Proposal: The Steve Fossett Airmans Search Project

The Steve Fossett Airmans Search Project

After one of the largest domestic searches in American history came up
empty, what makes you think a bunch of us guys in spam cans can do better?

Not that it's not a laudable goal -- I just question the premise. That is a
huge, unpopulated, relatively inhospitable area to search...

And, of course, there is always the remote possibility that he doesn't WANT
to be found...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:

After one of the largest domestic searches in American history came up
empty, what makes you think a bunch of us guys in spam cans can do better?


I've gotta agree with that one. Out here in the West, the way it usually
works is that if you're not found after an extensive search, you'll generally
sit undisturbed until someone (usually a hunter/prospector) runs across your
crash site by sheer coincidence. There are some wreck sites that are just
impossible to spot from the air, such as a vertical descent into a heavily
treed area. I've been to some wreck sites in the mountains that I couldn't
see from 20 yds. away on the ground, much less from an airplane flying
overhead.

It's a laudable goal, to be sure, but given the effort that has already
taken place, I'd say the odds of success would be slim to none.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

--
Message posted via AviationKB.com
http://www.aviationkb.com/Uwe/Forums...ation/200802/1

On Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:29:35 GMT, "JGalban via AviationKB.com"
u32749@uwe wrote in 80121246ff371@uwe:

[Reasonable discourse and personal observations snipped]

It's a laudable goal, to be sure, but given the effort that has already
taken place,

Do you have information about the specifics of the search effort that
has already been conducted?

I'd say the odds of success would be slim to none.

Two questions:

1. If such an effort were organized, would you personally be
interested in searching? (I would)

2. In the event that the nation's pilots were successful, how do
you think it would affect public opinion of GA operations?

Perhaps the EAA would be an appropriate organization to carry the
ball.

Larry Dighera wrote:

Do you have information about the specifics of the search effort that
has already been conducted?

Nothing other than the news reports at the time of the search. They
indicated that the search effort was much more extensive than one would
expect for the average missing plane.


Two questions:

1. If such an effort were organized, would you personally be
interested in searching? (I would)

I don't think I would be. Searching for a downed plane with possible
survivors is one thing. Conducting a massive search to recover a body is
another. There are risks involved to the search aircraft and crew
(particularly in the area in question) that would make it hard to justify.

2. In the event that the nation's pilots were successful, how do
you think it would affect public opinion of GA operations?

I don't the general public would care much one way or the other.

Perhaps the EAA would be an appropriate organization to carry the
ball.

You could try, but I think they would probably pass due to the risk vs.
reward factor.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

--
Message posted via AviationKB.com
http://www.aviationkb.com/Uwe/Forums...ation/200802/1

On Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:59:10 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote in idhvj.43753$yE1.27867@attbi_s21:

The Steve Fossett Airmans Search Project

After one of the largest domestic searches in American history came up
empty, what makes you think a bunch of us guys in spam cans can do better?

Would you question the premise that more searchers at lower level
would be more likely to spot the downed aircraft?

Have you ever witnessed bureaucratic obstacles hindering success?

Not that it's not a laudable goal -- I just question the premise. That is a
huge, unpopulated, relatively inhospitable area to search...

It is a largely unvegetated expanse of open desert, so there is less
to obscure the aircraft.

With my people skills, I am obviously not well suited to head this
effort, but someone with your charisma might spark some interest in
it. Publicize it a bit, and see what sort of response it receives. I
dare ya. :-)






And, of course, there is always the remote possibility that he doesn't WANT
to be found...

That thought has probably crossed a few minds, but what motivation
would there be? He wouldn't have access to his bank account, a legal
Passport nor an airmans certificate, his activities would necessarily
be considerably more restricted. Not likely.

Larry Dighera wrote in
:

On Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:59:10 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote in idhvj.43753$yE1.27867@attbi_s21:

The Steve Fossett Airmans Search Project

After one of the largest domestic searches in American history came up
empty, what makes you think a bunch of us guys in spam cans can do
better?

Would you question the premise that more searchers at lower level
would be more likely to spot the downed aircraft?

Have you ever witnessed bureaucratic obstacles hindering success?

Not that it's not a laudable goal -- I just question the premise.
That is a huge, unpopulated, relatively inhospitable area to search...

It is a largely unvegetated expanse of open desert, so there is less
to obscure the aircraft.

With my people skills, I am obviously not well suited to head this
effort, but someone with your charisma might spark some interest in
it. Publicize it a bit, and see what sort of response it receives. I
dare ya. :-)






And, of course, there is always the remote possibility that he doesn't
WANT to be found...

That thought has probably crossed a few minds, but what motivation
would there be? He wouldn't have access to his bank account, a legal
Passport nor an airmans certificate, his activities would necessarily
be considerably more restricted. Not likely.



Wow, why they don't have you and Jay on that danged middle east problem,
I'll never undrstand.

Oh wait, maybe they do!


Bertie

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:59:10 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote in idhvj.43753$yE1.27867@attbi_s21:
Not that it's not a laudable goal -- I just question the premise. That is a
huge, unpopulated, relatively inhospitable area to search...

With my people skills, I am obviously not well suited to head this
effort, but someone with your charisma might spark some interest in
it.

Now that has to be one of the most laughable slurps in Usenet history...

And there is the extra-added possibility that the search team would
need to search for one of their own if anything goes wrong.
AJ

On Feb 21, 10:59 am, "Jay Honeck" wrote:
The Steve Fossett Airmans Search Project

After one of the largest domestic searches in American history came up
empty, what makes you think a bunch of us guys in spam cans can do better?

Not that it's not a laudable goal -- I just question the premise. That is a
huge, unpopulated, relatively inhospitable area to search...

And, of course, there is always the remote possibility that he doesn't WANT
to be found...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"