On Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:33:45 -0800, Dallas wrote
(in article k.net):

Hypothetically speaking, what happens if a student wanders off course and
clips the inside of a class B ring. I've heard stories of the FAA waiting
for violators at the airport.


Nothing, to the student. His instructor is another matter. If the FAA finds
that the instructor was negligent in teaching his student, then they may take
any action from warning him to taking away his certificates.



If these stories are true, how does ATC figure out who the pilot/aircraft is
and which airport to find them? What if you were squawking 1200 and landed
at a non-towered airport?


They can't, usually. They might call someone at the non-towered airport and
watch for people landing there if it looks like you are headed that way.



How serious is this infraction and what generally happens to the hapless
pilot?


Usually nothing, unless you forced an airliner to take evasive action. Then
there will be an investigation and heads could roll. I have known a few
pilots who have inadvertently clipped class B. The FAA tends to be more
severe with people who should know better. Sometimes they are required to fly
with an instructor and get retraining. If it causes an accident, you could
easily lose all your certificates and you will be sued by just about
everyone. You will go bankrupt. Your instructor will deny having ever met
you. Homeland Security will brand you a terrorist. You will lose your home,
your family and they might even shoot your dog.



--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor