As a retired Marine helicopter pilot, I realized immediately what a terrible situation the Broward Sheriff’s Office pilot was in when I saw the video.

The tail rotor on a helicopter is there to counteract the torque generated from the main rotor’s rotation. In the video, it looks like the tail boom came loose, which would stop the tail rotor from turning.

The helicopter will then start spinning. When that happens, the only thing the pilot can do is to lower the collective and take all the pitch out of the blades and try to control the flight by movements of the cyclic, to turn left or right. This is similar to all of your tires shredding on your car at 100 mph. You can try to steer with the rims only, but don’t bet on getting any good results.

I am also outraged that this helicopter was so out of date for its life cycle and maintenance. In the Corps, every helicopter was inspected before and after every flight and any issues were noted. Any discrepancies that affected a safe flight were remedied before the next flight.

Someone in the sheriff’s system needs to get their proverbial you-know-what in order before anyone else is injured or dies.

Ray Belongie, Lt. Col. USMC Ret., Sunrise

Too much criticism

I question why the Sun Sentinel repeatedly prints letters bashing our District 2 city commissioner and city manager, both of whom work diligently for the betterment of our city (letter to the editor by Amy Hamilton, Aug. 30, “‘Bad actors’ in Fort Lauderdale City Hall are on notice).

It’s embarrassingly obvious who’s behind it. Can’t the newspaper find any other letters worth publishing?

Richie Baptista, Fort Lauderdale

Teach your children

When you’re 4 or 5 years old, the line between reality and fantasy is kind of fuzzy. Wishes come true. Then, as we grow up and gain experience — and, hopefully maturity — we learn that wishing for something to come true doesn’t make it so.

Unless you’re Donald Trump.

Countless official investigations have been mounted into the possibility of fraud in the 2020 election. In more than 63 lawsuits claiming fraud, Trump and his supporters won exactly zero times. The courts have spoken. The election was not stolen.

When a delusional, egocentric, narcissistic man-child denies 63 court findings because he doesn’t like them, that’s to be expected.

When an elected member of Congress does so, it is inexcusable. It sends a message to our children that the law and the courts can be ignored if we don’t like their rulings. Sixty-three times. On election day, you can remove them from office, or not.

What message do you want to teach your children?

Joel Speiser, Delray Beach

Stop the seditionists

For the past 25 years or more, I have heard of and seen proof of groups forming in this country who are committed to destroying our democracy. Guns, ammunition, training for sedition were their tools.

Today, I realize that many of these groups have revealed the danger they pose and are being punished. It does bring a sense of relief that perhaps we, the people, are aware of and are seeking to end these dangerous activities.

Now if we the people could control the use of automatic weapons, we may all feel a bit safer.

Faith Campbell, Delray Beach