NavList:

Hi Frank and fellow NavListees

Interesting comment and well said - as a veterinary surgeon we refer to the diagnosis made with Google by a client as Dr Google - i.e. diagnosis is merely the act of entering a few client perceived symptoms and out pops the answer!

As you say Frank - "it sucks the breath out of the conversation" ...... it sure does.

I am new to this forum - and I assume the list contains a last list of old (as in longtime subscribees - not old as in age - though I agree the two may be the same) - my point is that some of you know who you are talking to - and I certainly DO NOT.

I can skim the archives - and do a google search on a name - which I did for Gary LaPook (when I posted on Amelia Earhart) to find out his lineage WRT navigation and celestial. My point is - unless I a newbie does that we have no idea to whom we talk and their navigational experience, celestial, marine, aeronautical, military, civil, teaching etc.

Is there an easy way to sign each post with some sort of signature that simply gives viewers a keyhole shot of your experience - thus enabling us newbies to know to whom we speek - and perhaps help us ask of a subscribee a particular question.

And to give a new perspective on an old subject - or to rehash and old "done to death" subject - I did make a comment a few weeks ago on Amelia Earharts disappaerance and commented that I now wanted to read a very good factual account of Amelia's round the world trip and the facts behind her last flight. In the book Jul 2 - 1937 has passed and US Navy have mounted (to date ) one of the most extensive search ever mounted to find AE...... I am at 12 Jul 1937 and the aircraft carrier Lexington is about to appear on the scene (a familiar name in the Battle of the Coral Sea) - a turning point in WWII - The Pacific War) - I digress.

This is at 63% of the book read suggesting a substantial part of the book is spent analysing information - so I will reserve a fresh perspective until I read the book in full. 

However, in a brief comment this far - the book lays out factual information of Amelia's life and preparation to the round the world attempt. It also gives a detailed factual account of every flight and the navigation up to the last flight.

I tried to find 'any book' on Fred Noonan, the navigator, to see if a perspective (as a navigator) could be gotten to overlay upon the gathering perspective on AE disappearance - alas nothing seems to exist - I will search the internet for something that may exist hoping that the conspiracists are missing in action!  - ......... why do I need this....

because I think there was certain obvious facts that lead to AE disappearance 

1. Navigation

2. Fuel consumption flying into headwinds greater than forecast

3. The HF radio use - lack of knowledge of its use - and the inability of both not to use or be able to use morse code

I will write an 'opinion' once I have collected ALL the known facts - FACTS - not opinion or internet babble.

I also wish to then view the video "Finding Earhart" at which Gary LaPook is a guest - i.e. I will only view this after I have a head full of FACTS to then be as critical or receptive of information from this video as I think the video will undoubtedly inject opinion and fact and conspiracy into the overall picture...... let us see.

Enjoying everyone's posts - I awake from slumber every morning around 0630 AEST (GMT + 11h) - and find a inbox often full of forum posts - whilst I allow the blood to redistribute to my brain after sitting up - I quickly skim the posts for refreshing chatter.

Howard G