Greetings, writer fam, and welcome to Newsication issue #012. In this issue, we are surveying your thoughts on AI.
There are nine multiple-choice questions and three questions where you can elaborate on your views if you desire. We are interested in your views and will release the data in our next issue.
We are also on Medium, Substack and Zirkels. Whatever platform you read this on, if you have a question, a suggestion, or some feedback. Please do reach out. Or you can visit our website, WritersWithoutWalls, and chat with our friendly QuillBot.
Your Communities
Here are your two communities for Writers Without Walls. We’ve crafted these spaces with you in mind, each serving a unique purpose.
Writers Without Walls on Entre — Our Entre community is a hybrid setup that bridges the familiar Web2 and the emerging Web3. It’s a haven for all writers, regardless of their interest or experience in Web3. You can learn about the new digital frontier at your own pace, guided by experienced Web3 writers. We don’t like the sometimes confusing jargon or the ‘bro’ mentality, focusing instead on providing clear, accessible information. Whether you’re curious about protecting your identity, securing your finances, or safeguarding your tech, Entre is your safe place to explore.
Writer Without Walls on Common Ground — On the other hand, our CommonGround community is more Web3-focused. While it won’t be exclusively about Web3, it will have a strong Web3 orientation, which may be overwhelming for some. But it is a space where you can dive deeper, explore further, and immerse yourself in the Web3 realm.
From Andrew's Desk.
From David's Desk
From JD's Desk
This issue’s guest writer is — BK Power.
Short Bio — I am a free-spirited, outgoing female with a passion for anything aviation and space related. As a pilot, it was a real honor to be a former Crew Chief on a B-17 Flying Fortress for the Lone Star Flight Museum. I enjoy photography and I especially enjoy taking photos of all types of aircraft in action.
FLIGHT LESSON
CONFUSION IN THE DARKNESS
A flickering light and a rough engine
On a hot Texas summer evening, my sole intention was to practice night landings in my Piper Archer. I am a 45-year-old mom and a low-time pilot, having just earned my private pilot certificate several months ago.
As I taxied to Runway 14 at Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), I had a standoff with opposing traffic on a narrow section of taxiway. I pulled onto a small paved area to let him pass. This necessitated a push-back and restart. Then, immediately after my announcement and crossing Runway 14 at Delta, a helicopter made a call that he was landing on the departure end of Runway 14. In the dark it appeared he was heading right for me on the taxiway. I stopped to make sure his call matched his intentions. At the hold-short line, when I attempted to set the heading indicator, I discovered the magnetic compass light was out. I turned on the red cabin light, set the heading indicator, and proceeded with the runup. I did my final checks, pushed the mixture rich, and was ready to roll. Or so I thought.
I no longer had panel lights. Still at the hold-short line, I switched the transponder to standby, turned the fuel pump off, leaned the mixture, and began to troubleshoot. Apparently I had inadvertently dimmed the panel lights. I throttled up, rolled down the runway, and rotated. From that point on, things were far from usual. I wasn’t able to climb above 300 feet before the stall light flickered and then became a steady glow. At night that red light is bold, and at a low altitude it is a terrifying sight. My heart rate rapidly increased. I wanted desperately to pull back on the yoke. But I could hear my instructor’s voice in my head, saying Better get the nose down. I immediately pushed the nose down, but the light kept flickering. I scanned my gauges. Nothing was obvious. What was happening?
I flew farther out on the upwind leg attempting to build airspeed. After struggling to 400 feet and with the engine apparently running fine at that point, I turned crosswind, thinking I’m sure there have been worse things than remaining in the traffic pattern at 400 feet. As I turned downwind, the airspeed began to increase, so I initiated a shallow climb. By midfield I was at 800 feet. I finally reached pattern altitude abeam the numbers, and it was time to descend. I pulled the throttle to idle, and the engine sputtered. Ugh!
Now what? I put on the carb heat. That didn’t solve the problem, so I immediately turned base for a short final approach. Now I was high, so I slipped the airplane while turning final. I could sense the feeling of speed as I got closer to the ground, but perception and perspective can play tricks on an inexperienced night flier. I glanced at the airspeed, and I was indeed going too fast. In the fog of anxiety, I had neglected to add flaps.
Already a quarter of the way down the runway and uncertain about the landing roll needed at that speed, the float I might encounter if I added flaps, and the distance to hold it off, I pushed the throttle full forward. With the engine still working, I decided a go-around would be better than an extremely botched landing in a slight crosswind. This time the airplane climbed normally, but the engine sounds worsened while turning crosswind. The oil pressure had dropped into the yellow arc, and I smelled a faint whiff of burning oil.
I focused on flying the airplane and making a normal landing, which I did. Upon making my call that I was clear of Runway 14, I cleaned up the airplane. Flaps up: check. Transponder to standby: check. Fuel pump off: check. Mixture lean: already done!
It wasn’t until 4 a.m. that I realized what had happened. Suddenly I could see, clear as day, the red mixture knob in the lean position. With all the distractions prior to takeoff, I had gotten out of my routine. I didn’t look at my few “after cleared onto runway” checklist items again before the takeoff roll. I had forgotten to put the mixture full rich and therefore was starving the airplane.
The moral of this story is akin to Santa Claus. Make a list and check it twice. Heck, check it three times.
Next issues guest writer invitation goes out to - Max Peiten. Watch out for an email soon.
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Back Issues
What is Writers Without Walls?
#001 — With Guest Writer Meiko S. Patton
#002 — With Guest Writer CD Damitio
#003 — With Guest Writer Phillip Matheson
#004 — With Guest Writer Bryan M. Powell
#005 — With Guest Writer Randhir Hebbar
#006—With Guest Writer Kit Campoy
#007—With Guest Writer Greg Younger
#008—With Guest Writer Tom Leveen
#009 - With Guest Writer ChatGPT
#010 - We're Back With An Addition. Welcome To 2024, The Year Of The Writer.
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