Rocker Tommy Lee's Helicopter Forced to Land by Police

[Continuous Ignition]

Rocker Tommy Lee's Helicopter Forced to Land by Police (http://www.ktla.com/landing_topstories/?Rocker-Tommy-Lees-Helicopter-Forced-to-L=1&blockID=201561&feedID=1198)

A helicopter carrying rocker Tommy Lee was forced to land at Van Nuys Airport Sunday after it flew too close to an LAPD chopper over Glendale.

[B Sousa]

Interesting. Very curious as to how this goes and what makes the Police able to "force" other aircraft out of the sky.
NOTAM, I can understand, maybe even an emergency operation, but the rules are equal for all and sometimes these guys think their badges are big enough to slingload.

[Tarman]

I heard that Tommy's chopper was huge !
Looks like a normal sized one to me !:E

[Dan Reno]

Reminds me of the LA Secret Service agent who cut off a guy who then gave the agent the hand pistol gesture we all do when playing cowboys and indians. Anyway, the SS agent arrested the guy for communicating a threat.

[Phil77]

Yea I'm interested about the legality too. I was cut off by a police helicopter in Philly ones, they even followed me into the surface Class B and requested with the tower that I should come up on 123.025 to receive a lecture why I wasn't monitoring that very frequency... I was actually talking to Philly approach/tower, receiving flight following (since I was operating in an out of the class B) on my only (operable) radio when they tried to contact me! := :ugh:

"Sky Police" :eek:

[R44-pilot]

Is it the same in the States as it is in the UK?

i.e. Heli pilots are just commercial pilots and not police officers? Or do some states have police officer/commercial pilots all wrapped up into one big bundle of joy....:}

But which ever, why do they think they can "pull" people up or ....... pull people down... lol.

Tommy Lee's helicopter flew to close to them, why is it not that they flew too close to Tommy Lee's helicopter?

[Phil77]

That varies from city to city. Some have civil pilots and police officers as copilot.

In New York and LA you have to be a police officer first, before they train you to become a pilot (I think Philadelphia too).

Nevertheless, as long as there is no TFR in effect, they have the same rights and obligations as you and can only ask you to do things (stay away from a pursuit or crime scenes etc.). All that of course applies as long as you don't break the law, but even then, "intercepting" another aircraft by regular police is questionable in my opinion.

[traumajunkie]

Tommy Lee's helicopter flew to close to them, why is it not that they flew too close to Tommy Lee's helicopter? The article says that the pilot admitted to intoxication, though the accompanying video seems to indicate that the ensuing BAC test was either within limits or somehow insufficient to book him. On a worrying note, the LAPD spokeswoman refers to "forwarding" the results of their investigation to the FAA for further action, which certainly brings up the question of whose authority they were operating under to that point.

Do police helicopters have any of the requisite jurisdiction over airspace to intercept and detain a civilian pilot? If so, what kind of probable cause/burden of proof requirements do they operate under? Would be very interested to hear some legal opinions on this.

[falcon920]

From what a heard about the incident the helicopter in question busted some airspace and caused a go-around at one of the airports and the tower requested the assistance of the LAPD. The LAPD only responded at the request of the tower.

[Cyclic Hotline]

Who is Tommy Lee?

[slingyerhook]

Drummer with the Motley Crewe.

Pretty handy on the stack,and pretty handy in the sack with a well known blonde actress from a popular 80's U.S show.......:E.

SYH.

[Cyclic Hotline]

I agree that Crewe is pretty motley - skanky might be more apt.

Does the drummer hold some sort of ceremonial role there?

[vaqueroaero]

Once again this particular pilot is in the news for all the wrong reasons. He was the guy who landed in the street in front of Tommy Lee's house in 2006 and was subsuquently charged and had his certificate pulled.

Before everyone blasts the policemen who tracked him down it is a matter of time before this guy takes someone out. I say good on 'em.

Anyone who has flown in the LA basin and San Diego will know of several more interesting stories..........

[Stan Switek]

The vast majority of police pilots in the USA are fully sworn police officers. All the pilots at LAPD are sworn officers. If a law enforcement pilot sees an aircraft being operated in a reckless manner in violation of the law and ignoring air traffic control creating a hazard to air navigation, the officers have every right to request the person land and investigate the pilots fitness for flight. In fact, they would be derelict in their duties for not doing so. If they ignored this guy & mid aired someone, people would all be bitching how lazy & negligent the cops were.

As soon as this guy landed, he took off for the closest bar and had a few belts before the cops caught up with him. This was most likely done to cover up the fact he had been drinking. His defense is that he only started drinking when he arrived at the bar. Possibly difficult to prove otherwise. Certainly not the actions of an innocent person or any professional I'd want in the sky around me.

I'm amazed at how easily some people can ignore the big picture for the sake of bashing the police. If law enforcement "asks" you to do something, it may just be a request but on the other hand there may be some facts you are not aware of behind that request & it could very well carry the full force of the law.

[Phil77]

Stan,
you seem to know your way around police aviation and I don't mean that sarcastically; do you have any reference of the law you point me to? Maybe in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title14/14tab_02.tpl) ?
Its just my personal interest, not some beef with the police department.
In the contrary, I taught a few state police guys how to fly - one is now a good friend of mine. I also know a couple of guys from the NYPD Aviation - even flew with one gentlemen.

If it turns out to be true, that in this case ATC asked for assistance, fair enough - but still, can local police (or even state police) pursue federal law? My understanding is, that the airspace is federal territory? You could argue an emergency resulting from the reckless endangerment, but who is liable if the subject crashes during the interception?
I stand to be corrected.


FWIW: If half the stories about the pilot in question are true, he certainly should be grounded I think.

[alouette]

Tommy Flea Jones?!? And I thought he exposed his kingly piece or the lack thereof while flying through the air causing a stir in the neighborhood... :E

[topendtorque]

Looks like a normal sized one to me !


Did it have big ears also TARMAN?
sounds like you're fairly close to the action.

[Stan Switek]

Phil,

Federal law and state laws often intersect here in the USA. I'll give you an example of an incident I was involved in around the early 1980's.

I was flying around turning avgas jet into noise late one night. A person in another county committed a grand theft of a small fixed wing aircraft. Not only is it a federal crime but it is a violation of state law. The pilot was also later determined to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

After buzzing around southern California he works his way through my jurisdiction. In the process busts the airspace at my home airport and at the same time makes some aggressive maneuvers toward another law enforcement helicopter. Under federal law that would be along he lines of a 'reckless operation." Under state law we would call it assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, a felony.

The pilot continues on and busts the Class B (we called it a TCA then) at LAX forcing numerous passenger jets to divert. Eventually this guy has had enough fun & decides to land at my home airport. Of course he lands without talking to anyone causing another passenger jet on final to go around.

My question is do we in law enforcement ignore all this just because some federal crimes are involved? Did you know bank robbery is a federal crime? Local police are the first responders. Local police have every right in fact a duty to enforce ALL laws.

As another less extreme example, local law enforcement sees an aircraft land at an airport, less than an hours flying time from the Mexican border, no lights, no communication, should they be suspicious and investigate? Under the law, you have every right to investigate.

In my home state of California, (I'd guess it's the same all over the USA) police officers can enforce all laws when they have probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. It's a simple matter of filing the case in the appropriate court. Violation of state laws is filed in superior court with the district attorneys office. Federal charges are filed in federal court with the US Attorneys office..

Just because a crime may be a federal crime, it doesn't mean the local police have to say "Kings X." Nothing could be further from the truth. It is only under very rare circumstances a police aircrew going to ask or direct you to do anything. If they ask you to land and wait by your aircraft, wait for the nice men in the blue uniforms, my advice would be to comply, not run to the bar down the street & have a few belts. Chances are good that both the people in that law enforcement aircraft are fully sworn police officers with years of training in enforcing the law. The likely know your rights better than you do. In fact they have to.

Bottom line is some common sense, courtesy and cooperation can go a long way toward clearing up an incident. Of course you can ignore my advice, get cocky, get an attitude, tell the officer they cant touch you under federal law and see what happens. My guess is you will not like the results. I hope this answers your question.

[vaqueroaero]

Police in aviation in California are also backed up by a small document called 'The Public Utilities Code'.

I'm in no expert, but I understand that gives them considerable clout.

[Stan Switek]

You may be making reference to this? http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/planning/aeronaut/documents2/puc051107.pdf

The PUC is just another code or tool such as the penal code or vehicle code. There are 29 codes in California. A police officers authority to enforce the law is governed by the penal code.

As I said before, the police may also enforce federal law. It is just a mater of filing the cases with the proper agency, DA or US Attorney.

[Phil77]

Stan,
thanks for your examples, your actions make perfect sense and from what I can see they were within my personal common sense scope, meaning somebody has to bring them to justice and certainly you can argue later what kind of crime was committed ;)

I guess what I was getting at were less severe cases where some of your colleagues couldn't help but pursue their interpretation of "air law" in day to day operations.
In addition to my example earlier, here's another one:
Big sporting event in a large city - no TFRs, no restrictions other than the normal airspace. Incident happened outside controlled airspace.
Acquaintance of mine was tasked by the organizer of the event to provide coverage; although he clearly stated his task and intention on air-to-air (the customer specifically wanted that particular shot), the police wanted all news helicopters above a certain altitude, arguing they need to be down there (flying the major on a sightseeing trip) and so everybody else would have to move. He successfully negotiated his position by not moving, saying he is not a regular news helicopter (btw. not being anywhere near a crowd or imposing any danger) and doing the job he was tasked to do. You can question his actions, he certainly didn't make any friends in the police department or the major's office, but at least finished the job and didn't get fired. He never heard from the officials again.

Sometimes I believe your colleagues think their badge grants them special rights - and mostly it works, but back to my initial question:
Apart from being operating procedure or local policy, is there any federal regulation? It doesn't appear that way.


Little pun intended: You would never flash your badge when you get pulled over in your private vehicle for speeding and get away with it, hu? :ok:

[Helinut]

I guess all the above refers to the US of A. For what little it is worth, in the UK the picture is also a bit vague.

We normally expect the CAA's legal enforcement branch (or whatever they are called this month) to enforce civil aviation rules. They are mainly retired police officers, and essentially, they only respond to complaints, I believe.

However, police officers have initiated prosecutions under those rules. For example, some police forces raise prosecutions for laser use against aircraft - Endangering Aircraft. Other times it is done by the CAA.

I know from another area of regulation that sometmes the police are specifically prohibited from taking prosecutions under certain laws. I believe there is no such ban under the CAA rules, so perhaps police can raise prosecutions under any CA rules, if they want.

Police officers have certain powers to inspect licences and similar. They have also been specifically introduced into the new UK rules about alcohol and are authorised to require breath tests.

Not heard of a specific power to direct other aircraft though (but that does not mean it does not exist). However, you might get a situation where a police aircraft was requested by ATC to "pass on" a clearance or request from ATC, who would have powers within controlled airspace. Police aircraft are certainly used when aircraft infringe airspace or threaten such infringement. That may not be too surprising in the current climate. The police observers will sometimes take statements from pilots after flying incidents too. Often, they are passed on to the CAA.

The rules for UK police aircraft do allow them to "fly in formation with other aircraft" without the agreement of the pilot of that other aircraft. However the details of their exemptions say that they are only allowed to do that in certain conditions and long enough to gain information to ID the aircraft etc.

If a police helicopter or other operation at an emergency is being hampered by other aircraft, there is a process for the police to ask the CAA (DAP) to put a RA(T) in place which excludes other than approved aircraft - takes a while though.

If police operations (airborne or otherwise) in controlled airspace are being hampered by other aircraft and the job/situation warrants it, then they can ask ATC to move the aircraft.

And finally, UK police ops are specifically prohibited from firing from an aircraft, when they operate under civil aviation rules.

[B Sousa]

Local police have every right in fact a duty to enforce ALL laws.

I love it when the cops talk tough........ Now can we get you to pick up a few Million Illegals??

[Stan Switek]

My department always did it's job & notified ICE when we arrested illegal aliens on criminal charges which was frequently. Department policy was to fax written notification to ICE upon arresting any suspected illegal alien. We always complied with the policy. Getting the feds to pick them up was a whole different story. My career ended when I was working a car one night and struck by a unlicensed illegal alien. My injuries were so severe I was medically retired against my wishes so spare me the BS. I was attempting to provide informed comments on the topic at hand and clear up any misinformation..

[SASless]

Bert Baby,

I suggest you direct your complaint about illegal immigration to the Bush...now Obama folks in the White House....and not at the local police.

Please to recall the Federal Government is the protector of the border not local police.

Why is it a problem anyway....did we not spend pot fulls of tax money building the American equivalent of the Maginot Line along parts of our southern border?

Perhaps that is what is keeping so many of them folks trapped here....they can't find their way home now.

[FH1100 Pilot]

1. Certainly it seems as if the media is, as usual, overblowing this story (which you can read here (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604055/20090202/lee_tommy.jhtml) if you like). Forced to land? Hmm. I think not. Sounds like Martz landed when he was good and ready to land. The PD helicopter that Martz flew "too close" to was apparently too busy or otherwise unable to follow them to the airport in hot pursuit. Instead, Martz and Lee landed and had time to repair to a nearby hotel(?) before the ground cops got there. Hmm again. So it's not like the PD ship flew up next to Martz and commanded him to, "Pull over, bub!" I don't detect too much sense of urgency there. (Then again, I'm assuming that Martz didn't just land, short-cool it and hop out into a speeding getaway car, leaving it with the blades spinning down and the battery on. But you never know.)

2. U.S. FAR 91.17 allows local law enforcement officers certain limited authority to require blood or breath alcohol tests of pilots. Nevertheless, the airborne PD cannot interfere with or endanger another aircraft in flight, even if their chest-puffing attitude would suggest otherwise.

3. That pilot Martz is getting quite a reputation as a wild man. His antics have come under the spotlight of the L.A. media. If the reports of his various suspensions and revocations are true, you can bet that the FAA has him under a microscope. (I would assume that he gets some sort of perverse enjoyment out of tweaking the authorities, and obviously isn't afraid of a little FAA certificate action now and then. He probably has the means to defend himself legally.)

[B Sousa]

Please to recall the Federal Government is the protector of the border not local police.



I understand totally, but Stan mentioned that Bank Robbery was a Federal crime, why respond to that either.......Let the Feds do it........
You know that dog wont hunt. Its called a lack of leadership and La La Land is second to San Francisco for that.

That pilot Martz is getting quite a reputation as a wild man.
Had we known that at the get go, Im sure things would not have sounded one sided. There are, however, quite a few cops out there with Badges extremely large.
Martz is gonna have to stand in his own mud for sure. Interesting as you really have to be a screw up to get the FAA interested.

Perhaps that is what is keeping so many of them folks trapped here....they can't find their way home now.
Well, maybe if the economy keeps tanking some of these lazy a$$ gringos are going to have to work to eat. Nobama is not going to feed them. That will certainly push some back south.

[Cyclic Hotline]

Porn Star Provides In-Flight 'Entertainment' - NBCSANDIEGO.COM- msnbc.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29052984/)


:ooh:

[heli-cal]

How appropriate that her name was Puma! :ok:

I guess that she'll be charged with interfering with the controls of an aircraft, it being alleged that she came into contact with the collective stick whilst it was in the 'up' position! :}

[Aser]

Porn Star Provides In-Flight 'Entertainment' - NBCSANDIEGO.COM- msnbc.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29052984/)
By Eric S. Page
NBCSanDiego.com
updated 2:45 p.m. ET Feb. 7, 2009


A local helicopter pilot is under investigation, accused of shooting a porn flick in the skies over San Diego while he was at the controls.

David Martz is known for ferrying celebrities like rocker Tommy Lee.

A video obtained by TMZ shows porn star Puma Swede topless on the tarmac at Montgomery Field in 2007. She can then be seen on the video inside the chopper alongside Martz, buzzing over crowded freeways and neighborhoods.

Shortly afterward, she leaned over and performed a sex act on Martz.

Puma said it was a way to repay Martz for allowing the crew to use his chopper and hangar at Montgomery Field.

Martz had his pilot's license suspended and revoked twice for flying recklessly. He is also under investigation by the FAA for flying dangerously close to an Los Angeles police helicopter near Van Nuys airport, just days ago.

That's CRM or MCC ? :}

Regards
Aser

[R44-pilot]

Man, this guy gets better :ugh:

Are there any laws about actually shooting a porn flick in the back of a helicopter? Because I may know of one done in a certain Sunshine State........

[R44-pilot]

Hahaha, this is so funny! crazy but funny!

I think this video link should be posted in the "so you want to be a helicopter pilot?" thread........:ok:

[kevin_mayes]

Suppose this would be classed as "Aerial Work" then? :oh:

[Whirlygig]

for allowing the crew to use his chopper
...and I bet it feels cheap and dirty now :}

Just wondering if there was a restriction in aft cyclic travel?

never thought you English guys would be more prudish than the Americans Who's to say we are - I reckon this thread'll survive :ok:

Cheers

Whirls
(British, not English!!)

[R44-pilot]

Damn I missed it! what time was it removed? :p

And James, Mod's have removed that video once today lol :=

[Stan Switek]

If you go to TMZ.com and do a search using the pilots last name, there are several stories/videos. Reportedly, according to the media, this guys license has been suspended four times. One of the times involved a forged medical. He also reportedly had a wire strike in Mexico. The FAA has been aware of this incident and had the evidence for quite some time. At least one person disapproved of this guys alleged actions and forwarded the info to the FAA who did nothing till this pilots colorful history became public knowledge. Now, suddenly they are investigating. I'll close by saying that 47.5 seconds is a disgrace to the entire profession. :eek:

[kingoftheslipstream]

She was jus' lookin' fer his Jesus! nut... :ok:

[helispeediii]

i think this pilot is a disgrace, and lets all us rotory/pilots down , where did you say he flys for/from ,suspended hmm??? helispeediii:=

[birrddog]

It was a poor example of CRM.

I did not hear any positive hand over 'you have control - I have control' when she took a turn on the cyclic (or was it collective - it was blacked out...)

Is he even rated as a CFI? ;)

[Devil 49]

My Swedish is a little weak. When she says "That was fast", it's complimentary?

[Horror box]

Damn it - why do I never get passengers like that. All mine are always over 100kg and dressed in orange suits, which really doesn't do it for me, and they don't even give me so much as a "thank-you", let alone a suction de-fuel!

[kevin_mayes]

"Puma wondered if the new inflatable duals would pass the type approval process as pressure was lost after 47 seconds..."

[Senior Pilot]

This thread has a choice of staying as a Rotorheads thread, or being deleted. It's up to you and how/what gets posted.

We all like a bit of a laugh, often at others' expense, but the attempts to take this thread way off topic and into the realms of smut and porn will not be tolerated.

Nothing to do with prudish English morals, just good manners and common sense. FWIW, there is only one English moderator here; it's a world wide site, and world wide manners will prevail.

First and only warning :=

[B Sousa]

and into the realms of smut and porn

I guess your right, most on this thread are Helicopter types. Certainly no place for Fixed Wing conversation..:ugh:

[DoinTime]

Interesting subject this one...

I too have taught many Deputies how to fly and still have regular contact with them.

Here is some examples that may question some of that authority.

One of them was if I recall right, In Vero Beach a Sheriff helicopter forced another helicopter to land and then gave them a ticket for disturbing the piece right there on the runway????

Another is having police put a TFR in place??? I understand the need to keep people away from the area, especially around 4 to 6 hundred feet. But to try and bust people for flying through a TFR that was put up by the police at that time with out proper notification to the flying community is absurd.

Unfortunately you will always have that one police officer that thinks he is god almighty himself. But in general for the most I think Police in the aviation units are professional and I am glad they get involved with helping police the sky's..... As long as they do not get out of hand with the "control freak" issues. After all some Police officers have their own interpretation of air laws.

DT

[SASless]

Why is it I am not surprised this turned to "smut and porn".....seems commonplace to most any pilot/engineer tea room conversations I have heard over forty years of helicopter flying. Usually it only takes about 37 seconds for that to happen however.:oh:

[widgeon]

Celeb Chopper Pilot Grounded Over Porn Flight - TMZ.com (http://www.tmz.com/2009/03/11/celeb-chopper-pilot-grounded-over-porn-flight/)

[bell222]

That sucks.........

[Whirlygig]

Last time this was posted, it got deleted PDQ.

Cheers

Whirls

[chester2005]

Its good to see the FAA did something about this Pilot IMHO it should maybe have been done a bit quicker.
Chester:ok:

[Scott Diamond]

I must add; that term "airship" gave me a few giggles after hearing it repeatidly!

[gwolf3436]

What seems to be fogotten is that all municipalities have laws that duplicate federal laws in many ways New York and many other states have Aviation Laws under the General Business Law which empowers local law enforcement personel to make arrests for low flights and reckless behavior. And, by the way, State Law enforcement personel can make an arrest under federal law, especially if there is no state or local statute that covers it... Any law enforcement person of any juristiction can always hang his hat on the "reckless" clause. There are several culpable mental states, ie; knowingly, recklessly, with intent to, with a depraved indifferance to human life, etc. that is part of just about every Penal Code imaginable. All that a police officer has to witness is any of these culpable mental states or actions and he can make it fit any penal code...for example; He operated the aircraft in a reckless manner, with a depraved indifferance to human life flying low over the heavily populated beach. The engine quite and he struck and killed a sunbather and subsequently is charged with crimaly neglogent homicide...why are we so paranoid anyway. Keep your head outside and not up your blind spot and you won't be bothered

[TorqueGauge]

GARDENA, Calif.—A judge says a commercial helicopter pilot videotaped in a sex act while flying over San Diego committed gross negligence and cannot have his license back.
After a three-hour hearing Tuesday, National Transportation Safety Board administrative law Judge William R. Mullins upheld a Federal Aviation Administration order revoking the license of David Martz.
Martz had no comment after the ruling.
A passenger was videotaping when Martz let an adult film actress perform a sex act on him during the May 20, 2005, flight, and an edited version eventually became public. :D
The judge watched the unedited tape in chambers and took testimony before his decision.
Martz testified that his actions weren't bright and he's much more responsible now.

...what a blow.

[Bomber Harris]

SAN DIEGO -- An explicit video shot in a helicopter -- and the pilot involved -- has made local and national headlines.

Now San Diego pilot David Martz is publically admitting his mistake.

"I'm sorry about this entire event … I have rehabilitated myself," Martz told 10News reporter Juliette Vara.

The Federal Aviation Administration disagreed with Martz's claim, and revoked his pilot's license after a video with him engaging in sexual acts with an adult film star surfaced.

"At no time did I endanger anyone's safety on the ground," said Martz.

Vara asked Martz, "The FAA said you were careless and reckless. How do you defend yourself?"

"If there was any kind of emergency, I could've handled it … the video shows I was straight and narrow, and a great distance between another aircraft…," said Martz.

Martz showed 10News that his hand never left the helicopter's main controller.

"Is it fair to say you were preoccupied?" asked Vara.

Martz replied, "No, no, I was not preoccupied. I was flying the machine … that was my priority. Safety first…"

To some it might be easy for Martz to say now, but hard for many who have seen the video to believe.

"I've hurt my family, my friends; I wasn't brought up to be in a helicopter engaging in acts like that," said Martz.

Martz has been a pilot since 1982 and is known as the pilot for celebrities including musician Tommy Lee.

This is the fifth time Martz's license has been revoked or suspended, Vara reported.

He has appealed the most recent case, and will know within 50 days if his license will be reinstated or not.

10 News Article (http://www.10news.com/news/19143010/detail.html)

[Jonny Suave Trousers]

He's blown it this time.

[Bomber Harris]

Personally, I wouldn't admit to being "straight and narrow" :)

[RAD_ALT_ALIVE]

Bah!

It's all just lip service.

And anyhow, this time he's come too far to ever take it back.:O

[YHZChick]

Saw the video a few weeks ago. The man is an embarassment to the profession. His licence should be revoked permanetly.

[MarcK]

Glad you asked:

Pilot Loses Appeal To Regain Certificate After In-Cockpit Sex

Helicopter pilot David Keith Martz, 52, this week lost his appeal to regain his certificate, which he lost after a video surfaced that allegedly shows him having sex with a Swedish adult film actress while flying a helicopter over San Diego. Martz argued that since his hands never left the controls during the encounter that he was not being "careless or reckless," and he has also said that he knows his actions were unwise and he's more responsible now, according to the Associated Press. The NTSB judge who heard his appeal -- and watched the unedited video of the notorious 2005 event in his chambers -- was apparently not impressed. Judge William Mullins upheld the FAA order revoking Martz's right to fly after a hearing on Tuesday in Gardena, Calif. Martz had no comment after the proceeding. His certificate has been revoked or suspended several times in the past, for incidents such as landing a helicopter on a Hollywood street to pick up a rock star, flying too low over a residential neighborhood, landing too close to a military base, and flying with damage to his helicopter.