What goes up...

Must come down. Okay I am sorry but that is all that I could come up with. I feel bad for writing that after the event in Buffalo last night. I found out about the crash via twitter at around 11:20, I turned on CNN and saw their coverage, they mentioned that it was snowing at the time so I pulled up a website that I like liveatc.net and someone had already posted a recording from buffalo tower around the time that the flight went down. On the recording you hear the pilots (specifically the first officer since it's a commercial flight) contact the tower like normal. The controller then gives them new vectors, and they don't respond. After several call outs you can tell by the tone in the controllers voice he is fearing the worst and opening up that binder with emergency procedures. He then asks other flights in the area if they could see the aircraft, none could due to their position in the air and reduced visibility with the snow. According to the controller he went down around the marker (it's an aviation term referring to something that pilots use to navigate). He then asked other flights about the icing conditions in the area, all flights reported icing mostly on the descent.

Although the exact cause will not be determined for some time, my guess would be icing with a possible engine problem. The biggest mystery at this time is that the flight crew never called out any mayday or notified the tower of any icing or problems at all, they just crashed. Thee FAA and NTSB were able to recover the flight recorders this morning and were going to start working on them this afternoon.

Being an aviation geek I have never been afraid of flying. Everyone always hears that it's safer then driving to the grocery store, it is though. There are thousands of flights every single day just in the United States, not many crash at all and even less have fatal endings. Commercial pilots are required to go to "school" every nine to twelve months to go over emergency procedures and practice them in the simulator. These tests go over everything from engine failure on takeoff to no thrust landings. If they don't pass they don't fly. Pilots are also required to go through a through physical every six months (or something close to that). Overall the next time you step on that plane you can feel at ease these are not just some people that were taught how to push buttons and manage an autopilot system, they are trained professionals that take great pride in transporting you and your family while give you a taste of what they love, flying.

There are several things that I love about flying. I love being up there, the view of everything form above is amazing! I have never been on a commercial flight but have been on several private planes. My uncle owns a Beechcraft Bonanza V-tail, I love it! I also enjoy the challenge of flying, landing is simply a controlled collision with the earth. I hope to one day get my pilots license and own my own plane, we will see on that. Here are some good aviation jokes, you may need some knowledge aviation knowledge to get some of these. http://www.retzer-land.co.at/flyamphibs/pg-fun.htm

The Iowa legislature is considering a new law that would completely ban the use of cell phones while driving. I believe that a complete plan is stupid, a better option would be a hands free only law. I am one of those people that finds it easier to text while driving then eat, and it is easier. My parents of course greatly frown upon this, ooppss. If we ban cell phone use while driving we better ban eating, listening to the radio, using a GPS, looking at scenery and talking to others in the vehicle as well. I find those things no less distracting then talking on a cell phone.

Guess what!?!?!?!? MY CYCLONES WON!!! Okay so the men finally won, I don't care if it was against Colorado and we lost to them (somehow) already. I was in the pep band for that game and I am starting a petition that I need to play more so we will win, I have gotten a few more games. The women's basketball team has won two big games, and barely lost to #2 Oklahoma earlier this week. On Sunday they host #14 Texas at Hilton for the Pink out game. The team will be wearing special Pink uniforms and shoes, I imagine they will later be auctioned off in the auction section of cyclones.com

I had two tests today, one next week in meteorology. I am going home this weekend as well to see some people. I hope everyone has a fantastic valentines day weekend! I will try and update next week. GO STATE!!! GOD BLESS!!!