[rohn]

Hi!
Airbus v. Boeing.
Airbus handles quite differently from other aircraft, mostly due to software overiding real pilots. Can get into situations that others won't, witness the "twin engine hedge clipper" at the airshow a few years back.
In ATC we have to make allowances for Airbus not following "normal" turn procedures. More details if you seek private reply. (heads could explode otherwise!)

Work ATC into/out of NY. While I can't overtly play favorites, I have discretion on breaking "ties" to an approach fix:
1) US flag carriers get priority, they pay the taxes and my salary!
2) Non-US flag carriers flying US built aircraft (I was in aero/astro engineering before this career, and will always support the industry). Buy US
3) US allies before non allies, support US.

Not too many "ties" to break, but feel I'm doing my part.

Had to wait at Heathrow for some friends flying in from the states. Know that the "red-eye" from the US gets in before the curfew. Noticed that the passengers passed through customs in reverse order of separating from the British empire! US last, Singapore first ( India, Canada, Australia, and South Africa in the right sequence. thought the controller at London Center had a sense of humor!
Rohn

[Energy Alley]

The airshow incident was a result of complete incompetence on the part of the pilot. Pilots might like to fly stick 'n rudder, but an an A320 is not a Spitfire. And it is the responsibility of the flight crew to operate the aircraft according to the approved manuals and not use $50,000,000 airplanes in lieu of a tape measure if they want to whip it out.

The Boeing 777 is also fly-by-wire and also features flight envelope protection... what is the big deal?