Axiom

High Integrity is Required of Bankers; Guile is Not

News Analysis:  High Integrity Is Required Of Bankers; Guile is not, nor is Financial Self-Interest. Unfortunately, in many countries Bankers appear to forget that the Monies they Place with Others belong to Bank Depositors, NOT Themselves. As they seek out “Higher Financial Returns” they often by-pass Legalities in their Countries’ Banking Laws; the Personal Economic Gain becomes an Opiate for them.

As with ALL Financial Transactions the Public needs to learn the Wisdom of the simple Axiom: “Trust, But Verify”.  A Banker is NOT Someone who is Innately Born with Honesty, High  Integrity, and Wisdom. But ALL Bankers are in Money Environments to which their Weaker Brethren may succumb to Financial Temptations (at an Expense to Bank Depositors); even in Austria. Reality. 

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/k5rprzq

Are Airlines Being Penny-Wise, but ‘Pounds’ Foolish?

News Analysis:  “Are Airlines Being Penny-Wise, But ‘Pounds’ Foolish by flying aircraft with only Two Engines” ask some Experienced Airframe Personnel? Ice Build-up leading to Engine ‘Flame-Out’ is a reality Airlines are Loathe to discuss. “Extended Range Twin Operations” ‘ETOPS’  has been the Current Rage in the Aircraft Business. Aircraft featuring Four Independent Engines, were reduced to Three Engines, then down to Two Engines. As that was occurring, Aviation Authorities allowed aircraft to fly Longer Periods Removed from Airports. Justification for both: “Advances in Aviation” being  due to Increased Engine Reliability and Power Output; Mean-Times-Between-Failures were Elongated Statistically. Additionally, Two Engines may be lighter than Three or Four; “Fuel savings would occur” was the argument.

Today, Icing Buildups causing Engine Flame-Outs, although resolvable over time, are a cause for Concern.  When flying over oceans, would not Four or even Three Independent Engines have less chance to result in Flame-Outs than only Two, Numerically Speaking? Common-Sense would certainly dictate a firm “Yes”. Would Airline Passengers spend a few more Dollars or Euros for Tickets if they wanted the Greatest Possible Flight Safety in Inclement Weather in particular. If one was flying over Northern Europe in the Winter, would not the odds favor the Four Engine Aircraft rather than its “Castrated” Sibling; if Icing Conditions were present?

Two Engine Aircraft Power, to match or exceed that of Three or Four Engine Aircraft, while being notable, CANNOT Physically Reproduce the Worthiness of an additional independent engine[s]; Those being placed in different locations on the aircraft. This is certainly true if flying during Icing Conditions at high altitude. This is a Engineering and Mathematics Axiom some would say.

Some of the Composite Airliners use computers to try and Prevent or Dampen ” Flutter” in the lightweight wings. Hopefully, the Handling Characteristics of the Aircraft are not too jeopardized if electrical failure to those Wing Computer Systems were to result.

The airlines have saved fuel by purchasing lighter Composite Aircraft with Twin Engines; but what additional odds have they given to effectively enhance the ‘Card Hands’ of “The Keres”? Time will tell.

Reference: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/breaking-news/transport/boeing-icing-problems-could-lead-forced-landings-us-faa-20131127