What are some people thinking..or not?

**lonewulph** · 12-05-2001, 05:53 PM

I worked the president's visit yesterday along with the secret service. We had to scramble f-16's on a Cessna who was following us (much too closely), in the motorcade from the airport. Then the idiot overflies the Convention Center where President Bush was to speak. His tail number was not on file. After landing in Kissimmee and detained, the situation was investigated. Simple ignorance.
A helicopter was forced down shortly thereafter flying within the restricted zone of the shuttle launch pad, (which was due to launch in a few hours). Again, ignorance. He just purchase the Helo in Miami and was taking it home.
Now, today, the shuttle actually did launch, and yet another fixed wing forced down by f-16's because he was flying well inside the restricted area. Currently being investigated.
I remember some post by pilots who were upset about suffering the brunt of the restrictions in place in the shadow of 9-11.
Now you see why? Not every pilot is as 'on the ball' as most of us, and unfortunately, if the boat tips over, we all get wet.
Let's get the message out there to all our brothers and sisters.. plan you flights wisely in these times. Know every expectation of the route and check it again. It may save alot of time, money, and a frightening experience!
Be safe.

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Bob 'Wolf' Hayes
I Seeee Youuuuu!

**flyinggriffin** · 12-06-2001, 10:20 AM

I hope flight service is more on the ball down by you guys. The quality of the briefers up here is all over the lot. Some are excellent and extremely helpful not only with weather, but TFRs and notams. Others I have had to pull teeth in order to get the needed information.
During the TFR for the nuclear power plants, I couldn't get any info about where a plant was in Vermont, did the restricted area impinge on a couple of Victor airways etc. 15 miles west of so and so is a little vague to chance doing formation work with F-16s. If it wasn't so serious, it would have been downright funny how far off the FAA put the location of some of the nearby plants.
Anybody who knowingly breaks a restricted area should not only lose their ratings, but perhaps should have to cover the costs of the chase. Paying for a couple of hours of F-16 time should give some of them pause.
I fear that the folks who bust airspace in ignorance are also the same ones who blow into the pattern, cut people off or land in the opposite direction from everyone else. I am tempted to say let natural selection do it's job, but that might hurt innocent passangers and be a waste of good aircraft.

**lonewulph** · 12-06-2001, 05:03 PM

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Dec-06-01 AT 05:03PM (EDT)[/font][p]funny...the secret service and I shared the same comment that they should at least have to incur charges for the f-16 scramble, ouch, that would leave a mark!
Cheers!
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...464734627b.jpg
Bob 'Wolf' Hayes
I Seeee Youuuuu!