BOAC - Just trying to avoid bending some metal...
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You see, long ago, I remember taking off a few times from MXP heading towards the NW, with DC8-61s in dire need of vitamins, and 250 GI passengers with a "10 kg" average carry-on combat kits - at a (supposedly) legal maximum takeoff weight... That radio altimeter (set at 2,500) warning light got me nervous a few times right around Geneva.
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Occasionally (if lucky), we finally reached cruise level at the boundary of Shanwick FIR. The DC8-61 was a "fuel to noise converter" aeroplane. Nothing else beyond that.
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Happy contrails