Re: Manipulating C code at the AST level, in C

On 8/20/26 17:40, rbowman wrote:
> On Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:26:44 -0400, c186282 wrote:
> 
>>     I learned to fly - license at 17 - but then an OPEC embargo drove the
>>     fuel costs beyond what I could cope with. Hell, couldn't even get the
>>     red gas, they tried 100LL but the engine valves kept sticking ... not
>>     good.
> 
> I was working on a project for fuel measurement and management. It was a
> DoD project and I was bored out of my mind so I decided to get some first
> hand experience with planes. The FBO at Middlebury VT was run by an ag
> pilot who offered instruction. It's an uncontrolled airport with one
> runway, 01/19. Typical mountain flying.
> 
> I got bored enough that I took a contract in Ft. Wayne and resumed
> instruction. The instructor was a young woman building hours. My
> impression was she was in the wrong career. The real problem was Indiana.
> I don't do well in flatland. You could land in almost  any soybean field
> in an emergency but looking out and seeing nothing out to the limit of
> visibility was spooky.
> 
> I also realized the VFR limits. I had previously worked for a company that
> was housed in the old Thurston plant that was located on an airport.
> 
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurston_Teal

   I was good enough so they'd trust me to rent a
   plane on bad/gusty weather days and VERY minimal
   VFR days. My old instructor had TOP creds, 'nuf
   said, plus I kinda "just knew" how to fly.

   In case of extreme weirdness, had a few instances,
   even the basic instrument cluster WILL tell you
   what you need to know IF you'll focus on them and
   not what you "feel" or THINK you're seeing.

   Never got an official IFR rating, but my instructors,
   back then, DID pretty much get you there even if that
   wasn't the official program. NOW days - more wimpy.
   How DARE you put "the hood" on a newbie !!!

   Weirdest ... a ZERO ground-speed landing - just as a
   huge thunderstorm front was moving in. 50 knot gust
   just as I was coming in. HAD to bring it down, straight
   vertical, before the gust ran out. FUN ! Runway, you
   still just kinda 'fly' it in the gusts. Also caught
   the edge of a forming T-storm (FAST in my area) that
   fuckin' FLIPPED the plane. Well, worry LATER - just
   work the problem. The instruments will tell you which
   way is up and straight. Oddly did not lose much
   altitude, the updraft was THAT strong.

   Hmm, ONE day, went up and VFR turned into IFR - then
   an F-18 blew by barely 100 feet away. Could see the
   pilots face. DID post a complaint on UNICOM. You
   could not see the ground or anything, just a total
   general haze. The F-18 had fuckin' active RADAR
   though - he was fuckin' around with me.

   Anyway, if yer gonna panic, panic LATER. Meanwhile
   just Work The Problem.

> The company president decided he would take the opportunity to learn to
> fly. He did so and bought a plane since it was so convenient to park it.
> His secretary wasn't enthused by flying off to business meetings but so it
> goes. One day he went to visit a client in Kennebunk ME, a distance of
> about 20 miles. Kennebunk being where it is he encountered fog with very
> limited visibility. He managed to get home in one piece, got out of the
> plane, kissed the ground, and sold the plane. That was that.
> 
> Not a good area for VFR. For that matter I totaled my Mustang flying low
> in the fog. I knew the road but I didn't anticipate the truck parked
> across it as he searched for his turn in the murk.

   IMHO, from long-past experiences, "VFR" training SHOULD
   include pretty much everything you need for basic IFR.
   It can save yer ass. Saved mine a couple of times. The
   instruments, the instilled discipline ... guess JFK Jr.
   never GOT that level .........

   Anyway, don't fly now. A few times on little planes ALWAYS
   insisted on the right seat, just in case. DID get to very
   briefly fly a C-47 - the Cap said "fly it" while he went
   in the back to do something. Cap's word is Law.

   Pretty heavy controls - but manageable. Kinda a BIG
   FAT Cessna :-)

   MIGHT have made a fair commercial pilot. carrying FedEx
   packages (FUCK passengers !). But, went bio/biochem and
   then physical anthropology and then computers. I'm one
   of those "Wide"-Ed people. Specialization is TOO boring
   and awful and ignorant. "Big Picture" serves me best.

   But, if you wanna boost yer GPA, just take in a
   "psychology" course. Very VAGUE pseudo-science
   shit. Mostly just remember the Holy Men in the
   "science". Easy "A". Owned a PRINTER - made very
   NEAT looking papers. Added a point to the GPA
   right there !  :-)

   Anyway, STILL keep track of new Neanderthal/H.Erectus/
   Denisovan info ... know where ya CAME from to kinda
   know where yer GOING.

   Oh, NO SUCH THING as a "human". Hybrids of hybrids
   of hybrids moving all around and fucking everything
   in sight along the way :-)