From The Smithsonian Air & Space online mag;




Grab the Airplane and Go | History of Flight | Air & Space Magazine (http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/Grab-the-Airplane-and-Go.html?c=y&page=1)

Great story. :ok:

I have repossessed a few aircraft in my younger days, nothing to scope of the person in this article. There was one that still to this day that I remember vividly.

It was a Piper Cherokee 140 that was based at small uncontrolled airport in Arkansas, if fact the airport was so small that there was no FBO (Fixed Base Operator) on the airport. Just a few hangars and a small building with a office containing a phone and a toilet. The person that we were going to reposes the Cherokee from had promised to have the hangar door unlocked.

Another pilot flew me to this airport and we discovered that in fact the hangar door was unlocked. We opened the hangar door and saw the Cherokee was sitting in the hangar. However, there was a slight problem.

The owner, we assumed, had painted the aircraft red. Now, when I say he painted it red, that is exactly what he did. He painted the wings red, the tail red, the fusulage red, the gear struts/fairings red, the tires red, the prop red and had also painted the registration number in white paint, with a brush, on the side of the fusulage. Also all the fuel was drained out of the tanks and all three tires were flat. He did not drain the oil out of the engine, so we lucky there.

It took couple of days, but I finally was able to fly it straight to a paint shop where it was repainted to standard Cherokee paint scheme.

Busy reading it now, just makes me wonder, what about all the paperwork needed before a flight, inspections, fueling etc...that does not make for a quick, clean getaway, does it? Or do the companies just let you take the plane as soon as they spot you?

Busy reading it now, just makes me wonder, what about all the paperwork needed before a flight, inspections, fueling etc...that does not make for a quick, clean getaway, does it? Or do the companies just let you take the plane as soon as they spot you?

Depends.
The last one we repossessed required registration change, special flight permit from the FAA, all airport fees paid, etc.
All in all, it took 62 days.
And yes, the meter kept on a runnin'...a very profitable exercise.
As the Captain, I assigned all the dirty work to the First Officer, whilst both myself and the Flight Engineer remained in the bar (mostly), day after day.
Then, on the day of departure, number one engine won't start.
Not a problem, we have two more...so off we go to SIN, where the RollsRoyce rep is, for a quick look-see and fix.
Then, F/O in the LHS for the trans-Pacific flight, via DVO, GUM and HNL.
The leasee was not especially pleased, however....no ticky, no laundry.

Found this over on Rotorheads.........scary people :eek:

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The helicopter 'owner' may have been a jerk for not paying his bills but the thug in dungarees assaulted him with no provocation whatsoever. The thug was big and ugly enough to achieve his aim of controlling the guy's actions without the strong arm tactics.

Not sure what the law is in the USA but with it on film, had it been the UK, he would have a good solid case to have the thug prosecuted for assault.

I don't imagine that people like the 'heavy' guys on the video know of any other way to conduct their business. They are employed because of their 'skills' and, being videoed, were obviously prepared to show how tough they were.

The original Wright Flyer was repossessed by the Smithsonian and an exact replica appeared in the Science Museum in London very shortly afterwards.

I suppose the only question is as to which museum actually has the real one? ;)

Having been in an and around TV once or twice and knowing people in the business. That looks suspiciously like a set up to me. It was all too convenient. The helicopter landing just outside the office thus addding to the drama. The lack of reaction from the pilot to the two cameramen and a bunch of heavies in is office.

I suspect he was prevailed upon to cooperate by means of folding green stuff and the simple fact that he had lost the helicopter anyway. The repossessing pilot's concern over being mistaken for a hijacker was genuine and would have been addressed by contacting airport security. Thus we have this little scene played out for the camera. Overplayed in the case of the headlock by thug 1.

You have to assume that much of what we see on TV has been staged to a certain extent. It's the nature of the business.

Actually that did constitute an assault if it was not staged, not good to film, now he can sue for enough money to get a Bell:}...there was a couple of instances where if the skinny guy had known better where he could have either pulled the thug's trachea clean out or sent bone fragments straight to his brain,...but that's advanced stuff:suspect:

sitigeltfel,

That video was hilarious - imagine having a thoroughly satisfying flight, feeling a bit jaded, and when you come to sign the flight back in some juggernaut comes hurtling at you from nowhere threatening to break your neck...

Haha. :D

Busy reading it now, just makes me wonder, what about all the paperwork needed before a flight, inspections, fueling etc...that does not make for a quick, clean getaway, does it? Or do the companies just let you take the plane as soon as they spot you?

I once worked for a company which had an aircraft repossessed. The people doing the repossession turned up with an engineer who wrote out a maintenance release after a quick inspection. As their arrival was unexpected C of A , C of R etc were all on board. Engine and airframe log books were with the maintenance company who were also owed money. Obviously the value of the aircraft with the log books was considerably greater than without so the engineers would have got paid.

As a court judgment was involved, no choice in the matter. Fuel simply pay cash or use a carnet.

Lesson involved in all this - Pay your bills on time. :E

Lesson involved in all this - Pay your bills on time.
Funny, I read it as "don't buy an aircraft"...:E