Re: de plane, de plane

[orin@wolfenet.com]

> Actually, this is how it works:

> The plane flies between two points that mark a known distance.  The time
> it takes the plane to travel that distance is used to calibrate the plane's
> speed.  The plane then paces the vehicle and determines its speed based
> on the calibrated speed of the plane.

No way can that be accurate.  They would have to fly between the two points
_while_ pacing the car (which of course, is the same as timing the car
between the two points).  Due to winds aloft, the relationship between
airspeed and groundspeed is going to change continually and the plane
only has an airspeed indicator.

It's a little late, but you could have some fun making them prove the
distance between the points, the accuracy of their stopwatch by demanding
discovery on these issues... they probably don't want to do the paperwork.

Orin.