Glider Pilot arrested for airspace

So what should I do if I find myself low and needing to fly over a power plant? The cooling tower might trigger a good thermal.

On Friday, January 11, 2013 9:21:35 AM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
So what should I do if I find myself low and needing to fly over a power plant? The cooling tower might trigger a good thermal.

turn off your radio

On Friday, January 11, 2013 10:22:35 AM UTC-5, Tony wrote:
On Friday, January 11, 2013 9:21:35 AM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:

So what should I do if I find myself low and needing to fly over a power plant? The cooling tower might trigger a good thermal.



turn off your radio

No, that's the scary part. DHS was intending to use deadly force in this
instance. Robin was fortunate that he managed to catch their call on the
unicom frequency. (Personally speaking, I like to switch to the nearby
unicom/multicom frequency if I'm down digging near an airport, in case
there's traffic around. But, there have been times I haven't done that,
or turned the radio down in order to concentrate, or even had an inop
radio!)

We have a nuke plant near where we fly, and near to where I often get
up to final glide at the end of the day. Fortunately, it's surrounded
by forest and lake, and there's a coal plant nearer to the adjoining
airport that all-in-all is a better choice for a thermal (except for
the smell).

Matt

On Friday, January 11, 2013 10:38:30 AM UTC-5, wrote:

DHS was intending to use deadly force in this
instance.

How do you know that? I do not see that in the article.

On Friday, January 11, 2013 12:00:23 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Friday, January 11, 2013 10:38:30 AM UTC-5, wrote:



DHS was intending to use deadly force in this

instance.



How do you know that? I do not see that in the article.

Because I talked to Robin after the incident. There's reference to it
in the article. Fortunately they asked the helicopter guys to do it,
who knew better.

Matt

It's too easy to write this off as one isolated incident involving one overzealous sheriff.

On 1/11/2013 10:35 AM, wrote:
On Friday, January 11, 2013 12:00:23 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Friday, January 11, 2013 10:38:30 AM UTC-5, wrote:



DHS was intending to use deadly force in this

instance.



How do you know that? I do not see that in the article.

Because I talked to Robin after the incident. There's reference to it
in the article. Fortunately they asked the helicopter guys to do it,
who knew better.

I don't see any reference to the DHS intending or considering use deadly
force in the article, or asking/requesting the helicopter guys (which
were from the Sheriffs dept) do it. Can you give me the sentence or
paragraph for that?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

This seems to be a perfect cue for glider operations to announce "First Responder Appreciation Day" at the airport. Free glider rides, toy gliders for the kids, barbeque, etc..

We need to cultivate good long term non-confrontational relationships with first-responders. The good guys will keep the loose cannons in check if they understand what the heck we are doing up there in the sky without an engine.

I'd prefer to see a big smile on the deputy's face when an irate farmer calls him/her out to mediate a contentious land out.

On 1/11/2013 7:38 AM, wrote:
DHS was intending to use deadly force in this
instance.

According to the article, it was one local policeman, not the DHS. It
appeared it was the local officials that were seriously misinformed
about the regulations, and the FAA and DHS had it right.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)