Predator crashed

[Morgans]

I read in Avweb that a predator crashed, recently.

Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? <g>

Sorry, everyone. I couldn't pass up the opportunity! :-)
--
Jim in NC

[Richard Lamb]

Morgans wrote:
>
> I read in Avweb that a predator crashed, recently.
>
> Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? <g>
>
> Sorry, everyone. I couldn't pass up the opportunity! :-)
> --
> Jim in NC


I heard rumor it was shot down...

[[email protected]]

Richard Lamb wrote:
> Morgans wrote:
> >
> > I read in Avweb that a predator crashed, recently.
> >
> > Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? <g>
> >
> > Sorry, everyone. I couldn't pass up the opportunity! :-)
> > --
> > Jim in NC
>
>
> I heard rumor it was shot down...

A lttle discussed issue about RPVs is that they do not survive
ordinary use that well. I read somewhere that 1000 hours has rarely
been exceeded before some glitch or other stuffs them into a hillside
or cornfield even without being shot at.
..

[Morgans]

"Richard Lamb" > wrote

> I heard rumor it was shot down...

That's one hell of a good shot, if it really was at 12,000 feet, as it was
reported to be! <g>
--
Jim in NC

[Morgans]

> wrote

> A lttle discussed issue about RPVs is that they do not survive
> ordinary use that well. I read somewhere that 1000 hours has rarely
> been exceeded before some glitch or other stuffs them into a hillside
> or cornfield even without being shot at.

That seems a little strange. With a reported price of 6.8 MILLION Dollars,
I would think reliability would rival the best of small aircraft.

Which begs another question. Why are they using a relatively cheap engine,
like a Rotax, in such an expensive vehicle?
--
Jim in NC

[Ron Wanttaja]

On Tue, 2 May 2006 00:36:12 -0400, "Morgans" > wrote:

>
> "Richard Lamb" > wrote
>
> > I heard rumor it was shot down...
>
> That's one hell of a good shot, if it really was at 12,000 feet, as it was
> reported to be! <g>

Reminds me about the story about the Fed pouncing on a rancher who'd fired a
rifle at a military fighter that he claimed had been buzzing his cattle. The
fighter pilot denied it, claiming he'd been in straight-and-level flight several
thousand feet up.

Fighter pilot, however, could NOT explain why the rifle bullet's exit hole was
only slightly higher on the left side of the fuselage than the entry hole in the
right....

Ron Wanttaja

[Bart D. Hull]

Are you sure it's Rotax powered?

Last RPV I saw up close on the Arizona border used two Moto Guzzi 650CC
motorcycle engines, with GM alternators grafted on the motors to replace
the Guzzi alternators. (Boy those electronics must pull some juice!!)
Sounds like it was on the same area that we caught up with it on, when
it crashed.

You should see some of the fun stuff that flies around here in the vast
spaces.

Bart D. Hull

Tempe, Arizona

Check http://www.inficad.com/~bdhull/engine.html
for my Subaru Engine Conversion
Check http://www.inficad.com/~bdhull/fuselage.html
for Tango II I'm building.

Remove -nospam to reply via email.

Morgans wrote:
> I read in Avweb that a predator crashed, recently.
>
> Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? <g>
>
> Sorry, everyone. I couldn't pass up the opportunity! :-)

[Richard Lamb]

"Bart D. Hull" wrote:
>
> Are you sure it's Rotax powered?
>
> Last RPV I saw up close on the Arizona border used two Moto Guzzi 650CC
> motorcycle engines, with GM alternators grafted on the motors to replace
> the Guzzi alternators. (Boy those electronics must pull some juice!!)
> Sounds like it was on the same area that we caught up with it on, when
> it crashed.
>
> You should see some of the fun stuff that flies around here in the vast
> spaces.
>
> Bart D. Hull
>
> Tempe, Arizona
>


Well, start with an A-10 autopilot. Add flight control actuators,
nav receivers (GPS mostly now), telemetry, on-board processor,
TV cameras and transmitters/recorders, gyro stabalized lenses,
waldos to work all that,
and a transponder in a Pear Tree...

THEN start talking about radar...

Yeah, they pull some trons.

But never heard of the motorcycle engines being used.
Way way too much money in the pot now for that.

Almost all current UAV engines run on Jet-A.
DoD requirement...

[Richard Riley]

It was a Pred B.

"The turboprop-powered Predator B, designated MQ-9B by the US Air Force
and referred to as the Hunter-Killer, flies faster, higher and carries
more weapons than the Predator. The Honeywell TP331-10 engine,
producing 950 shp, provides a maximum airspeed of 260 kts and a cruise
speed for maximum endurance of 150-170 kts. The MQ-9B can carry a
payload mix of 1,500 lb. on each of its two inboard weapons stations,
500-600 lb. on the two middle stations and 150-200 lb. on the outboard
stations. "

The only thing it has in common with the Pred A is they're both made by
General Atomics. It's huge.

Reliability is a problem. Hull insurance for your normal GA airplane
is going to run about 1.5% of the aircraft's value, per year. Hull
insurance for a UAV is about 15%.

[Ron Wanttaja]

On 1 May 2006 23:13:49 -0700, "Richard Riley" > wrote:

> "The turboprop-powered Predator B, designated MQ-9B by the US Air Force
> and referred to as the Hunter-Killer, flies faster, higher and carries
> more weapons than the Predator. The Honeywell TP331-10 engine,
> producing 950 shp, provides a maximum airspeed of 260 kts and a cruise
> speed for maximum endurance of 150-170 kts. The MQ-9B can carry a
> payload mix of 1,500 lb. on each of its two inboard weapons stations,
> 500-600 lb. on the two middle stations and 150-200 lb. on the outboard
> stations. "
>
> Reliability is a problem. Hull insurance for your normal GA airplane
> is going to run about 1.5% of the aircraft's value, per year. Hull
> insurance for a UAV is about 15%.

Yeah, but your typical Cessna 172 can't carry...."a payload mix of 1,500 lb. on
each of its two inboard weapons stations, 500-600 lb. on the two middle stations
and 150-200 lb. on the outboard stations."

You get what you pay for. :-)

Ron "Fly Babies only have the inboard stations" Wanttaja

[Richard Lamb]

"Bart D. Hull" wrote:
>
> Are you sure it's Rotax powered?
>
> Last RPV I saw up close on the Arizona border used two Moto Guzzi 650CC
> motorcycle engines, with GM alternators grafted on the motors to replace
> the Guzzi alternators. (Boy those electronics must pull some juice!!)
> Sounds like it was on the same area that we caught up with it on, when
> it crashed.
>
> You should see some of the fun stuff that flies around here in the vast
> spaces.
>
> Bart D. Hull
>
> Tempe, Arizona
>
> Check http://www.inficad.com/~bdhull/engine.html
> for my Subaru Engine Conversion
> Check http://www.inficad.com/~bdhull/fuselage.html
> for Tango II I'm building.
>
>

Hey, Bart, that's a nice project you have going there.
Pretty shape too.


Richard

[Denny]

Neat project Richard... My compliments...

denny

[Stealth Pilot]

On Mon, 01 May 2006 22:23:50 -0700, Ron Wanttaja
> wrote:

>On Tue, 2 May 2006 00:36:12 -0400, "Morgans" > wrote:
>
>>
>> "Richard Lamb" > wrote
>>
>> > I heard rumor it was shot down...
>>
>> That's one hell of a good shot, if it really was at 12,000 feet, as it was
>> reported to be! <g>
>
>Reminds me about the story about the Fed pouncing on a rancher who'd fired a
>rifle at a military fighter that he claimed had been buzzing his cattle. The
>fighter pilot denied it, claiming he'd been in straight-and-level flight several
>thousand feet up.
>
>Fighter pilot, however, could NOT explain why the rifle bullet's exit hole was
>only slightly higher on the left side of the fuselage than the entry hole in the
>right....
>
>Ron Wanttaja

turning while shot.
a steep turn would make the situation easily achieved.

Stealth pilot

[Ron Wanttaja]

On Tue, 02 May 2006 21:28:23 +0800, Stealth Pilot > wrote:

> >
> >Reminds me about the story about the Fed pouncing on a rancher who'd fired a
> >rifle at a military fighter that he claimed had been buzzing his cattle. The
> >fighter pilot denied it, claiming he'd been in straight-and-level flight several
> >thousand feet up.
> >
> >Fighter pilot, however, could NOT explain why the rifle bullet's exit hole was
> >only slightly higher on the left side of the fuselage than the entry hole in the
> >right....
>
> turning while shot.
> a steep turn would make the situation easily achieved.

Certainly...except the pilot was already on record saying he'd been flying
straight-and-level....

Ron Wanttaja

[Ian Stirling]

Richard Riley > wrote:
> It was a Pred B.
>
> "The turboprop-powered Predator B, designated MQ-9B by the US Air Force
> and referred to as the Hunter-Killer, flies faster, higher and carries
> more weapons than the Predator. The Honeywell TP331-10 engine,
> producing 950 shp, provides a maximum airspeed of 260 kts and a cruise
> speed for maximum endurance of 150-170 kts. The MQ-9B can carry a
> payload mix of 1,500 lb. on each of its two inboard weapons stations,
> 500-600 lb. on the two middle stations and 150-200 lb. on the outboard
> stations. "

Hmm.
I wonder if there is a pilot/operative 'munition' available.
A pod hung on one of the hardpoints, with a parachute for emergency
egress.
Hmm.
Put JDAM on it, a braking rocket, and you can land anywhere :)

[Ian Stirling]

Morgans > wrote:
>
> > wrote
>
>> A lttle discussed issue about RPVs is that they do not survive
>> ordinary use that well. I read somewhere that 1000 hours has rarely
>> been exceeded before some glitch or other stuffs them into a hillside
>> or cornfield even without being shot at.
>
> That seems a little strange. With a reported price of 6.8 MILLION Dollars,
> I would think reliability would rival the best of small aircraft.

Oh, it probably does.

But, there is a whole lot of other crap, in addition to 'normal'
airplane stuff that has to work in order for it not to fly into the
ground.

And even really stupid pilots are not prone to not notice the ground
approaching.

[Ron Webb]

>
> And even really stupid pilots are not prone to not notice the ground
> approaching.

Lessee...

"one good man, fighting for his life, is worth 10 overgrown children playing
a video game."

or was that

"No better bilge pump has ever been invented than a scared man with a
bucket."

[Richard Riley]

That's the Hunter. It's changing to diesel, but it's the first UAV to
do so. All the others are gasoline (except for the Predator B and
Global Hawk, of course)

I'd love to get me one of these for an ultralight
http://www.uavenginesltd.co.uk/index.php?id=393

[Andy Asberry]

On Mon, 1 May 2006 20:06:34 -0400, "Morgans"
> wrote:

>I read in Avweb that a predator crashed, recently.
>
>Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? <g>
>
>Sorry, everyone. I couldn't pass up the opportunity! :-)

Her's a link to a photo and some info on a Global Hawk.

http://www.asberry.net/Aircraft.htm

--Andy Asberry recommends NewsGuy--

[.Blueskies.]

"Richard Lamb" > wrote in message ...
>
>
> Morgans wrote:
>>
>> I read in Avweb that a predator crashed, recently.
>>
>> Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? <g>
>>
>> Sorry, everyone. I couldn't pass up the opportunity! :-)
>> --
>> Jim in NC
>
>
> I heard rumor it was shot down...

RC planes get shot down pretty often - the term used when someone interferes with your radio signal causing a loss of
control...


;-)

[Dan]

Stealth Pilot wrote:
> On Mon, 01 May 2006 22:23:50 -0700, Ron Wanttaja
> > wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 2 May 2006 00:36:12 -0400, "Morgans" > wrote:
>>
>>> "Richard Lamb" > wrote
>>>
>>>> I heard rumor it was shot down...
>>> That's one hell of a good shot, if it really was at 12,000 feet, as it was
>>> reported to be! <g>
>> Reminds me about the story about the Fed pouncing on a rancher who'd fired a
>> rifle at a military fighter that he claimed had been buzzing his cattle. The
>> fighter pilot denied it, claiming he'd been in straight-and-level flight several
>> thousand feet up.
>>
>> Fighter pilot, however, could NOT explain why the rifle bullet's exit hole was
>> only slightly higher on the left side of the fuselage than the entry hole in the
>> right....
>>
>> Ron Wanttaja
>
> turning while shot.
> a steep turn would make the situation easily achieved.
>
> Stealth pilot

The pilot said "straight and level." See above.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[Richard Lamb]

".Blueskies." wrote:
>
> "Richard Lamb" > wrote in message ...
> >
> >
> > Morgans wrote:
> >>
> >> I read in Avweb that a predator crashed, recently.
> >>
> >> Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? <g>
> >>
> >> Sorry, everyone. I couldn't pass up the opportunity! :-)
> >> --
> >> Jim in NC
> >
> >
> > I heard rumor it was shot down...
>
> RC planes get shot down pretty often - the term used when someone interferes with your radio signal causing a loss of
> control...
>
> ;-)


small emp would do it...

[Richard Lamb]

Andy Asberry wrote:
>
> On Mon, 1 May 2006 20:06:34 -0400, "Morgans"
> > wrote:
>
> >I read in Avweb that a predator crashed, recently.
> >
> >Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? <g>
> >
> >Sorry, everyone. I couldn't pass up the opportunity! :-)
>
> Her's a link to a photo and some info on a Global Hawk.
>
> http://www.asberry.net/Aircraft.htm
>
> --Andy Asberry recommends NewsGuy--


LoL! Rotax?

That thing is a monster!

[Morgans]

"Richard Lamb" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Andy Asberry wrote:
>>
>> On Mon, 1 May 2006 20:06:34 -0400, "Morgans"
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >I read in Avweb that a predator crashed, recently.
>> >
>> >Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? <g>
>> >
>> >Sorry, everyone. I couldn't pass up the opportunity! :-)
>>
>> Her's a link to a photo and some info on a Global Hawk.
>>
>> http://www.asberry.net/Aircraft.htm
>>
>> --Andy Asberry recommends NewsGuy--
>
>
> LoL! Rotax?
>
> That thing is a monster!

It was not the Global Hawk, but the Predator B. Still a monster, though.

I would have thought they were using the original Predator, with the Rotax.
I guess they have more of our money than they know what to do with. :-(
--
Jim in NC

[[email protected]]

Dan wrote:
> Stealth Pilot wrote:
> > On Mon, 01 May 2006 22:23:50 -0700, Ron Wanttaja
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> On Tue, 2 May 2006 00:36:12 -0400, "Morgans" > wrote:
> >>
> >>> "Richard Lamb" > wrote
> >>>
> >>>> I heard rumor it was shot down...
> >>> That's one hell of a good shot, if it really was at 12,000 feet, as it was
> >>> reported to be! <g>
> >> Reminds me about the story about the Fed pouncing on a rancher who'd fired a
> >> rifle at a military fighter that he claimed had been buzzing his cattle. The
> >> fighter pilot denied it, claiming he'd been in straight-and-level flight several
> >> thousand feet up.
> >>
> >> Fighter pilot, however, could NOT explain why the rifle bullet's exit hole was
> >> only slightly higher on the left side of the fuselage than the entry hole in the
> >> right....
> >>
> >> Ron Wanttaja
> >
> > turning while shot.
> > a steep turn would make the situation easily achieved.
> >
> > Stealth pilot
>
> The pilot said "straight and level." See above.
>

The pilot said "several thousand feet up", too. See above.

That would be a rather spectacularly good shot on the
part of the rancher.

--

FF

[Richard Lamb]

interesting...

The rumor that a UAV was shot down and everybody assumes
it was some hich farmer with a blunderbuss.

A2A, folks....



wrote:
>
> Dan wrote:
> > Stealth Pilot wrote:
> > > On Mon, 01 May 2006 22:23:50 -0700, Ron Wanttaja
> > > > wrote:
> > >
> > >> On Tue, 2 May 2006 00:36:12 -0400, "Morgans" > wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> "Richard Lamb" > wrote
> > >>>
> > >>>> I heard rumor it was shot down...
> > >>> That's one hell of a good shot, if it really was at 12,000 feet, as it was
> > >>> reported to be! <g>
> > >> Reminds me about the story about the Fed pouncing on a rancher who'd fired a
> > >> rifle at a military fighter that he claimed had been buzzing his cattle. The
> > >> fighter pilot denied it, claiming he'd been in straight-and-level flight several
> > >> thousand feet up.
> > >>
> > >> Fighter pilot, however, could NOT explain why the rifle bullet's exit hole was
> > >> only slightly higher on the left side of the fuselage than the entry hole in the
> > >> right....
> > >>
> > >> Ron Wanttaja
> > >
> > > turning while shot.
> > > a steep turn would make the situation easily achieved.
> > >
> > > Stealth pilot
> >
> > The pilot said "straight and level." See above.
> >
>
> The pilot said "several thousand feet up", too. See above.
>
> That would be a rather spectacularly good shot on the
> part of the rancher.
>
> --
>
> FF

[anon]

> A lttle discussed issue about RPVs is that they do not survive
> ordinary use that well. I read somewhere that 1000 hours has rarely
> been exceeded before some glitch or other stuffs them into a hillside
> or cornfield even without being shot at.

The Predator has a lot of landing mishaps, but class A accidents are
close to predicted rates.

[Richard Riley]

Richard Lamb wrote:
> interesting...
>
> The rumor that a UAV was shot down and everybody assumes
> it was some hich farmer with a blunderbuss.
>

>From AvWeek -

The drone was transitioning from control by its General Atomics pilot
to an automatic flying mode, said Kostelnik, a former commander of the
USAF Armament Center. The drone dropped from 10,000 feet above ground
after a total system failure. An on-board fire or hostile attack are
not immediately suspected.

"It's pretty much destroyed, it's not going to be reparable," Kostelnik
said. CBP Air and Marine already is talking with General Atomics about
a "loaner" Predator.

No one was hurt by the crash in the air or on the ground, Kostelnik
said. A CBP-led team, with representatives from General Atomics, the
National Transportation Safety Board and possibly including the Air
Force, already is investigating the incident, but results won't be
known for several weeks, he said.

"It wasn't the thing going berserk and going away. It had some sort of
massive technical, mechanical failure, who knows," he said.

[Richard Lamb]

Richard Riley wrote:
>
> Richard Lamb wrote:
> > interesting...
> >
> > The rumor that a UAV was shot down and everybody assumes
> > it was some hich farmer with a blunderbuss.
> >
>
> >From AvWeek -
>
> The drone was transitioning from control by its General Atomics pilot
> to an automatic flying mode, said Kostelnik, a former commander of the
> USAF Armament Center. The drone dropped from 10,000 feet above ground
> after a total system failure. An on-board fire or hostile attack are
> not immediately suspected.
>
> "It's pretty much destroyed, it's not going to be reparable," Kostelnik
> said. CBP Air and Marine already is talking with General Atomics about
> a "loaner" Predator.
>
> No one was hurt by the crash in the air or on the ground, Kostelnik
> said. A CBP-led team, with representatives from General Atomics, the
> National Transportation Safety Board and possibly including the Air
> Force, already is investigating the incident, but results won't be
> known for several weeks, he said.
>
> "It wasn't the thing going berserk and going away. It had some sort of
> massive technical, mechanical failure, who knows," he said.

Thanks, Richard

Richard

[Morgans]

"Richard Lamb" > wrote

> Thanks, Richard
>
> Richard

*ONE* of you, or the other, really need to consider changing your ID, and/or
sig line. Like going with Richard R, or Richard L, or whatever.

All of the "Richard's" in the "from" line and sig lines are really getting
confusing, and are totally overwhelming me! <g>

"Who's on first?"
--
Jim in NC

[Stella Starr]

Morgans wrote:
> "Richard Lamb" > wrote
>
>> Thanks, Richard
>>
>> Richard
>
> *ONE* of you, or the other, really need to consider changing your ID, and/or
> sig line. Like going with Richard R, or Richard L, or whatever.
>
> All of the "Richard's" in the "from" line and sig lines are really getting
> confusing, and are totally overwhelming me! <g>

That's a straight line that cries out for a punchline I am far too much
of a lady* to commit.












*as in: As the smoke cleared, someone said, "Whoa, that lady's crazy!"

[Dan]

Stella Starr wrote:
>
>
> Morgans wrote:
>> "Richard Lamb" > wrote
>>
>>> Thanks, Richard
>>>
>>> Richard
>>
>> *ONE* of you, or the other, really need to consider changing your ID,
>> and/or sig line. Like going with Richard R, or Richard L, or whatever.
>>
>> All of the "Richard's" in the "from" line and sig lines are really
>> getting confusing, and are totally overwhelming me! <g>
>
> That's a straight line that cries out for a punchline I am far too much
> of a lady* to commit.
>

But it's so tempting, isn't it?

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

[ventus2]

> >
> > Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? <g>
> >

Was probably using Ethanol'd fuel..
;-)

Chris

[.Blueskies.]

"Richard Riley" > wrote in message oups.com...
>
> "It wasn't the thing going berserk and going away. It had some sort of
> massive technical, mechanical failure, who knows," he said.
>

Great to know those things are being used in civilian airspace.

I remember reading about one of the Global Hawk flights when they lost the datalink. The bird was headed out towards
Barstow or Bakersfield, and all they could see was the TV picture coming back. They pressed the shut down button (self
destruct, pop a chute or whatever it does) and it did not respond. Finally they were able to get some yaw control or
similar and they were able to spiral it down and in before it got over a congested area.

[karel]

".Blueskies." > schreef in bericht
. com...
>
> "Richard Riley" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>>
>> "It wasn't the thing going berserk and going away. It had some sort of
>> massive technical, mechanical failure, who knows," he said.
>>
>
> Great to know those things are being used in civilian airspace.

Define "civilian airspace" ?
I heard of danger zones, restricted zones, and what not,
but never of "civilian" or "military" airspace
KA

[Morgans]

"karel" > wrote

> Define "civilian airspace" ?
> I heard of danger zones, restricted zones, and what not,
> but never of "civilian" or "military" airspace

Jeezz, why do people have to pick nits about anything and everything.

You knew EXACTLY what the point was, that was being made. Let it go at
that, for once.
--
Jim in NC

[karel]

"Morgans" > schreef in bericht
...
>
> "karel" > wrote
>
>> Define "civilian airspace" ?
>> I heard of danger zones, restricted zones, and what not,
>> but never of "civilian" or "military" airspace
>
> Jeezz, why do people have to pick nits about anything and everything.

That was not my intention.
Was rather wondering whether this is one more thing
done differently over in them US of A.

[Montblack]

("Morgans" wrote)
> Jeezz, why do people have to pick nits about anything and everything.


Is that a question [?] or are you making a statement?

Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat ....rat-tat-tat-tat-tat! <g>


Montblack
It was just floating there in front of me. What could I do? :-)

http://www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/balloons.htm
"So far as the various air forces were concerned, bringing down an
observation balloon was regarded as a valid victory and were added to each
pilot's list of 'kills' in the same manner as enemy aircraft." <g>

[Morgans]

"karel" > wrote

> That was not my intention.
> Was rather wondering whether this is one more thing
> done differently over in them US of A.


OK, in the spirit of the apology...

The statement was just a general statement, concerning the fact that such a
thing is out there flying with you and me, and could be anywhere, instead of
being neatly tucked away from us civilians.

It was originally supposed to be flying in an area, with an altitude
associated with the notam. Instead, it comes spiraling down though
altitudes that it was not supposed to be in. Fun, fun.

Everyone better be watching out for them, 'cause they are not watching out
for you!
--
Jim in NC

[Richard Riley]

Global Hawk - and only Global Hawk - has a blanket authorization to fly
in the national airspace. They figure they're launching in a
restricted area and climbing to 60,000 feet, and there's not much
civilian traffic up there :)

[Morgans]

"Richard Riley" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Global Hawk - and only Global Hawk - has a blanket authorization to fly
> in the national airspace. They figure they're launching in a
> restricted area and climbing to 60,000 feet, and there's not much
> civilian traffic up there :)

News to me, but OK.

The predator hat crashed was operating in the low teens, when it went
haywire, and went down, right through an area that was not notamed, as far
as I know.

Fortunately, the "big sky" theory worked, and nobody else got mid-air'ed.
--
Jim in NC

[.Blueskies.]

"Richard Riley" > wrote in message oups.com...
> Global Hawk - and only Global Hawk - has a blanket authorization to fly
> in the national airspace. They figure they're launching in a
> restricted area and climbing to 60,000 feet, and there's not much
> civilian traffic up there :)
>

The predators are flying the border, at least, and are under notam. Not a blanket clearance, but there are 100% more of
them this year than last year...