Drunk Pilot found Guilty of Risking Catastrophe

It's good to know that flying drunk is OK because our air traffic
controllers are "good" (according to defense counsel).
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NORRISTOWN, PENN. - Judge Bernard A. Moore Wednesday convicted John V.
Salamone, 44, on charges of recklessly endangering others and risking a
catastrophe in connection with that flight that had air traffic
controllers diverting regional commuter jets and other pilots taking
evasive action to avoid crashing into Salamone=92s plane.

"John is a human being and he has made some mistakes, but I am surprised
that the judge concluded he is a felon," said defense lawyer Joseph
Green. "This is not the end of the case. We=92ll see where it goes from
here."

During the trial, Green never challenged the recklessly endangering
charge, which is a misdemeanor. However, Green maintained that his
client=92s erratic flying that night did not rise to the level of the mor=
e
serious felony charge of risking a catastrophe.

"There was never any risk because we have good air traffic controllers
and they were not going to let anything happen," Green argued in his
closing remarks to the judge.

full article:
http://tinyurl.com/66ntk
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http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?n...674&PAG=3D461=
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