Flying Vet's Flying visit to Dubya's ranch/a psychiatric unit
Life's too short for ironing
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Flying Vet's Flying visit to Dubya's ranch/a psychiatric unit
He just doesn't give up...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7371790.stm
'Flying Vet' held near Bush ranch
A south Wales man who calls himself the "Flying Vet" is being held in a psychiatric unit after landing near President George W Bush's Texan ranch.
Maurice Kirk, 62, from St Donats, Vale of Glamorgan, was arrested after he put his plane down on private land seven miles from the Crawford ranch.
His website claims he wanted to thank Mr Bush for his rescue by the US coastguard after ditching in the sea.
His wife said he was being held in handcuffs and he was "very rattled".
McLennan County chief deputy sheriff Randy Plemons said Mr Kirk would be questioned once he was released from hospital in state capital Austin.
He said Mr Kirk - who was struck off as a vet six years ago - was originally held for being drunk but was then taken straight to the psychiatric unit.
Mr Plemons said the pilot was talking to him about his flying experiences - including landing in shark-infested waters off the Dominican Republic in February - when he was arrested at about 5pm local time on Friday.
Mr Kirk began an attempt to fly solo around the world in 2001.
A former drinking friend of the late actor Oliver Reed, he was expelled by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2002 for "disgraceful" conduct after he chalked up a string of court appearances.
Two months ago the United States Coast Guard praised his decision to take an emergency radio beacon with him when flying past the Dominican Republic as he had to ditch in the Atlantic ocean 75 miles (120 km) out to sea.
The authorities in McLennan County said Mr Kirk's plane remained in the field and would be looked at by experts when the weather improved.
Mr Kirk's wife Kirstie made two postings on his website on Monday, and in the first said her husband was "required to have a psychiatric assessment before secret services (CIA or FBI) question him further".
On the second, she wrote: "He is [very] worried about the little aircraft as he heard bad weather last night and just hopes that it was tied down as he requested".
Referring to the no-fly zone around President Bush's ranch, she wrote: "I understand that he did not fly within the prohibited flight area, and so hope that this difficulty can be resolved quickly, not least because he is due home on 1 May and it's his turn to do the washing-up."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7371790.stm
'Flying Vet' held near Bush ranch
A south Wales man who calls himself the "Flying Vet" is being held in a psychiatric unit after landing near President George W Bush's Texan ranch.
Maurice Kirk, 62, from St Donats, Vale of Glamorgan, was arrested after he put his plane down on private land seven miles from the Crawford ranch.
His website claims he wanted to thank Mr Bush for his rescue by the US coastguard after ditching in the sea.
His wife said he was being held in handcuffs and he was "very rattled".
McLennan County chief deputy sheriff Randy Plemons said Mr Kirk would be questioned once he was released from hospital in state capital Austin.
He said Mr Kirk - who was struck off as a vet six years ago - was originally held for being drunk but was then taken straight to the psychiatric unit.
Mr Plemons said the pilot was talking to him about his flying experiences - including landing in shark-infested waters off the Dominican Republic in February - when he was arrested at about 5pm local time on Friday.
Mr Kirk began an attempt to fly solo around the world in 2001.
A former drinking friend of the late actor Oliver Reed, he was expelled by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2002 for "disgraceful" conduct after he chalked up a string of court appearances.
Two months ago the United States Coast Guard praised his decision to take an emergency radio beacon with him when flying past the Dominican Republic as he had to ditch in the Atlantic ocean 75 miles (120 km) out to sea.
The authorities in McLennan County said Mr Kirk's plane remained in the field and would be looked at by experts when the weather improved.
Mr Kirk's wife Kirstie made two postings on his website on Monday, and in the first said her husband was "required to have a psychiatric assessment before secret services (CIA or FBI) question him further".
On the second, she wrote: "He is [very] worried about the little aircraft as he heard bad weather last night and just hopes that it was tied down as he requested".
Referring to the no-fly zone around President Bush's ranch, she wrote: "I understand that he did not fly within the prohibited flight area, and so hope that this difficulty can be resolved quickly, not least because he is due home on 1 May and it's his turn to do the washing-up."
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Flying Vet's Flying visit to Dubya's ranch/a psychiatric unit
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The man's a complete liability, (Kirk, not GWB on this occassion).
God knows what's between his ears, but there's enough of it to keep the American shrinks going for a millenium, hopefully they'll forget to let him out.
God knows what's between his ears, but there's enough of it to keep the American shrinks going for a millenium, hopefully they'll forget to let him out.
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Multiple accidents, going to visit a head of state unannounced. Could somebody explain why the CAA has not revoked this persons certificate?
Very embarrassing for the GA community.
I hope Mr. Kirk gets the professional help he so obviously needs.
Very embarrassing for the GA community.
I hope Mr. Kirk gets the professional help he so obviously needs.
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Apparently he had his licence revoked for many years by the CAA. However, legal challenges are another of his 'specialities'. He not only calls himself the "Flying Vet" be also promotes himself as a "Special Advisor to the CAA". I suppose they have learned a thing or two from their dealings with them.
He'll either end up never ever being released or he'll end up having lunch and a photograph with Bush in the White House. I can't work out which it will be.
He'll either end up never ever being released or he'll end up having lunch and a photograph with Bush in the White House. I can't work out which it will be.
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Goat face et ea... Lighten up a bit. I mean... Come on, don't you think "hopefully they'll forget to let him out." is a bit harsh?
They guy's a character... I think it's great that in todays grey society, we still have people like this bringing a little dash of color!
No harm done... Good luck Kirk!
They guy's a character... I think it's great that in todays grey society, we still have people like this bringing a little dash of color!
No harm done... Good luck Kirk!
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Grob I'd have to disagree, Maurice KIrk is a liability and an embaressment to the GA comunity in the UK.
All of publicity he generates is negative. How do think he looks to people like the Lady from Swindon who has problems with the jump 'plane?
So all in all I would say he has the potential to cause us all harm.
All of publicity he generates is negative. How do think he looks to people like the Lady from Swindon who has problems with the jump 'plane?
So all in all I would say he has the potential to cause us all harm.
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was arrested after he put his plane down on private land seven miles from the Crawford ranch.
was originally held for being drunk but was then taken straight to the psychiatric unit.
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Pommie,
I don't understand your post, what are you talking about 'jump 'plane' What on you on about??
As for Kirk, well, he is a bit of a rogue, but a likeable one nevertheless.
I hope he is fit and well, and our American cousins are treating him well, and looking after him. The guy is without doubt a character.
All the best Maurice.
The Winco
I don't understand your post, what are you talking about 'jump 'plane' What on you on about??
As for Kirk, well, he is a bit of a rogue, but a likeable one nevertheless.
I hope he is fit and well, and our American cousins are treating him well, and looking after him. The guy is without doubt a character.
All the best Maurice.
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Winco
There is a thread running about a lady who has complained to the daily mail about low flying aircraft at Redlands farm. I believe the major gripe is with the jump plane for the parachute school.
I feel that Kirks antics play right into the hands of antis as he shows scant regard for the rules of the air. So every he time he makes the press it is one more piece of "evidence" of how reckless pilots are.
There is a thread running about a lady who has complained to the daily mail about low flying aircraft at Redlands farm. I believe the major gripe is with the jump plane for the parachute school.
I feel that Kirks antics play right into the hands of antis as he shows scant regard for the rules of the air. So every he time he makes the press it is one more piece of "evidence" of how reckless pilots are.
A Pommie
What has Maurice got to do with a jump plane ?
Get a life !
Maurice has the best 'seat of the pants' in the non TCAS non electronic, world of aviation
Leave the guy alone!
Brightens my ever more regulated day !
Get a life !
Maurice has the best 'seat of the pants' in the non TCAS non electronic, world of aviation
Leave the guy alone!
Brightens my ever more regulated day !
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I think we are missing the point. Mr. Kirk is niether "colourful" nor "eccentric." He is however, not in possession of sufficient good character and judgement to act as PIC.
I would also posit that he isn't entirely mentally healthy.
This individual should not be a polarizing agent. He is not in need of derision or support, he is need of help and protection. (From himself and others.)
I would also posit that he isn't entirely mentally healthy.
This individual should not be a polarizing agent. He is not in need of derision or support, he is need of help and protection. (From himself and others.)
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LJDRVR - I think he's colourfull!
And I think he's in far better "character and judgment" to act as PIC than many of the Sunday club flyers we see taking to the skies. Ok, he's had his fair share of accidents, especially with the Cub incident in Japan and the Dominican, but then he's not doing your average everyday club flying with it. An engine can stop anywhere... If it's over a field it doesn't get noticed... If it's over down town japan, then it's bound to make the news!
I'm not entirely sure what you want to protect him from?
And I think he's in far better "character and judgment" to act as PIC than many of the Sunday club flyers we see taking to the skies. Ok, he's had his fair share of accidents, especially with the Cub incident in Japan and the Dominican, but then he's not doing your average everyday club flying with it. An engine can stop anywhere... If it's over a field it doesn't get noticed... If it's over down town japan, then it's bound to make the news!
I'm not entirely sure what you want to protect him from?
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Great guy
He sounds like a great guy and should be applauded - we need more like him. Since most of the GA community is middle aged/old and dull, it makes a nice change to see someone doing something original.
GA is far less under threat than most if those would make out from this forum. Thre is very little legislation effecting us on a daily basis, we are free to fly pretty much wherever and whenever we want. Yes, a few airfields may close but there has always been far more than is necessary in this modern day and age. Eventually I suspect more airfields will close due to their relative lack of use by asn increasingly ageing GA population.
If we run out of airfields to use, perhaps we should use the North Koreans underground/tunnel runway concept.
I have far more restrictions put on me for driving a two year old sports car that was designed, from scratch, four years ago. Speed cameras, conjestion charges, TAX discs, speed cops, drink driving rules etc etc. Think our selves lucky as we step into our thirty year old gas guzzling planes after a boozy night on a fly in.
GA is far less under threat than most if those would make out from this forum. Thre is very little legislation effecting us on a daily basis, we are free to fly pretty much wherever and whenever we want. Yes, a few airfields may close but there has always been far more than is necessary in this modern day and age. Eventually I suspect more airfields will close due to their relative lack of use by asn increasingly ageing GA population.
If we run out of airfields to use, perhaps we should use the North Koreans underground/tunnel runway concept.
I have far more restrictions put on me for driving a two year old sports car that was designed, from scratch, four years ago. Speed cameras, conjestion charges, TAX discs, speed cops, drink driving rules etc etc. Think our selves lucky as we step into our thirty year old gas guzzling planes after a boozy night on a fly in.
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Originally Posted by lauchiemb
I have far more restrictions put on me for driving a two year old sports car that was designed, from scratch, four years ago. Speed cameras, conjestion charges, TAX discs, speed cops, drink driving rules etc etc. Think our selves lucky as we step into our thirty year old gas guzzling planes after a boozy night on a fly in.
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LJDRVR
Sir,
Your comments are neither accurate or fair, and I would respectfully ask you to remove them. To accuse anyone of a mental health problem is unwarranted and liabelous, but to accuse a qualified pilot of such, beggars belief. I would suggest that it is you who has poor judgement and character.
How dare you make such disgraceful accusations about a fellow Pilot? If you really feel that way, there are proper channels to report it, but publicly accusing someone in the way you have done, on a forum such as this is shameful.
Mods - I hope you act accordingly with LJDRVR, it dosn't show PPrune in a good light to allow him to make such accusations.
The Winco
Sir,
Your comments are neither accurate or fair, and I would respectfully ask you to remove them. To accuse anyone of a mental health problem is unwarranted and liabelous, but to accuse a qualified pilot of such, beggars belief. I would suggest that it is you who has poor judgement and character.
How dare you make such disgraceful accusations about a fellow Pilot? If you really feel that way, there are proper channels to report it, but publicly accusing someone in the way you have done, on a forum such as this is shameful.
Mods - I hope you act accordingly with LJDRVR, it dosn't show PPrune in a good light to allow him to make such accusations.
The Winco
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I think he is great, as mad as a hatter but great. In our day and age of sterile H&S rules, the nanny state and having government try and think for us he is a real character. He may have an authority problem but at least he has the strength of his convictions and the spirit of adventure to fly around the world rather than sitting in club rooms and internet forums pontificating.
