In the news

OpenAI wanted Scarlett Johannsen to voice their newest AI, she says no, they copied her voice anyway.

Nothing says ‘trustworthy’ like the posterboy for AI enacting people’s fears about their technology.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/20/24161253/scarlett-johansson-openai-altman-legal-action

https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/court-finds-government-anti-protest-legislation-unlawful-after-liberty-legal-challenge/#:~:text=Court%20quashes%20law%20which%20lowered,and%20as%20such%20is%20unlawful.

Suella couldn't organise a booze-up in a brewery shocker...

That is amazing news. Made all the sweeter by the fact that one of the justices is a friend of mine.

Singapore Airlines SQ321 departed yesterday from Heathrow diverted to Bangkok due to severe turbulence. Reports say 1 dead, 30 or so injured. Fasten your seatbelts, kids.

One dead?? How??? 😬

According to airline tracking websites, the flight dropped about 1,800 metres (6,000 feet) when it flew into the rough air.

in sever turbulence you can get hurled round the cabin if not strapped in

This is why I always keep my seatbelt on when I'm flying. Fuck, that's quite a drop.

In not-news, 5 people were killed on UK roads yesterday

A scary quote from a passenger:
“ Suddenly the aircraft starts tilting up and there was shaking so I started bracing for what was happening, and very suddenly there was a very dramatic drop so everyone seated and not wearing seatbelt was launched immediately into the ceiling.

Some people hit their heads on the baggage cabins overhead and dented it, they hit the places where lights and masks are and broke straight through it.”

Singapore Airlines did not say at what point the injuries and death took place, but a passenger who spoke to Reuters said turbulence led to those not wearing seatbelts hitting overhead cabins.

My ex’s dad was on a flight in the 90s and witnessed this happen to someone, killing them instantly. Ever since then he’s terrified of flying and gets as drunk as he can before boarding any plane.

FWIW, this is the seat plan for the plane in question:
https://www.aerolopa.com/sq-773

That's a controlled descent in response to the turbulence. A rate of ~2000ft/min as reported is perfectly normal.

it's when it happens in a matter of seconds you need to worry

I had a terrifying flight back to London from Switzerland in the early 90s, the weather was awful, lightning and crazy turbulence on most of the flight, we had that freefall experience several times and not just for a moment but for three or four seconds. I was certain we weren't gonna make it home.

Yep, also happens after the change in heading to divert to BKK. There is a strange blip before then, at about 07:50.

The great news is that global warming means more and more turbulence.

I feel like a broken record but anyone want to guess the make and model of the airplane? Not necessarily the aircraft’s fault this time, mind, but there’s a definite trend going.

Boeing 777-300ER
9V-SWM

Winner winner!

I'm (probably) flying to Singapore and back in about 7 weeks. Boeing one way, Airbus the other. I've no concerns about the airworthiness of either.

I am worried about it being noisy, uncomfortable, too hot, too cold, too dark, too light, the airline lying about boarding being in progress when it hasn't started, the food being disappointing etc. Flying sucks, shame the rail route isn't available at the moment.

I've no concerns about the airworthiness of either

It would be unadvisable to take the flight if you did.

777 are still very safe airframes within a very safe industry. Given the choice, I’d go with airbus, although the 787 is one of my favourite planes.

There's a real, actual leopard/panther roaming Cumbria https://www.countryfile.com/news/new-dna-evidence-confirms-presence-of-big-cat-in-cumbrian-countryside