Writing and Sales

Writing: After editing "Failure Mode" (aka: the Gods Point and Laugh at Tez") I'm at the official halfway point of re-editing the complete Unexpected Diversions file. Found another formatting problem related to me adding new stories in, but I figured out a workaround. Holding off on the next bit for The Summer Intern until I get a little feedback from Peta.

Sales: Made another sale of The Dragon's Companion. Go me. Meanwhile the free sample of Diversions is up to 636 downloads. Not sure if there's a relationship there. The real test will be when the full version of Diversions goes live and I include the link in the free bit.

Health: I am now free of the flu!

Now I have a sinus infection. Headdesk

I got this observation from TV Tropes...

...but it's still true.

I hold in my hand (okay, have lying on my desk right now) a slim, book shaped device with an internal radio transmitter/reciever and a free Internet connection. Pressing a few buttons activate the connection and can bring me straight to Wikipedia (or TV Tropes for that matter) whenever I want, bringing the knowledge of the world (or reasonable facsimile) to me instantly.

Honestly, all some bright person needs to do is stitch "DON'T PANIC" in large friendly letters on a Kindle protective case and I'd be basically carrying a copy of the "real" Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

AKICIF: Modern Airliner Controls

Okay, assume you have something like a modern Airbus airliner with fly-by-wire controls, one Evil Pilot Guy in the pilot's seat, one Not Quite Helpless Hostage in the co-pilot's, and he's taking off. Hostage is handcuffed but manages to kick up and force their foot against the co-pilot's sidestick controller.

What happens?

In an early model jet airliner I assume it would be a fight against who can exert more pressure against the control yoke, but in this case I don't know. Would the pilot still have to fight it? Would he be able to flip a switch and disable the co-pilot's controls beforehand? Or would the airliner's control computer get confused and try to split the difference?

Yes, it's for a story, no I'm not telling you which one.