DC pilots (update)

Hi,

To summarize:
- PIC was ASEL (not a CFI etc etc)
- No WX briefing
- Passenger was a student pilot (essentially a passenger for the flight)
- PIC froze
- Student took over and landed
- Came very close to being shot down
- PIC will have his certificate revoked
- No action against the student - more positive comments than negative

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7847287

Hilton

Actually most of of us DC based pilots are at least PP-ASEL. ;-)
THe TSA stopped by the airport yesterday (Hyde Field). We had a nice
chat. I asked how close they came to being shot down.
Had they ventured over the river they would be in the river right now.
Stick a fork in the PIC he is done.
If the TSA is any indication of the damage done by these two will be
short lived. THey realize it was the actions of two idiots and not the
rest of us.
Michelle

Hilton wrote:

Hi,

To summarize:
- PIC was ASEL (not a CFI etc etc)
- No WX briefing
- Passenger was a student pilot (essentially a passenger for the flight)
- PIC froze
- Student took over and landed
- Came very close to being shot down
- PIC will have his certificate revoked
- No action against the student - more positive comments than negative

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7847287

Hilton

The problem is TSA has been marginalized over the past year or so with
regard to anything other than passenger screening. They really don't
have much to do with this anymore other than just an office to whine
to...

It is now driven by an interagency working group on airspace for the
most part. In that working group, FBI, USSS, and FAMS are driving the
security bandwagon against GA. I cannot emphasize enough how much FBI
and USSS hates GA, in spite of the fact most of them can't spell GA.

It is truly a shame these two idiots pulled this stunt BEFORE the VWS
is operational. If it had only been a week or so from now, they would
have been lit up by the laser and the optical system would have been
able to track them with high-power cameras... I am afraid they set the
cause of GA back at least 2 years.

What? Freedom to fly? We can't allow freedom of flight in this country!
It is a matter of security!!! Then again, all those tankers full of
toxic industrial chemicals must be allowed to move around without
restriction... And in spite of the fact 2 idiots in a blue sedan
terrorized the National Capital Region for over a month with nothing
but a rifle, we can't impose gun control!!! So, whose lobbying group is
more effective?

PPT33R wrote:

The problem is TSA has been marginalized over the past year or so with
regard to anything other than passenger screening. They really don't
have much to do with this anymore other than just an office to whine
to...

It is now driven by an interagency working group on airspace for the
most part. In that working group, FBI, USSS, and FAMS are driving the
security bandwagon against GA. I cannot emphasize enough how much FBI
and USSS hates GA, in spite of the fact most of them can't spell GA.

It is truly a shame these two idiots pulled this stunt BEFORE the VWS
is operational. If it had only been a week or so from now, they would
have been lit up by the laser and the optical system would have been
able to track them with high-power cameras... I am afraid they set the
cause of GA back at least 2 years.

What? Freedom to fly? We can't allow freedom of flight in this country!
It is a matter of security!!! Then again, all those tankers full of
toxic industrial chemicals must be allowed to move around without
restriction... And in spite of the fact 2 idiots in a blue sedan
terrorized the National Capital Region for over a month with nothing
but a rifle, we can't impose gun control!!! So, whose lobbying group is
more effective?


Yes, the AOPA could learn something from the NRA. They need to show
that "airplane control" as is currently practiced around DC is as stupid
as "gun control" as is also practiced in DC (murder capital of the
world). Neither makes sense, neither is effective and neither is in the
spirit of the constitution (airplanes) or letter of the constitution (guns).


Matt

OK, guys... I'm making an official announcement. "Airplanes don't kill
people!, people kill people!" This statement is hereby mine and none
of you better use it without my concent! LOL. Monday I'm going to the
T-shirt shop and ordering me 1000 units of various sizes. Let me know
if anyone wants one. I'll donate 10% of the profits to EAA's Young
Eagles program, promise! I don't know how much they will cost me, but
I won't mark it up much. Just to cover my time and gas money and also
to cover the cost of the beer while I talk my graphics guy into
designing it Pro-Bono.

Let me know how many and what sizes you want. It wont cost much,
promise.


Flyingmonk.

"Michelle P" wrote in message
k.net...
If the TSA is any indication of the damage done by these two will be short
lived. THey realize it was the actions of two idiots and not the rest of
us.

Why do you disparage the student-pilot passenger? The FAA and AOPA have
instead praised his "valiant effort" to take over when the PIC faltered,
according to the article Hilton cited.

--Gary

On Sat, 14 May 2005 13:41:45 GMT, Matt Whiting wrote:

Yes, the AOPA could learn something from the NRA.

like this one?
http://www.hotze.priv.at/temp/dead-hand.jpg

#m

--
http://www.hotze.priv.at/album/aviation/caution.jpg

Martin Hotze wrote:
On Sat, 14 May 2005 13:41:45 GMT, Matt Whiting wrote:


Yes, the AOPA could learn something from the NRA.


like this one?
http://www.hotze.priv.at/temp/dead-hand.jpg

Not bad. :-)

Matt

On 2005-05-14, Hilton wrote:
- Came very close to being shot down

From the article:

| The most dangerous breach occurred when Sheaffer crossed into Prohibited
| Area P-56, no-fly airspace covering the White House and the Naval
| Observatory. The Cessna passed over that area while being escorted away
| by the Black Hawk.

I'm not sure which part they're calling dangerous -- that a heavily
armed and almost fully fueled helicopter passed over the White House
or that the pilot of a US military aircraft was stupid enough to
escort a perceived threat right to the heart of the city...

--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/

The PIC was in his 70's. I imagine he's done either way.