I found this article about Mike Carriker quite interesting. He reminds me of my old friend, calcapt.

I don't know how much of the post-flight news conference was broadcast, but one of Capt. Mike Carriker's opening comments (if I remember correctly) was something along the lines of "Hey, how about that landing?"

Autolanding..hehe...Boeing wanted their airplane back in one piece

Interesting tidbit from the article:

They'll also have two parachutes.

In the worst-case scenario, they can flip a switch behind them that will blow out eight windows to depressurize the airplane. Another switch will detonate a charge to blow off an exit door behind the right wing. Then they can jump.

Every test airplane I've ever seen had to have an escape system for the crew. Some were very elaborate, like the Citation. It had a det cord lined area in the belly behind the co-pilot seat that would blow a hole in the skin big enough to bail out through and a bungee cord actuated spoiler that extended from the hole. Others were as simple as a knotted rope along the ceiling to get to the main door on the Cessna 330 (which became the 340) Unfortunately that didn't work too well for a test pilot that didn't make it out of the first 330.

I can't believe he was the guy that ditched the Stratocruiser. That was a major f-up. They basically ran it out of fuel, just after they had finished a 10 year restoration on it.

Neat.

The only other thing they'd need would be a button to press on the way out that would "short-sell" as much Boeing stock as possible . . .

Awesome! But can anyone verify if he has the Mustachio that every real pilot must grow???

Good find Tom.. I haven't seen that in awhile.