On Wed, 31 Mar 2004 at 03:47:33 in message
om, John T
wrote:

I admit it's as much opinion as anything else, but I hesitate to call the
X-43 a plane for the same reason I rather not call the Predator or the
Global Hawk planes. "Plane" brings to mind "humans in the aircraft and at
the controls". I think "aircraft" would be more appropriate - and even NASA
refers to the X-43 as "aircraft" and not "plane".

To me a 'plane' means a flat surface or a tool used by carpenters. I
respond better to 'aircraft' or 'aeroplane'. ;-)
--
David CL Francis