i do appreciate your concern , seldomfixit, but the details i am asking are not at the maintenance manual level. knowing the systems overview is really of no danger.
i can also prove my genuine interest in aviation since many years ago. when i was a medical student , i wrote a letter, titled "Go video crazy!" to Flight International (i think it was in 1992) suggesting that aircraft such as the airbus should provide a dedicated video channel in the entertainment system where the flight computer would automatically update data such as temperature, estimated time of arrival etc. i also suggested that the airbus should have a forward camera and that the picture should be made available to another channel , so that the pax can see landings etc. Flight International did publish the letter. i don't have a copy with me now , but have the references.
i am also happy to send certified copies of my medical qualifications including registration with the British medical council.
it is a great pity that terrorism curtails the normal way of life. but i suppose we have to live with it. once i was sitting with a mechanic , and becoz of my questions , he spoke to the flight deck crew ,if i could visit the deck ...but was refused ....this was pre sept 11th ....and now i know why.
(by the way , do any of you have old flight international copies ?)