One of the evidences of plane crash catastrophes are the detected vibrations on the voice recording tapes. In her November 1997, Discover article, "A Tragic Echo," Fernella Saunders describes how an engineer has found a way to use these voice recorders to detect any problems ahead of time and the effects of human error, "Ronald Stearman . . . has recently managed to vindicate the pilot through an innovative analysis of the plane's cockpit voice recorder. His method may help maintenance workers spot problems in aircraft before a crash." Throughout the article, Saunders explains how Stearman analyzed the noises from the voice recorders to inspect a deadly plane crash in Rhode Island several years ago. He first tried to listen to conversations held by the pilot and copilot which did not hint of any problems. He then analyzed the background noises made by the plane itself and found helpful output. The vibrations detected indicated many different types of problems that may have been overlooked and could have been avoided. If this analysis would have been done, the recordings would have been affected and the problem would have shown up.

A second evidence of the problems causing plane crashes is the violent shaking of an aircraft known as whirl-flutter. Saunders explains how whirl flutter affects the performance of the airplane, "This happens either because the plane's speed exceeds design limits or because hidden structural damage weakens the plane to such an extent that normal speeds stress the craft to the breaking point." Stearman describes whirl-flutter as being catastrophic and looking like an explosion. In his study of the voice recorders, he found a warbling effect on the cockpit noises which could have been caused by vibrations. These vibrations were a clear sign of whirl-flutter as the tapes recorded indicated changes in the rotation of the propellers. Ronald Stearman based his investigation on the Rhode Island plane crash in 1991. He wanted to prove to the National Transportation and Safety Board that the accident was not caused by pilot error. In fact, he wanted to make things as clear as they could be.

The third evidence of how plane crashes occur involve hoe the engine reacts to a cracked mount. In the following passage, Fernella Saunders identifies how Stearman discovered engine-mount cracking through his investigation: Looking at the Federal Aviation Administration inspection records, Stearman discovered that this type of airplane, a twin-engine Beech Aircraft 1900C, had a history of engine-mount cracking, which had promoted six redesigns. When Stearman used a computer to stimulate how the engine would act to a cracked mount, he found that the damage would almost certainly have caused a deadly phenomenon known as whirl-flutter. Prior to his investigation, the Airline Pilots Association found evidence that the engine had broken off during flight and collided to the tail of the plane. This is when Stearman was hired to prove their case. By using his method, he acknowledged a problem that will be very helpful in the future. He completed his investigation to this catastrophe and recommended to all maintenance employees to perform a voice recorder analysis as a standard procedure. His success throughout his research will make a great impact on the present and future aircraft maintenance employees who will now have a new method to prevent any tragedies. Being able to detect problems and correct them will be a huge uplift to the team.

Tragically, all three evidences prove to cause drastic collisions with aircraft. A substantial amount of people die in plane crashes every year from human error. Through Ronald Stearman's investigation, we can safely say that voice recorders are prominently beneficial to all aviation and aerospace employees. His method will be the answer to reducing deaths caused by plane crashes and maybe eventually we will discover something to eliminate it completely.

(Published with the permission of the author)

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The founding fathers of this country wrote in the "Declaration of Independence" that everyone has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The pursuit of happiness has been a great preoccupation for us in our society . Examples we see today include studying hard for academic achievements, working for material gain, doing great deeds for recognition and self-satisfaction among other things. Since happiness is so important to us, society has provided ways and opened channels through which happiness can be pursued. Divorce is one of them, and it provides a way for those in unhappy or loveless marriages to get out and have another chance at happiness. Ironically, there are laws being considered today to make it harder to get a divorce. This is wrong because everyone is entitled to being happy, and therefore can function better, and more importantly be good parents to their children.

Divorce in simple terms is the end of a marriage and the separation of the two people. In her March 12, 1996, USA Today article, "Split Opinions Over Avoiding Divorce" Karen Peterson quotes Kathleen Robertson, an Albuquerque family law attorney, as saying, "It is my fundamental belief that anyone has a right to divorce rather than staying in a loveless marriage." This view is very healthy. We are human and are not exempt from making mistakes. When we make mistakes usually we do the best we can to correct them and give ourselves another chance. We give ourselves the right to a second chance. It's only fair then to give those in bad marriages another chance, the right to have a second chance. The institution of marriage is regarded very highly, and it's every newly- wed's hope that it lasts for a lifetime. However, this doesn't always happen. Sometimes problems arise and some cannot be solved. Would it be logical to make people who are not getting along well or who have a relationship filled with problems to stay together? The answer should be no. It should be their right to an opportunity of seeking and finding happiness elsewhere, not forced to stay in a relationship that brings misery.

Divorce not only provides another chance at happiness, but it also helps the well-being of a person. In her article, Peterson reviews David Blankenhorn, author of Fatherless America. He is against divorce and says people should stay in marriages even when they turn sour. It would be nice if we were able to be in bad situations and not be affected and continue to function perfectly well in all other areas. Unfortunately, this is not the case. As humans we need a measure of some peace and our surroundings need to cater to our well-being physically and mentally. Otherwise, it is possible for all other areas in our lives to be affected. Effects like poor job performance, not being able to relate well with others, depression, and even health problems would be possible. For those in bad marriages, divorce not only gives another opportunity for happiness, but also promotes their well-being and they can therefore function well in society.

The issue of children and divorce is an important one. It is sad for children to see their parents divorce, but this can be viewed as a positive thing because the parents can then concentrate on being better parents to the children. In her article, Peterson uses the example of Lisa Gold, author of Between Love And Hate, and a divorcee. Gold and her ex-husband after their divorce were able to put aside their own personal feelings and concentrate on the responsibility of raising their daughter. People who stay in bad marriages waste a lot of time and energy on their differences sometimes constantly arguing or fighting. It is possible in such situations for the children's needs to be neglected and also bad examples set for them. They may end up missing good parenting. Without the frustrations and problems of a marriage gone sour, parents can spend more energy being better parents to their children.

Some people in society frown on the issue of divorce and look upon it as a moral wrong. They think that those who opt to have a divorce are irresponsible and immature. By doing this they are robbing their children the opportunity of being raised in an intact family. It would be wonderful if all problems had solutions and all marriages could be worked out and last forever. Realistically, this is not possible. If a marriage has problems and there are no solutions, there has to be a way out, and divorce is the answer. It would be more irresponsible to stay in a bad marriage and end up with negative effects like depression instead of divorcing and being able to be a more effective person and parent. In both intact and single-parent homes, good parenting is necessary. It is better to have a good parent in a single-parent home, than to have both parents who are not getting along well. Divorce is good as it allows for another chance at happiness, promotes well-being, and gives opportunity to concentrate on being a good parent.