Flying in the face of the law - pilot bikers land fines
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Flying in the face of the law - pilot bikers land fines
Flying in the face of the law - pilot bikers land fines
By Steve Butcher, Sydney Morning Herald
October 10, 2005
Conditions were perfect for flying when the Virgin Blue pilots Patrick Devlin and Michael Stewart prepared for take-off in Melbourne at 8.25pm on January 18.
The weather was fine, visibility was good, the runway dry and traffic medium.
But rather than leaving the ground, Captain Devlin, 30, and Captain Stewart, 32, roared east on to Queens Road, St Kilda, on their 1000cc Suzuki motorcycles. A Melbourne Court was told that when they took off, so did senior constables Shane Barmby and Mark Rowe in their marked V8 police car.
Senior Constable Rowe said he accelerated to 160kmh to catch up to the bikers and then maintained an even distance over about 300 metres.
He told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday he had checked the bikes' speed at 140kmh in a 70kmh zone before activating the car's lights and sirens.
Senior Constable Barmby said he then saw Devlin remove his hands from the bike and hold his arms out as all vehicles slowed down before Chapel Street.
Devlin, of Kensington, said in evidence he accepted he was speeding, but "not in excess of 100kmh", and that he had been adjusting his jacket as he slowed.
Giving evidence, Stewart, of West Melbourne, said he "proceeded through" the speed limit to about 95kmh in third gear; then rolled off the throttle and idled.
Both men pleaded not guilty to charges of exceeding the speed limit, driving at a speed dangerous, driving in a manner dangerous and careless driving. Devlin also denied failing to have full control of a vehicle.
Magistrate Lionel Winton-Smith dismissed all charges except the offences of exceeding the speed limit and careless driving.
Devlin and Stewart were each convicted and fined $500 and had their licences suspended for one month.
By Steve Butcher, Sydney Morning Herald
October 10, 2005
Conditions were perfect for flying when the Virgin Blue pilots Patrick Devlin and Michael Stewart prepared for take-off in Melbourne at 8.25pm on January 18.
The weather was fine, visibility was good, the runway dry and traffic medium.
But rather than leaving the ground, Captain Devlin, 30, and Captain Stewart, 32, roared east on to Queens Road, St Kilda, on their 1000cc Suzuki motorcycles. A Melbourne Court was told that when they took off, so did senior constables Shane Barmby and Mark Rowe in their marked V8 police car.
Senior Constable Rowe said he accelerated to 160kmh to catch up to the bikers and then maintained an even distance over about 300 metres.
He told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday he had checked the bikes' speed at 140kmh in a 70kmh zone before activating the car's lights and sirens.
Senior Constable Barmby said he then saw Devlin remove his hands from the bike and hold his arms out as all vehicles slowed down before Chapel Street.
Devlin, of Kensington, said in evidence he accepted he was speeding, but "not in excess of 100kmh", and that he had been adjusting his jacket as he slowed.
Giving evidence, Stewart, of West Melbourne, said he "proceeded through" the speed limit to about 95kmh in third gear; then rolled off the throttle and idled.
Both men pleaded not guilty to charges of exceeding the speed limit, driving at a speed dangerous, driving in a manner dangerous and careless driving. Devlin also denied failing to have full control of a vehicle.
Magistrate Lionel Winton-Smith dismissed all charges except the offences of exceeding the speed limit and careless driving.
Devlin and Stewart were each convicted and fined $500 and had their licences suspended for one month.
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Virgin Passengers Beware! Why would you fly this airline if they employ fools like this.
Who would fly with guys that clearly couldn't give a rats @rse about others lives like this.
Think about it, a car swerves to avoid one of these clowns, loses control and hits another car / truck / building etc. PEOPLE DIE.
A wise man once said to me "you want to learn about your pilots - watch the way they drive". Very good advice.
You cannot tell me that these guys ride like this and then leave it behind in the air.
Branson - sack these idiots. They are smearing the good name of the rest of your pilots for cheap thrills.
Who would fly with guys that clearly couldn't give a rats @rse about others lives like this.
Think about it, a car swerves to avoid one of these clowns, loses control and hits another car / truck / building etc. PEOPLE DIE.
A wise man once said to me "you want to learn about your pilots - watch the way they drive". Very good advice.
You cannot tell me that these guys ride like this and then leave it behind in the air.
Branson - sack these idiots. They are smearing the good name of the rest of your pilots for cheap thrills.
Branson - a name not associated with risk taking.
Lets publish the name of every pilot caught speeding, parking dangerously, jaywalking. Make it part of the licence renewal medical quiz.
Must be a slow news day.
Lets publish the name of every pilot caught speeding, parking dangerously, jaywalking. Make it part of the licence renewal medical quiz.
Must be a slow news day.
...especially when the article includes "Magistrate Lionel Winton-Smith dismissed all charges except the offences of exceeding the speed limit and careless driving" which may be correct, but whats "exceeding the limit", is it the alleged 140, or the claimed 95? Sounds like mallicious court reporting to me....
Balance, its always impressive to see people like you fly off the handle and jump to conlusions when presented with little or no facts..
Balance, its always impressive to see people like you fly off the handle and jump to conlusions when presented with little or no facts..
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Some balance,Balance
Not condoning any of the actions reported above, but Balance, did you know that QF has a lage motorcycling fraternity, who also enjoy a little fun at times.
Among the ranks are a few very senior pilots.
Once again, a pissweak media focussing on a minority.
Bet if it was a couple of carsoles in their hotted up V8/riceburner/whatever, it wouldn't even rate a mention as it's so common.....
FREE BOUGAINVILLE!!
Among the ranks are a few very senior pilots.
Once again, a pissweak media focussing on a minority.
Bet if it was a couple of carsoles in their hotted up V8/riceburner/whatever, it wouldn't even rate a mention as it's so common.....FREE BOUGAINVILLE!!
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Balance, they got convicted of speeding. Nothing more. It happens everyday all over Australia to average Mums and Dads caught by a police dept motivated by an obligation to their respective State Governments to raise revenue.
Well done boys. 140 on a 1000cc? Taking it easy eh?
Well done boys. 140 on a 1000cc? Taking it easy eh?
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Must have been a very slow news day... I can't see how being a pilot makes it any more newsworthy, are you for real balance?... 
Last edited by NAMPS; 10th Oct 2005 at 03:44.
Mr.Buzzy's Love Affair Continues!
Quote Buzzy From Another Thread " The VB chap mentioned is perhaps one of the best operators in the game, the fact that he has achieved what he has at his age and has stayed so balanced is testament to this. I can't comment on the Raffy but I'd say that a mate of Capt.D would have to be AOK"
Mr Buzzy seems besotted by a handsome, young Captain Delvin.
Why don't you tell him your feelings Buzzy? He may be more understanding than you think, he resides in the pink Melbourne suburb of Kensington.
Mr Buzzy seems besotted by a handsome, young Captain Delvin.
Why don't you tell him your feelings Buzzy? He may be more understanding than you think, he resides in the pink Melbourne suburb of Kensington.
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Hang on. These fellas were doing TWICE the speed limit. 140 in a 70 zone. And you people not only seem to think it is acceptable, but somehow justified?
This is not just your typical 10 to 20, or even 30 kmh over the limit. 140 in a 70 zone? Fark me.
Jesus. Woe betide not only aviation in Oz but our roads as well if you people are somehow going to attempt to justify this. It sort of explains some of the carnage out there on our roads....
This is not just your typical 10 to 20, or even 30 kmh over the limit. 140 in a 70 zone? Fark me.
Jesus. Woe betide not only aviation in Oz but our roads as well if you people are somehow going to attempt to justify this. It sort of explains some of the carnage out there on our roads....
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Wish I could post the little cartoon that accompanied the article, but the caption will have to do.
Went something like "This is your captain speaking. Look no hands!"
TL
Went something like "This is your captain speaking. Look no hands!"
TL
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Nice idea Gnadburger.
Seems you have plenty of time to search quotes and behave like a jealous bitch, perhaps you are the one that needs to find a lover!
bbbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Seems you have plenty of time to search quotes and behave like a jealous bitch, perhaps you are the one that needs to find a lover!
bbbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Balance (or lack of.....)
Where was it proven that anyone did twice the posted speed limit? The accusation from the Senior Connies was not proven according to the court report, and a penalty of 1 month's suspension is more in keeping with exceeding the limit by 25kph, IIRC.
And since any normal thinking pilot would see your diatribe against Those who Transgress as a narrow minded lot of b@lls, I am happy to post in my real name, and admit to a lifetime of absolute fun, driving as fast as I can whenever the conditions permit, and whenever I can get away with it 
Where was it proven that anyone did twice the posted speed limit? The accusation from the Senior Connies was not proven according to the court report, and a penalty of 1 month's suspension is more in keeping with exceeding the limit by 25kph, IIRC.
And since any normal thinking pilot would see your diatribe against Those who Transgress as a narrow minded lot of b@lls, I am happy to post in my real name, and admit to a lifetime of absolute fun, driving as fast as I can whenever the conditions permit, and whenever I can get away with it
Love your work John...let me know when your going to head up for some barrel rolls in the Jetranger
Balance...http://www.wiggles.com.au try this website if you are bored in the future...
Balance...http://www.wiggles.com.au try this website if you are bored in the future...
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funny thing with bikes, at higher speeds, no hands riding is quite easy, and safe, higher speed = more stability, and at speed you turn with your body weight, not the handlebars. or even turn the Other way, to go left, you turn the front wheel a tad to the right and lean into the left.... and vice versa..
on a bike its very easy to double the speed limit just overtaking or passing a dangerous driver. from cruising at 70 kph, kicking it back a gear, cranking on throttle, looking back to see where the traffic is, in that timeframe, you will easily exceed 120 Kph or 140... its not uncommon on the open highway to start passing 2 or 3 cars at 100 kph, and by the time you pull back in you will be at 170 or higher.. especially on a big capacity sports bike
on the safety side, if Every road user rode a bike for just 1 day!!! the roads will be a much safer place..... being an ex pro driver, the nuber of people in cars simply not paying attention is unbelievable... i have seen countless accidents where people have ploughed full speed into the back of parked cars they should have seen minutes ago.......
on a bike, you cannot afford to not pay attention... 99% of car drivers simply dont look for bikes! if the rider felt safe in doing said speeds then im sure the road was safe to do so..... somone doing the same in a car would be much more dangerous.... as they might not be paying full attention to what they are doing...
on a bike its very easy to double the speed limit just overtaking or passing a dangerous driver. from cruising at 70 kph, kicking it back a gear, cranking on throttle, looking back to see where the traffic is, in that timeframe, you will easily exceed 120 Kph or 140... its not uncommon on the open highway to start passing 2 or 3 cars at 100 kph, and by the time you pull back in you will be at 170 or higher.. especially on a big capacity sports bike
on the safety side, if Every road user rode a bike for just 1 day!!! the roads will be a much safer place..... being an ex pro driver, the nuber of people in cars simply not paying attention is unbelievable... i have seen countless accidents where people have ploughed full speed into the back of parked cars they should have seen minutes ago.......
on a bike, you cannot afford to not pay attention... 99% of car drivers simply dont look for bikes! if the rider felt safe in doing said speeds then im sure the road was safe to do so..... somone doing the same in a car would be much more dangerous.... as they might not be paying full attention to what they are doing...