Posted on 10/15/2006 6:29:31 AM PDT by radar101
Yahoo!/AP ran a "headline," if that's what it could be called, the day after Lidle's tragic plane crash. It read, paraphrased, "How Could A Plane Fly Over New York?"
Well, I live here, and planes fly over here all the time. Jets, privates, whatever.
But to someone who doesn't know this, the implication was, of course, ineptitude in "homeland security," or something. It was very irresponsible for a "news" organ to ask such a question or make such an implication.
More evidence, as if you needed any, that the playground bully really wears lace underwear.
Why were there no restrictions before this?
Because the private pilots are mostly people in the top 1% in income and assets, and often have their own businesses. They are politically active and know the right people.
Perhaps, but there are thousands of other "Grunts" that fly their own airplanes ever day on their lunch money and have no political connections.
That's why I say 'mostly'.
But the airplane that Lidle was flying cost $270K new. Even he had to buy a used one. So it is not unreasonable to suspect that there are a fair number of private pilots who could get their calls returned by their Congresscritter.
Utter steaming BS! You clearly do not know of what you speak.
The average single engine land aircraft costs less than an average bass boat. The vast majority of folks who fly private aircraft are not rich. Yes, some are, and yes some do own their own businesses, but why is that of concern to you? Got a little wealth envy going on there?
If security is your main concern, consider that literally thousands of trucks enter every city in this nation daily unchecked. These trucks are capable of carrying TONS of explosives and have been used for this purpose, worldwide, many many times in recent years. Also consider that the typical single engine land aircraft has a payload of roughly 500 lbs, including the weight of the pilot. Which do you honestly think is the greater threat?
That's a mighty broad brush stroke you just swiped. Hope you can back it up inside that asbestos suit you're wearing (You are wearing it aren't you?).
What's the point of this? Is ATC going to warn "Roger, November-one-two-three-four, be advised, building at ten-o-clock, two miles."?
No, because if you have your own business, you are much more likely to know how things work outside the protected world of the large corporation. They are much more likely to need to have political influence to survive than an employee, however high the salary. They are also more likely to be adventuresome, which may lead them to take up flying as well.
Last time I checked, the background check and licensing requirements for becoming a pilot were a lot more stringent than the there are for renting a RYDER TRUCK....
You simply are not describing the average Private Pilot. I have been a licensed pilot for almost 30 years and my congress critter ignores me just like yours ignores you.
Clearly, you have a whole lot to learn about aviation and a whole, whole lot to learn about exercising freedom.....
And what is your explanation as to why this new ban doesn't affect helicopters?
Means you have to have a transponder
how many private helicopters are there? most are associated with licensed businesses, flying regular patterns.
these regulations are badly needed to stop "joyriding", and in fact should be more restrictive, like the ones around washington DC.
How does this new rule lessen the likelihood of running into tall buildings?
What it amounts to is Bureaucratic CYA
Thus my question about "What's the point?".
Why is private "joyriding" something that needs to be stopped at all?
This unfortunate accident was only newsworthy at all because they are so rare.
There are scores of deadly automobile accidents every single day. Do we need a federal crackdown there as well?
it doesn't need to be "stopped", it simply needs to be restricted in the 1% of the airspace around large cities.
and yes, go try and drive your car past the white house or the Capitol - what happens? there are plenty of security restrictions regarding where trucks can go, underground garages in many buildings have been closed to the general public, etc.
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