the schools. Having served as the telescope custodian in the past I know how much work there is involved with the program as it is and fear Roger could easily become overwhelmed were he suddenly to be confronted with a bunch of new requests.

I could see us (SLAS) maybe holding classes which SLAS members could attend to be come familiar with simple scopes which could lead to those taking the class buying scopes of their own. Maybe SLAS could even work a deal whereby those taking the class could get some sort of discount on the purchase.

Perhaps this could be discussed at tomorrow's SLAS board meeting?

Cheers,

patrick

p.s. As long as I have your attention, here's an audio clip some of you may enjoy. Off topic to be sure but you might enjoy it anyway, especially if you've ever wondered what might happen if the pilot of the plane you're riding in suddenly became "unavailable": http:// tinyurl.com/deb23a