Aviation trivia

[DukeAllen]

"Balls to the wall" is a term that pilots use that has origins from the earlier days of flight,
when the throttle, prop control, and mixture knob handles that made it easier for the pilot to grip
were pushed full-forward to the instrument panel. Visually, putting the "balls to the wall."


An actual FAA/ATC St. Louis, MO audio recording:

St. Louis Approach to United: "United 123 best forward speed to the outer marker, you're number one."
United 123 (male voice): "Roger, balls to the wall."
St. Louis Approach to American: "American 4321, you're number two behind a United 737, follow him, cleared visual approach, best forward speed."
American 4321 (female voice): "Well I can't do balls to the wall, but I can do wide open."


Brief radio silence- (Unidentified male voice): "Is American hiring?"

[Fasglas]

http://www.douglasdc3.com/dc3pics/dc3throt.jpg

[StaticCling]

:lol:

We were Balls to the Wall this morning on Downwind for 16R at VNY due to some departures and arrivals. Know the feeling very well...

I really had an interesting morning beating up the sky around Los Angeles today, but then again I have many of them with my job. I rarely post about my plight, but I certainly got some stories. I just never felt that anybody would care, I don't even tell my wife about some of the crap I go through and deal with. I don't need her stressing. :sadangel:

[DAB]

So stress us out. :slap:

Take offs are free. Landings will cost you.

[StaticCling]

http://www.douglasdc3.com/dc3pics/dc3throt.jpg

My buddy was a freight dogger flying DC3's out of Long Beach to Catalina for a few years. Neat old planes. :seasix:

[StaticCling]

So stress us out. :slap:

Take offs are free. Landings will cost you.

I don't think I should post them on a public forum. I don't really feel like posting all the details and outlining what the dealy-o was.

Long and Short, rough running engine (172N model), an extra landing for magneto checks and an electrical smell that kept persisting throughout the flight for 3 hours this morning. The airplane I fly in daily is pushing too much oil, and fouling plugs more than it should.

I never like to talk bad about the planes I fly in, I feel they have a life of their own. Kind of a Karma thing. :)

[Admiral Blue]

Sounds like you have an enjoyable job. :seasix: Seems like it would be pretty cool to get up in the air every day, especially at an altitude where you can see the ground well. :cert:

I'd love to hear the stories, though I know it is a public forum...and I can appreciate this...

I never like to talk bad about the planes I fly in, I feel they have a life of their own. Kind of a Karma thing. :)

[wwomanC6]

:iagree:

What do you fly daily?

[Kerrmudgeon]

I learned something today.....thanks! :thumbs:

[StaticCling]

:iagree:

What do you fly daily?

Airborne Traffic and News Reporter for a News Radio Station.

[Bill]

Wow. I never realized this was a song about airplanes....who knew?

Accept - Balls to the Wall - YouTube