Posted on 02/04/2006 2:19:50 PM PST by stm
WACO, Texas — Two fighter jets forced a small plane to land after the pilot flew too close to President Bush's ranch in central Texas while he was spending the weekend there
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Yup, and he got a pink slip (flight violation) for it. I am guessing that's what's going to happen here as well. Most "weekend pilots" that fly VFR don't really know exactly where they are at any given moment in the flight, making it easy to stray into restricted airspace. I never flew a VFR-only equipped aircraft without a TPC (or VFR sectional) chart on my kneeboard. Ever. Where I live there are so many restricted airspaces and MOA's (Military Operating Areas) it's easy to get violated if you're not careful. When I was flying military aircraft, we were instrumented out the a$$ so it was never a problem
How many weekend pilots do you know even look at NOTAM's before going flying? Some I know don't even really know how to read them. Nothing against civilian-trained casual pilots, but many times their level of training and spatial awareness is pretty marginal
Oh I know, I've been there, it's a pretty town. But the "We Ain't Comin' Out" and "What A Cook-Out" jokes will always be there regardless.
That time sounds about right. I ran outside and looked up and saw one of them. I didn't see the offending plane, but the fighter was low over our neighborhood. Everytime I see one of them I'm in awe of their speed and power. Bet that private pilot wet his pants!
I am taking Flight Lessons in the area. The NOTAMS are very specific when GW is Home. The air traffic controllers are very specific and will direct your flight correction away from P-49......He was just stupid,stupid stupid.
The possibility of fighters overtaking my little Piper scares me to double check the NOTAMS. Keeps that pucker factor down to a minimum.
My favorite is when the FA-18's buzz the football games at Qualcom stadium - just a few miles from where I live. What really makes me mad is they make a horrible noise - but by the time you dash outdoors to see them fly over - they are nowhere in sight! LOL!!
I second yor motion. Only stuff I own first class has Snapon written om it.
So, do the press still make a bee line for D Street when they hit town?
Ping.
And "snap on" isn't cheap:')
I wouldn't know. Is that where the Strip Clubs used to be? They are now mostly at Ft. Hood and Elms, but there may be a few others I haven't come across just yet. One at that intersection just opened before Christmas, and there are at least 4 others at or near that intersection. (That is south of highway 190, Ft. Hood is AKA highway 195).
Really?
I bust that law almost every time I fly, several times a week..
I busted it this evening, as a matter of fact, watching the sunset.
And so did the guys I was flying with... Damn! I better watch for the black helicopters!
Poohey. Write what you know.
Yes, that's the problem! I'd like to take a good look at them, but they're too fast. I heard this one coming last night and got outside fast enough to see it for a split second. We don't have air traffic around here so I looked like the lady that fell off the turnip truck trying to catch a glimpse of it.
I live on the north side of Killeen, near the impact area. The fighters fly over going to patrol over the ranch. If memory serves me the plane in question was out of New Braunfels.
The Air traffic Controllers out of Gray Airfield are VERY good at directing aircraft away from the no-fly zone. I am taking flight lesson out of Gatesville and the controllers always make sure I know which way to NOT to go.....and I am REALLY grateful..
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