Cheers!
Posted on 07/02/2011 7:08:30 AM PDT by SandRat
Former state lawmaker Peter Goudinoff set off in his experimental airplane Friday hoping to give his friend a bird's-eye view of the Monument Fire damage near Sierra Vista.
Instead, they received an F-16 escort back to Tucson after he said he apparently flew into Mexican airspace and then returned back into the United States.
The retired University of Arizona professor's Lancair Legacy single-engine airplane was intercepted by the two fighter jets for flying without a flight plan near the Arizona-Mexico border, authorities said.
The F-16s, scrambled from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, escorted Goudinoff's plane to Tucson International Airport, where he was questioned by authorities, according to a news release from the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD.
He and his friend were later released.
Goudinoff served in the Legislature from 1976 to 1996 and taught political science at the UA for more than 30 years.
He retired from teaching in 2002 so he could finish building the plane, he said.
Goudinoff took off from Ryan Airfield, southwest of Tucson, with his friend about 10 a.m.
When he reached the Sierra Vista area, he established communication with Libby Army Airfield at Fort Huachuca after previously talking with personnel at Ryan, he said.
Goudinoff lost contact with personnel at Libby before possibly venturing into Mexico, he said.
"The radar on the ground lost track of me," he said.
Goudinoff said he may have inadvertently flown into Mexico. He said he looked at his handheld GPS, which indicated that the border town of Douglas was 25 miles north of his location, he said.
He turned his plane around and headed north, flying over Mount Graham near Safford, and then San Carlos Lake, he said.
The F-16s intercepted his plane while he was flying over the lake, which is southeast of Globe.
"I didn't know I penetrated Mexican airspace, but I was fearful I had," he said.
Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Aviation Administration interviewed him and his female passenger after they landed at the airport, he said.
Officials questioned them for about an hour and a half before releasing them, Goudinoff said.
Authorities told his friend that they watch for smuggling planes crossing the border, he said.
NORAD works closely with Homeland Security and law enforcement to prevent air attacks, and unwanted or unauthorized air activity.
Goudinoff must now wait for the FAA to decide if it will suspend his pilot's license.
The incident wasn't the only disappointment of the day for Goudinoff.
"We never saw the fire damage," he said.
Fail on two counts. =.=
Political science?? sounds like a Rat infested class.
Now isn’t this funny. The Mexican military escorts drug shipments across the border with Hmvs with 50 cal machine guns, their helicopters cross into out airspace constantly. Yet we’re worried about an experimental plane? Why doesn’t our military interdict the criminal incursions by the Mexis?
Cheers!
Lancair’s are awesome aircraft....
“The radar on the ground lost track of me,” he said.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Schmuck
Guess they didn't see the river, either.
No great harm and was accidental. F the FAA. Another rat infested government bunch of idiots.
What river? This is Arizona. Crossing a river means you’re in California.
As you might guess, he was a (D) State Senator.
Also, relying on a hand held GPS, obviously without a moving map which certainly would have depicted the border is absolutely stupid. His actions reflect badly on all of us AZ pilots.
The FAA should suspend his license for 90 days based on his sheer stupidity.
Is there such a thing as a handheld GPS without a moving map? I know some very old panel mounts don’t have them but I’ve never seen such a handheld. I can’t imagine building a Lancair post-2002 without a panel mounted moving map anyway.
Based on his comment about ATC “losing” him, I’d guess he was getting flight following and assumed he’d get vectors to keep him out of Mexico. Probably never even looked at his handheld until it was too late.
Because they can shoot back?
Regards,
GtG
You are right about that Squantos.
Every year I go to Sun n Fun and gawk at the Lancair’s.
Think I’ll stick with my RV6A for now but I am thinking
of building a Zenith Zenair Ch750 to go low and slow with.
Very neat ride as well ..... My rides have always been USAF aero club Cessna 172’s etc.
What I really would like to have is a Sherpa !
http://www.sherpaaircraft.com/
That might be because the Rio Grande goes north to Albuquerque long before it gets to Arizona.
Nothing but dirt.
I’m wondering if his “splanation” is going to be “Good enuff” to convince the FAA.
(Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) >PS
I believe I saw one at Sun N Funover by the lake behind the Mall area.
Heck of a plane but too large for my needs.
They have a few sizes.... From a big turbine to a smaller super cub clone....
You ever get to see the “flying wild” Alaska bush pilot series ?
Some real skill sets displayed for getting into hunting camps etc...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rw57Ms8hpg&NR=1
I like this carbon cub approach to a sport / recreational plane.
But were I flying cross countries for work or vacation etc... I’d want the lancair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtTR7plG8Qg&feature=related
Think they’d take a three party out of state post dated cheque with no ID ?........:o)
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