RE: Interesting article...

["Wilt, Charles" <CWilt@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Steve,

There's certainly some good discussions on slashdot.  But I don't think I'd 
classify it as a _good_ source of info.  Useful? Yes, but a _good_ source IMHO 
would be one with more wheat than chafe...I don't know that slashdot usually 
passes that test.

I'm sure the FAA regulates the software directly related to flight safety, such 
as control towers radars ect.  I don't know that the FAA regulates all software 
in use by an airline.  I doubt that is even possible, and even it was possible 
I'm sure it's not cost effective.  Do you have a source for this?

Even if the FAA certified the Crew Scheduling app we are discussing, that would 
have been 20years ago and at the limit the limit most certainly would have 
passed muster.  So, in order for the FAA to be responsible, they would have to 
recertify every application every few years.  Again, may be impossible and 
certainly wouldn't be cost effective.

I don't mind the FAA spending my tax dollars to ensure that the plane I'm on 
doesn't fall out of the sky ect.  But I don't think that the FAA's mandate 
needs to cover all possible inconveniences.

Charles Wilt
iSeries Systems Administrator / Developer
Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America
ph: 513-573-4343
fax: 513-398-1121
 


> -----Original Message-----
> From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Steve Richter
> Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 2:03 PM
> To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
> Subject: Re: Interesting article...
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Charles,
> 
> slashdot is good source of info, no? 
> 
> I cant prove you wrong but what about this ...  Sabre was selling a
> competing version of the software.  at least a 6 figure, possibly 7
> figure price tag for the replacement system.  Wouldnt the people
> marketing the replacement software know the weaknesses of what Comair
> was using?  The salesperson would not use that info when marketing to
> Comair?
> 
> I am a cynic when it comes to business.  It is not just the Comair
> execs who would look bad if what I think is the true story of the
> Comair meltdown came to light.  It is the FAA that regulates and
> approves all software used in the operation of an airline.  Since the
> FAA imposes all these requirements on airline software to supposedly
> make sure the airline is safe, shouldnt FAA officials be held
> accountable when the system fails?
> 
> -Steve
>