Posted on 02/17/2017 7:57:21 AM PST by RummyChick
Harrison Ford didn't sound like a seasoned pilot of more than 20 years when he stammered through radio calls to the tower ... minutes before his screwed up landing on a taxiway.
TMZ has obtained audio of Harrison's convo with air traffic control as he took off from Santa Monica Airport at 11:49 AM on Feb. 13, and he sounds confused. The SMO tower sends him off with his tail number -- "Husky Niner Hotel Uniform" -- and gives him a personal code (squawk) of 0214 ... his identifying code for air traffic control. All good up to that point.
The trouble starts when Harrison radios back saying he's in a helicopter. He stutters a few times trying to correct his mistake and then throws out his tail number. The bigger problem is he's still talking to SMO tower, which had already turned over to another tower. The controller tells Harrison he's on the wrong frequency, and reminds him he should be communicating with the other tower. Our pilot sources say, on their own, these mistakes would be no big deal. But the FAA might be interested in these because of how his landing went roughly 18 minutes later in Orange County.
Ground him, he’s going to kill him self and a whole host of innocent people.
For starters, I guarantee he was required to pee in a cup at John Wayne after the mishap, upon further review I would bet they PULLED his Ticket for 30 days ON THE SPOT.
His Flying Days are OVER
Yikes. This is as dangerous as when Mom insists she can still drive on the freeway. Age is cruel. They need to take his license.
He was pictured checking out a helicopter on Sunday.
So yes, sounds confused.
He was piloting a jet this week.
Nope. He was pictured in a jet this week.
Apparently Dementia is setting in. Very sad, the man is an internationally beloved star, and curtailing him from flying and driving is going to be very hard for his wife and loved ones. Even harder then with others because of the whole rich and famous thing.
If the FAA have grounded him pending medical evaluation for Orange County, and then if he gets grounded, remember that if you have dementia you won’t remember or care, and if left alone he can get to his planes and fly anyway. Or try to. Or drive. It’s going to be a whole different life for him. I feel for all of them.
Alzheimer’s?
He may even have had a stroke.
If that is not the case, the only other explanation is that he may be having "aging" issues, in which case his flying days may indeed be over.
Best wishes to one of the rare Hollywood normal and admired actors.
Harry probably needs grounding or a copilot. Maybe he can invest in a high dollar simulator. It happens to every pilot. He’s become a danger to others.
It appears that what they call "early dementia" may be setting in.
Ford will be 75 next birthday. His net worth is approx $200 million.
What is he still trying to prove? He should take his $$$s to Las Vegas and take his chancy chances there instead of flying directly over the homes of his area's populace.
Leni
He can afford an instructor pilot every time he goes up.
Really??? I need to call my Instructor who is the FAA Examiner around here to find out for sure.
He has a copilot in the jet. If his wife can’t get him to stop this may be her solution.
I doubt she will be able to get him to stop..especially if dementia is setting in..
illegal drugs
There is NO SUCH THING as a “Legal” drug while piloting an aircraft, regardless of prescription or not, they are all ILLEGAL WHILE FLYING!!!
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