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Old October 25th 07, 02:36 PM posted to rec.aviation.piloting
PPL-A (Canada)
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Posts: 28
Default TFR Bust = Criminal Record For Pilots?

On Oct 22, 11:34 am, Bob Fry wrote:
"LD" == Larry Dighera writes:



So a pilot who simply fails to get a briefing--something hundreds or
thousands of pilots do every day--"may deserve criminal prosecution".
... This administration is out of control ... criminalizing common flying habits might be
the clue some need.


I have noticed a distinct tone, or mode of thinking one could say, of
a portion of the readers and contributers to this group. The last
time I encountered it was in a discussion of the overflight of "built-
up" or populated areas at unsafe and low altitudes while not in the
process of taking-off or landing. In that discussion a similar
rationale was offered as you offer, Mr. Fry, ... common habit. That
writer first proposed that this activity was common habit, and as long
as nothing happened on a particular flight where the regs were
ignored, then the regs were irrelevant. When I pushed the discussion
further the notion of "freedom" was invoked (implying somehow that
Canadians are less "free" than our friends in the U.S. because we
don't make a habit of buzzing beaches and scud-running over cities and
towns and thereby disregarding our aviation regulations) as an
explanation for why regulations put in place in an attempt to find a
balance between the safety of pilots, those people they fly over, and
the privileges afforded those with pilot certificates were unnecessary
and were trumped by these notions of common practice and so-called
"freedom".

While I can understand the frustration at the existence of an
unpredictable and moving "TFR", don't you agree that your ire would
better be directed at the source of the frustration and make efforts
to lower the level of paranoia and fear overwhelming your nation,
especially around aviation, instead of making the ridiculous argument
that your "common habit" somehow justifies the disregard of
regulations (it sounds like you are in the habit of flying without
getting briefings and checking NOTAMS) by everyone. The pilot buzzing
a beach in Florida in the name of "freedom" and the pilot who makes a
habit of taking off without even a cursory briefing and checking of
NOTAMS are the true hazards to the public and other aviators, not
regulations.

If you really believe this particular regulation goes too far why not
organize your local aviation enthusiasts and professionals and
vocalize to your local representation in government your
dissatisfaction with your federal government and its organizations.
Your so-called "common habit" is a rather poor form of rebellion that
will only reflect poorly on yourself and others that think likewise.