Captain Sullivan's story [May 18] is a graphic account of a horrendous event. It is also an unassailable argument against the principle that assumption of control of an aircraft's flight path by onboard electronics is acceptable. It is not. Pilots must have a simple, instant method to resume manual control of their aircraft.

Julian Bowditch
​Croydon, NSW

When flight simulators were introduced, they were used as training aids. Sadly, they're now primarily used as testing aids. Appallingly, some pilots now lack basic flying skills and spatial awareness. Many do not possess enough "hands-on" flying experience to disconnect the autopilot and fly the aeroplane when this is the safest option.

Capt Robert Binning
Mosman, NSW

A call to alms

Melinda Gates [May 18] ducked the crucial question: why trust philanthro-capitalists to pursue social change through private market mechanisms when those mechanisms have been partly responsible for creating the social problems they are purporting to solve? This is made more problematic by the fact that the biggest beneficiaries are those philanthro-capitalists.

Angela Smith
Clifton Hill, Vic

Two of Us

It was so nice to read about Magdalene and Sharon from Kenya [May 18]. I sponsored a girl from Kenya from the age of five until she turned 21. Because of the sponsorship she was able to study for her future, still help her farming family and make her own choices for her future.

Janet Scilly
Wollstonecraft, NSW

Dicey Topics

A huge thanks for your profile on Jennifer Byrne [May 18]. This weekend marks a year since I unexpectedly lost my mum, my only relative except for my cherished kids and husband. Reading those words "every guardian I had has gone" made me feel so connected.

Name and address withheld

Art

Thank you for a terrific magazine. I really do like the Art column by John McDonald. It is always interesting and adds value both to your magazine and to art lovers' knowledge.

Rod Fyffe
Bendigo, Vic

Social

T: @MARIANNELEITCH This is an excellent read, tnx @TimElliottSMH ["Smoke screen", May 18]. The tactics are similar to those used by the big food and beverage industry to prevent/delay/ water down regulations.

T: @EVERTRAUWENDAAL Whether Big Tobacco can be taken seriously is fascinating but it shouldn't distract from the fact that the laws which obstruct widespread adoption of vaping/snusing in Australia are killing people (and the government are to blame). There is the real story.

T: @KELMAYO Fascinating read.

T: @ROMILLYMADEW #TwoOfUs this week [May 18] is delightful, about two Kenyan Masai women studying at university in Australia. "She is Masai. She is strong and proud."

T: @ITINERANTWILL A fascinating and honest read ["Out of the blue", May 18], a strong reminder of the trust we put in automated systems and the fallout when they go wrong.

F: ONEILL ELINOR RAE A couple of other pilots went through similar failing of software but their fate was deadly. Kudos to all pilots who man these aircraft.

F: JC LLOYD-SOUTHWELL D'ANVERS Real heroes. What captain and crew must do to keep us safe midair and on takeoff and landing, especially when things go wrong, is extraordinary!

To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.