Wouldn't matter very much. The interior of airliners is maintained at
about 8,000' (about 11 PSIA). At 50,000' the atmospherici pressure is
about 3 PSIA depending on the temperature so 8 to 9 PSI is about the
maximum difference.

Bernd wrote:

"Gunner" wrote in message
...


I'm watching the rather entertaining show "Myth Busters" where they try

to prove

or disprove urban legends.

Tonight they decided to see if planes really decompress explosively if a

handgun

is fired through the skin or a window. They took a derelict airliner and

pumped

the internal pressure to 8psi. Then they rigged a Sig 9mm pistol to fire
remotely [using a soda vending machine mechanism]. They fired through

the

fuselage and through a cabin window. Neither caused explosive

decompression.

Gee, I guess those British airline pilots who don't want armed COPS on

board

look every bit as much the idiots they sound.


They should have taken the plane to 50,000ft and tried that where the
outside pressure is lower. Might have gotten different results.
What do you think?

Bernd



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