Intelligence and fear

[ChrisH]

Here's a real example,

One day a friend of mine, who is a stress analyst, was complaining to a Navy representative about a design requirement. This requirement was that the airplane had to be able to withstand a very rare but severe condition in flight. It was also the driving requirement for much of the aircraft design.

Her argument was. "While this condition has been seen in other aircraft, it has never been seen in ours. So why is it driving our design?"

The Navy guy responded. "When we were designing other aircraft this condition was unknown. As a result, on the rare occasions it occurs, it destroys the aircraft and usually kills the crew as well. Do you want to have to be the one who makes that visit to the new widow? Neither do I, not if it can be prevented"

Schools and school boards are faced with a similar choice. If "something" should happen while you are travelling they and your parents will spend the rest of their lives saying "If only...". They don't want that and I don't blame them.

I don't agree with their choice at this point, but I understand it. I certainly can't condemn it. Like the argument about stacks, it is a question they have to decide for themselves what is appropriate and live with the consequences.

BTW about a year after the above conversation, we had the first occurance of that condition on one of our airframes. The aircraft had some minor damage, but was still flyable and the crew came home. It made all the extra work worthwhile.

Some things can only be revealed by time.