My friend, Gavin, an air steward (a job that he had done for decades), told me about an incident at work. He said that (shockingly to me) passengers occasionally die on a flight (particularly long-haul), just as a matter of course. This can be because people sometimes travel to visit loved ones BECAUSE they are dying, people sometimes find travelling itself stressful (so it can exacerbate an existing medical condition), or simply that, if you took a large number of people and shut them up in a space together for some considerable time, some of them would pop off through sheer statistical probability. Cabin crew are, apparently, fully trained to deal within this eventually in a calm, almost routine manner.

This particular flight, Gavin was working with another gay man: Peter, who was actually a VERY funny personality. Camp, extravagant and loud, Peter really lit up the place. But naturally, when the very elderly male passenger in seat 38b died peacefully in his sleep halfway across the Atlantic, Peter acted (like the entire crew), with decorum and dignity. As per the protocol, all the lights in the cabin were dimmed. A hush fell over the passengers (Gavin told me that, although no announcement is ever made, the other passengers nearly always instinctively know what's happened, with the news spreading via the media of hushed whispers and nudges). Then, as per standing instructions, two of the crew carefully lifted the deceased out of his seat and gently carried him to the crew station where he was laid down on a bed for the remainder of the flight.

After the late gentleman disappeared behind the discreetly drawn curtain, you could have heard a pin drop. There was a demure pause during which, slowly, the lights went back up.

Suddenly Peter's cheery face appeared, poking through the gap in the drapes. He looked around, blinking brightly with curiosity at the seated passengers, and said, in a voice that echoed around the whole cabin:

"SO! Anyone else have the fish?"

He narrowly avoided getting sacked.

A fun fact about Yuri Gagarin's flight:
Before the flight, it was not yet known how the human psyche would behave in space, so a special protection was provided to prevent the first cosmonaut from trying to control the ship's flight or damage the equipment in a fit of madness. To enable manual control, he had to open a sealed envelope, inside which lay a sheet with a mathematical problem, the solution of which gave the code for unlocking the control panel.

We had an ADAM/Colecovision unit before this, but I don't really count it, as it was more of a console for us than a computer.

In 1986 dad brought home a Tandy 1000 SX. It had an Intel 8088 processor, 64k of memory, and no hard drive. With dual 5.25" floppy drives, our write-protected DOS 3.1 disk stayed in drive A almost all the time. Games and other software were run from drive B, or from the external cassette drive. For really big games, like Conquest of Camelot and Space Quest 3, we were frequently prompted to swap disks in B: before the game could continue.

Space Quest, King's Quest, Lords of Conquest, Conquest of Camelot, Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer, several editions of Carmen Sandiego, and at least a dozen other games dominated our gaming use. We wrote papers with WordStar, and my parents maintained their budget with Lotus 1-2-3.

A year or two later, Dad installed a 10 MB hard drive, and we started booting DOS off that instead. Heady days.

Astronautics. Admiring the coolness of space flight and orbital mechanics.

Because who don't think that space flight and orbital mechanics are cool?

AeroNex Solutions: Your Trusted Provider of Local Aerospace Engineering Services and Southern California Aircraft Consulting

The aerospace industry is one of the most complex and high-stakes fields, where precision, innovation, and reliability are paramount. Whether you're developing cutting-edge aircraft or enhancing existing systems, you need the support of trusted experts who understand your challenges and can offer tailored solutions. AeroNex Solutions, located at 2660 Sycamore Ave, Montrose, CA 91020, is proud to offer Local Aerospace Engineering Services and Southern California Aircraft Consulting to businesses in the region and beyond.

Local Aerospace Engineering Services: Expertise at Your Doorstep
As a local aerospace engineering firm in Montrose, CA, AeroNex Solutions understands the unique needs of businesses operating in Southern California. Whether you're involved in commercial aviation, defense, or space exploration, we provide highly specialized engineering services that meet the rigorous demands of the aerospace sector.

Our Local Aerospace Engineering Services are designed to support every phase of your aerospace project, from concept to completion. Here’s how we can assist:

Aircraft Design and Development: We specialize in designing and developing advanced aircraft systems and components. Whether you're working on a new prototype or modifying an existing system, we provide expert guidance to ensure your designs meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.

System Integration: In the aerospace industry, multiple systems must work together flawlessly to ensure safety and efficiency. We offer system integration services that ensure your aircraft’s electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical components function seamlessly.

Aerospace Performance Optimization: From improving fuel efficiency to enhancing flight control systems, our engineering team helps you optimize the performance of your aerospace systems. We use state-of-the-art techniques to boost operational efficiency while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Structural and Mechanical Engineering: We provide in-depth expertise in designing robust structures and mechanical components that meet the unique challenges of aerospace operations. Our engineers focus on durability, weight reduction, and material selection to ensure your systems perform under the most demanding conditions.

At AeroNex Solutions, our Local Aerospace Engineering Services are tailored to meet the specific needs of your projects. We bring a wealth of knowledge, hands-on experience, and cutting-edge technology to ensure your systems operate at their best.

Southern California Aircraft Consulting: Tailored Solutions for the Aerospace Industry
Southern California has long been a hub for the aerospace industry, home to some of the most influential companies and cutting-edge technologies. At AeroNex Solutions, we offer Southern California Aircraft Consulting services that cater to the region's diverse aerospace needs, providing the strategic guidance and technical expertise you need to navigate challenges and optimize your operations.

Our Southern California Aircraft Consulting services include:

Regulatory Compliance and Certification Support: Navigating the regulatory landscape is one of the biggest challenges in the aerospace industry. We offer expert consulting to ensure your aircraft systems and operations comply with FAA regulations and other relevant industry standards. We guide you through the certification process, ensuring that all required documentation and inspections are handled efficiently.

Aircraft Performance Analysis: Whether you're looking to enhance the performance of existing aircraft or assess a new design, we provide comprehensive performance analysis. From fuel efficiency to aerodynamics, we use advanced tools and methodologies to ensure your aircraft meets the highest standards of efficiency and safety.

System Troubleshooting and Optimization: If your aircraft systems are underperforming, we offer in-depth troubleshooting and system optimization services. Our consultants work closely with your team to identify issues, implement fixes, and optimize systems for better performance and reliability.

Design and Engineering Advisory: Our team of experienced consultants provides expert advice on aircraft design and engineering. From structural improvements to avionics systems, we help you make informed decisions to enhance your aircraft’s functionality and performance.

With AeroNex Solutions, you can tap into the deep industry expertise that is vital for the successful operation of your aircraft systems. Whether you’re navigating technical challenges, ensuring compliance, or optimizing performance, we offer Southern California Aircraft Consulting that gives you the confidence to move forward.