How someone like Airbus could design and build such an ugly aircraft taking into account todays designs potential is beyond my thinking.

 

If its ugly but works then it ain't ugly (at least to the airlines).

Alan_A, on 24 Jun 2013 - 05:07 AM, said:

Or maybe I'm just blowing Saint-Exupery-colored smoke...

Maybe, maybe not... Let's not forget that Saint-Exupery lived during a time when flying was still a rather risky business. Any advancement in technology then would then be seen as all good. However if he had lived today and was aware of the misery of travelling as a passenger on an airliner, stuck in a cramped seat for half a day eating rubbish food and further developing your contempt for your fellow human beings, I don't think he would've refered to that as an adventure.

 

The only adventure left is in GA and when flying for fun I just can't see the appeal of having a cockpit that looks like a 12 year old's vision of heaven. Call me a dinosaur if you like but when I fly GA in real life I very much prefer map and compass to GPS because it gives me something to do that I personally consider fun and a bit challenging. Add to that a lack of autopilot and there just isn't any time left to be bored. Had he lived today I believe Saint-Ex would've agreed.

 

Edit: When using GA only as a means of getting from A to B and the destination is more important than the journey I can see why you'd want all the bells and whistles available in your plane.

 

 

...if he had lived today and was aware of the misery of travelling as a passenger on an airliner, stuck in a cramped seat for half a day eating rubbish food and further developing your contempt for your fellow human beings...

 

On reflection, I think you're right.  You reminded me of another passage he wrote - again, I can't remember the source but it's a late piece, might be in the volume of his wartime writings - where he talks about  riding in a horse- or mule-drawn cart in North Africa, getting stopped on the road by a crossing herd of sheep, and how much more worthwhile an experience this way than flying at high altitude over a barren landscape, because in the cart you were slowed down to the point where you were part of the earth and able to connect with everything in it.  So, yes, the idea of Saint-Ex enjoying an Airbus is probably mistaken.  More likely we would have found him in a Cub, or alongside you in something else low and slow, helping with the map and the compass...

 

Part of what I'm playing out here is my own little drama in FSX (and probably beyond).  I keep getting drawn to big, formal heavy iron, trying it, then falling out of it because at the end of the day I can't deal with all the rigid, relentless process.  So I gravitate back to A2A and older, crankier things that have more personality.  I guess at the end of the day I'm an outsider, and looking for outsider airplanes.  Thanks, A2A, for supplying such good ones!

Maybe I missed the sale!  I saw nothing on their homepage about 25% off.  Could someone please show me where this sale is advertised?

 

Thanks!

Airbus

I guess at the end of the day I'm an outsider, and looking for outsider airplanes.  Thanks, A2A, for supplying such good ones!

 

I can relate to that.  :smile:

This sale must of ended yesterday.DOH.

Yes, just a weekend sale, unfortunately.

Airbus, on 24 Jun 2013 - 2:40 PM, said:

 

Maybe I missed the sale! I saw nothing on their homepage about 25% off. Could someone please show me where this sale is advertised?

 

Thanks!

Airbus

Airbus,

 

The Captain pointed me to this post and said "Dad, this guy missed the sale?" Get what you want before the end of today, PM me here, and we'll credit you back 25%.

 

Scott.

Airbus,

 

The Captain pointed me to this post and said "Dad, this guy missed the sale?" Get what you want before the end of today, PM me here, and we'll credit you back 25%.

 

Scott.

Now this is great customer service!