Deadly Cessna 150
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Canada
Deadly Cessna 150
Well, I guess most of us are aware of the panic that ensued yesterday, when a light aircraft was reported inbound for restricted airspace over Washnigton D.C.
As yes, the mighty Cessna: well known as preferred weapon of terrorists, and patently capable of dealing a massive blow (well, a modest skid mark, but let's not split hairs) to the Capitol Building or the White House.
And they have jeopardized the President's safety before!
Watch for further visa requirements and airspace restrictions.
P.S. I don't know, but it seems to me that the pilot's reported problems operating a fuel pump are hardly evidence of navigational incompetence, or criminal intent, or anything.
As yes, the mighty Cessna: well known as preferred weapon of terrorists, and patently capable of dealing a massive blow (well, a modest skid mark, but let's not split hairs) to the Capitol Building or the White House.
And they have jeopardized the President's safety before!Watch for further visa requirements and airspace restrictions.
P.S. I don't know, but it seems to me that the pilot's reported problems operating a fuel pump are hardly evidence of navigational incompetence, or criminal intent, or anything.
Old and cynical!
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: UK, Mexico & Cuba sometimes
No journo seems to have suggested that the pilot should have chosen 18,500ft as his transition altitude to remain clear!
Seems the yanks should be colouring restricted airspace red or using laser lights around the perimeter of it to help avoid incursions
Seems the yanks should be colouring restricted airspace red or using laser lights around the perimeter of it to help avoid incursions
Peoples' Champion!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: UK
VisaGeeza,
Truth is sometime stranger than fiction mate! SEE HERE!!!
BH
. . .using laser lights around the perimeter of it to help avoid incursions
BH
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 123
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From: USA
Whilst I agree that a Cessna 150 is not a great weapon this stunt has done real harm to general aviation in the USA. The aircraft took off from S37 (Smoketown) on route to an airshow. The Washington ADIZ is in the way of a direct routing. It is on all the charts, it is massive and difficult to miss particularly in a slow airplane like a 150. Duats and AOPA as well as others will work out a route for you without infringing the largest TFR in the USA.
There really is no excuse for this bad airmanship. Navigation around the ADIZ or a VFR flightplan through it and contact with ATC would have avoided this mishap. Flight through this airspace is really easy, you get vectored around the place. All you have to do is fly the headings they give you.
As it is the pilot will lose his licence for a long time and many would say deservedly so. General aviation will again lose credibility and we will have to deal with uninformed criticism and further restrictions and overview none of which we need or deserve through the actions of a couple of careless pilots.
I think the actual or perceived risk is irrelevant. It is a no fly zone without a flight plan so stay out if you don't have one. A bad day for GA.
Chopperpilot 47
There really is no excuse for this bad airmanship. Navigation around the ADIZ or a VFR flightplan through it and contact with ATC would have avoided this mishap. Flight through this airspace is really easy, you get vectored around the place. All you have to do is fly the headings they give you.
As it is the pilot will lose his licence for a long time and many would say deservedly so. General aviation will again lose credibility and we will have to deal with uninformed criticism and further restrictions and overview none of which we need or deserve through the actions of a couple of careless pilots.
I think the actual or perceived risk is irrelevant. It is a no fly zone without a flight plan so stay out if you don't have one. A bad day for GA.
Chopperpilot 47
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 223
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From: Toronto, Ont, Canada
LondonJ,
chopperpilot47 summarized the situation quite well.
"I think you're being a little harsh on him, everyone makes mistakes. "
1) They were flying with outdated charts
2) As cp47 said, it's the largest and most publicized TFR/ADIZ in the U.S. These two guys were truly "oblivious"
3)In fixed wing we don't have the luxury of stopping and working out where we are.
- A pilot can always orbit in place while they work out their position
- ATC is available almost everywhere in the U.S. for assistance
"Yes it was a stupid error but we're only human."
On a scale of 1-10 this was 100 on the stupid scale.
Mike
chopperpilot47 summarized the situation quite well.
"I think you're being a little harsh on him, everyone makes mistakes. "
1) They were flying with outdated charts
2) As cp47 said, it's the largest and most publicized TFR/ADIZ in the U.S. These two guys were truly "oblivious"
3)In fixed wing we don't have the luxury of stopping and working out where we are.
- A pilot can always orbit in place while they work out their position
- ATC is available almost everywhere in the U.S. for assistance
"Yes it was a stupid error but we're only human."
On a scale of 1-10 this was 100 on the stupid scale.
Mike
Old and cynical!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 100
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From: UK, Mexico & Cuba sometimes
B.H. - The other cliche which comes to mind is "many a true word spoken in jest! Whatever next?
Just as an aside, the pilot probably never even took the time to call WX800BRIEF otherwise he would have been advised/reminded of the restricted area.
Just as an aside, the pilot probably never even took the time to call WX800BRIEF otherwise he would have been advised/reminded of the restricted area.
Joined: Sep 2001
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 2,787
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From: Toronto
Pilot Froze at Controls
Washington Post article -- registration may be required
Read up on those Intercept Procedures
Hayden "Jim" Sheaffer, 69, froze when he saw a Black Hawk helicopter appear near his right wing while flying toward the White House and had difficulty operating his small, single-engine aircraft, officials said yesterday. It took the valiant effort of Sheaffer's student-pilot companion, Troy D. Martin, who had only 30 logged hours of flight time, to take over the controls and land the plane at an airport in Frederick, officials said.
The FAA plans to take the most extreme action against a pilot since new airspace rules were put in place in 2003 and will revoke Sheaffer's pilot certificate, according to aviation officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the order had not been finalized. The FAA does not plan to take similar action against Martin, 36, because he is a student pilot and does not have a pilot certificate, sources said.
The FAA plans to take the most extreme action against a pilot since new airspace rules were put in place in 2003 and will revoke Sheaffer's pilot certificate, according to aviation officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the order had not been finalized. The FAA does not plan to take similar action against Martin, 36, because he is a student pilot and does not have a pilot certificate, sources said.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 123
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From: USA
LondonJ
Perhaps I am being a litle harsh. After all the ADIZ is only 2,000 square miles. Easy to fly into something so small. The pilot apparently did not feel the need to check the weather, flight briefing, notams or have a current chart, or talk to anyone. He also didn't know anything about interception procedures but apart from that he had a great flight until he was arrested!
Am I still too harsh?
Chopperpilot 47
Perhaps I am being a litle harsh. After all the ADIZ is only 2,000 square miles. Easy to fly into something so small. The pilot apparently did not feel the need to check the weather, flight briefing, notams or have a current chart, or talk to anyone. He also didn't know anything about interception procedures but apart from that he had a great flight until he was arrested!
Am I still too harsh?
Chopperpilot 47
