Scott J. McFadden

> Perhaps more importantly, if you are faced with a controlled ditching is
to
> know where, and how, to open the emergency exits just prior to impact with
the
> water. Hopefully, the crew will know to do this. If not, I am going to be
> prepared to do just that.

As it happens, my wife works for a jet charter service, one of those you
give us your jet, we charter it and you can use it when you like companies.
Your comments intrigued me enough that I asked her to check with one of her
pilots on the procedure you mentioned. That is, indeed, still a current
recommendation, but essentially for smaller planes only. Incidentally, most
emergency doors open inward, so chances of one breaking off in a water crash
are greatly reduced. Apparently the idea is simply to ensure it does not
get jammed shut due to a sprung frame, just like you suggested.

As a side issue, I also asked about O2 kits for aircraft in hopes of getting
one still quite servicable but no longer airworthy. It looks like I may
have lucked out. Jayna's boss says he has a few around that are out of date
and, if he can find one in suitable shape, I can have it for the price of
retesting and filling it. Some days are diamonds.

Lee

PS: I'm still going to look to see where the O2 bottle is on commercial
flights over water, which most flights in and out of SE Florida are.