responsible journalism
 

Well spotted, Ian! And as some of us know, 'formation photo' is an Archant executive. In the immortal words of 'Flight International's Uncle Roger, WTHIHH? (What The Hell Is Happening Here? for those who weren't devotees of FI's 'Straight-and-Level' column in its heyday.)

Many years ago, the T.V. spy series entitled "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." devoted an episode to the idea of using a model aircraft for delivering explosives and other noxious substances to sensitive places. So who needs an airport? Who needs a man carrying aircraft? Electronics are incredibly more sophisticated now than they were when The Man from U.N.C.L.E was made so all you need is model making skills, and a suitable explosives carrier can be made in your garage or basement. No problem to a determined terrorist! Also, will you get a primary radar return from a model?

Food for thought!

Now this is getting veeeeeeeeery interesting..........

Having done some air to ground pictures this thread caught my eye. Reading the article it is indeed interesting to wonder how they came so close as 750ft to sizewell and how they measured it, having dealt with low flying complaints in a previous life I am only to aware how inaccurate guesimates of heights and speeds are. At 750ft one would have thought that a fixed wing a/c might have been seen and reported by someone at Sizewell, particularly in view of 'todays' concerns.
And another thought, from 2,000ft a 35mm camera and a 200m lens you can almost fill the frame with a decent size building, thats before you 'selectively' crop the image in the darkroom, or more probably PC. Journo's eh? tsk tsk!:cool:

PS I've just realised i've done some freelance work for Archant too! It must be a conspirrysea!
(edited to admit having 'previous' with Archant) :eek:

Ian S
No-one in paricular in mind to work out the link but well done.

I thought the general principle with internal whistle blowing is that the whistle blower is afforded a degree of anonymity. Aerohack - in drawing attention to my identity you reduce the chance that I will continue to draw attention to things which I believe to be wrong whilst hiding behind your own anonymity. Shame.

My comments on this site remain my private comments and not those of my employer - my original post on this is a clear demonstration that this is the case.

I have no 'internal' knowledge of the details of this story but remain concerned about stories in the media which damage the reputation of the activity which I am so immersed in and to which I dedicate so much of my time.

No agenda other than that implied in the previous paragraph.

Is this an embarrasment for PILOT magazine?. Some might suggest that it can't help its reputation. I am in a difficult position to do anything other than draw attention to the facts I have spotted from public sources. Ian Seager, as publisher of one of the competing titles also points to the facts and allows others to take a view. Responsible Publisher!

IF the reported facts in the newspaper story are true I would still like to know the identity of the pilot and the organisation from whom the aircraft was hired. Thedre are two issues here. Firstly irresponsible scare mongering journalism (my personal view). Secondly (if the 750 ft is true) an organisation or individual in our industry has carried out an illegal act and in so doing has contributed to damaging the reputation of our activity. This is the long term might also have a damaging impact on their own business.

Interesting. Your name, phone number, what and where you fly from are splashed all over this thread Info- click here You also state in your profile this Media executive so i think the anominity thing you are on about goes right out of the window there don't you. One could cynicly suggest that you are doing it for free advertising for your company whether it be a local newspaper or well read magazine, and whats to say you are not behind this story as the journo is pretty clued into what he shoudl know. Insider information perhaps. You also say in this thread Click here the following just happens to be one of yours too eh. Jeez, you have some front. You being the executive of the company behind the mag and all. Is there anything else you want a free plug for while we are here.......... :rolleyes:

responsible journalism
 

formationfoto: If you're so keen on whistle-blowing, it's a pity you didn't take more interest in some of the things that when on within your own orgainsation after it got its hands on 'Pilot'. Haven't you ever wondered why you lost so many long-serving staff and key contributors a few months ago? Never mind about responsible journalism, what about responsible management? And since I've 'outed' you, I'm happy for you and all to know that I am one of those who 'voted with his feet' -- Pilot's' former deputy editor.

Mike
I'm sorry about my sensitivity but my post is critical of the hand that feeds and whilst I chose not to hide behing a veil of anonymity nor did I want to draw any more attention to my relationship with the parties in this tale of embarrassment by association. As for the other issues you mention you know that this is not the place...

EKKL
I may be mad, a fool, and a total axxehole but pretty odd behaviour to create publicity in such a negative way. I wish you luck in trying to prove that I am in some way involved in this apparent contravension of the ANO and attempt to bring disrepute to the general aviation sector - you will be wasting your time. As for previous mentions of my association with the parent of PILOT I am damned if I mention it and damned if I don't so I guess I just have to learn to live with it. If this had been one of the other magazines and I had mentioned it in the same way I would no doubt be accused of being critical of the other mag!. What I am strugging with is accepting the criticism of free plugs etc. in relation to the provision of free air to air photography. I am one of a team who, as previously mentioned, provide a free service. None of the people who have taken up this service have felt taken advantage of nor that we were in some way exploiting them.

Obviously I am unhappy about the posts which suggest some sort of hidden agenda here partly because I think they are unfair (but my reputation appears to be beyond saving) but also because this obscures the real point which is that (irrespective of the publisher) we should be aware of media coverage which misrepresents our activity or seeks to generate additional restriction. Putting journalists right when they are wrong is something we should all do. Helping journalists create a scaremongering story is something none of us should do (particularly if it involves breaking the law to create the story). Of course it is easier to fight 'internal' battles rather than deal with the real enemy.

So let me admit to devouring small children, ripping the heads of fluffy bunnies, damaging the steering on the car in which Diana died, and being the primary mover in devil worshipping circles. Now that is out in the open we can start to concentrate on real issues which might impact the freedom we all enjoy in the private pilot community.

"So let me admit to devouring small children, ripping the heads of fluffy bunnies, damaging the steering on the car in which Diana died, and being the primary mover in devil worshipping circles."

FF - not too concerned about the kids, rabbits or demon-****, but I feel that I have to tell you that you've not been invited back for supper since I found out about you tampering with the steering of that car in Paris!

Seriously though - when I first saw this post, I wondered whether any good would come of it or whether Archant and its attendant employees would receive a flaming, I guess I wasn't too far from the mark.

Yours,

Stik

I had noticed the lack of a follow up invite - thought it was because I didn't bring suitable attendant! - but obviously concerned about villification by association.
Actually nearly 700 views and 30 posts with only 3 choosing to flame, the pain is worth it if the topic has been given a broader stage.
I wish I was sensible and intelligent like the majority of posters but we cant all be perfect.

Perhaps it is time that all the journos campaign for their own forum where back-biting and second-guessing will be positively encouraged!

FF, you will be invited back - have no fear! Just need to ensure that we have enough peanut smugglers on duty that day!

Stik

What, like the Pilot magazine forums... ;)

I seem to recall seeing crash footage of a phantom jet being flown at full thrust along a set of rails into the side of a nuclear reactor concrete containment wall. The plane just disintegrated into dust! :eek: :eek: The only things to survive the impact where the edges of the wings that stuck out past the width of the concrete wall. It was amazing to watch. (Keep your eye out on the Bravo channel and such like on Sky as I think it was on there I saw it). Anyway, dont think a Cessna and 7kg of semtex would be much to worry about!!!

As for flying over powerstations, I regularly fly an R22 over Heysham near Morecambe at 2000 feet on my way to the Lake District. But since I haven't got a mode C transponder whose to know what height I'm really at?

Even still, I wouldn't expect to see a pair of Harriers turning up just to check everytime I went that way.

The ATCO's do a good job of reminding pilots of the no-go areas. e.g. this week, there is a new temporary no-go zone centred on the middle of Blackpool prom whilst the Labour party Conference is in town....

:rolleyes:

Labour Party Conference
 

Hmmmm....... what's the point ??? who'd waste a perfectly good aeroplane on that lot ???

Personally I think a forum for the public washing of dirty linen, personal attacks, conspiracy theory, and constant sniping would be a hit!.

ff it's called JetBlast :D :D :D

Sizewell
 

Would 'formationfoto' care to tell us whuch East Anglian newspaper published the story, and whether he is a director of the parent comany?

I'm sorry, but as a lifetime journalist I like the full story.

James Gilbert
ex-PILOT magazi

What an IDIOT of a reporter!

Why do they do this? Just as aviation as a whole is getting back together after sept. 11, these idiots go and pull a stunt like this.

Absolutely damn stupid. Totally agree that the CAA should prosecute whomever flew into the restricted area, (if in fact, they did) and that the CAA should, as as already been said, write a strongly worded letter to the Evening Star.

Did the pilot of the aircraft know that he was taking part in this article or was he told something like it was a photoshoot or something? If he did know what he was doing, then the license should be taken away for good.

(rant over now!)

I have to agree with LowNSlow, JetBlast is full of drivel at the moment and needs spicing up. How about some contentious issues, ravings and general vitriol.

Who cares what your favourite songs are...