Kim was no.1 on the screw up list. But I don't want to bash the dead. He certainly did the best he could.
After that obviously the government ran around claiming they were doing this and that, while the real work was done by civilians.
The government did what it could, but it wasn't enough. The civilians who found the cell phone clues, and took it on themselves to search in their personal helicopters were motivated by the stories they saw in the media. Bashing the media is not only barking up the wrong tree, it's bashing on one of the key elements that saved the family.
When the media spews leftist propaganda, bash away, but in this case they did far more to help than hurt.
As a pilot, I'm not buying for one minute that there were "too many" civilian aircraft in the area for the military to fly. Some agency likely had a Washington policy that they would not fly without exclusive access to the area, but the idiotic policy is at fault, not the media. This wasn't some training exercise, people were dying out there, and the more lookers the better. This wasn't some small piece of airspace, it was a whole county or two, there was no need for exclusive military access.
Hello all,
Have been watching this thread and think some need to take a deep breath and actually read the posting.
First, narby and Criminal#18F, think you have had the most sane replies of all. Thank you so much!
Second, think some of the remainder are taken in by the melodrama/ hyperbolae of the Post. I have no love of the MSM, but really have to take apart how they "parse" a story.
Third, again this is an incomplete story. The particulars of the TFR are no longer on the web, might get them when I get back to work.
Ok, my background. Thirty years experience in SAR/CAP, aviation (pilot), Air Traffic Control (controller and automation) and Aeronautics (engineering major).
I can't place blame directly, even with those credentials!!! Some information is still lacking.
The Post "implies" that private pilots violated the TFR forcing SAR helicopters to abandon the search. Let's read the timeline more carefully.
"Unfortunately for James, aviation authorities acquiesced to media requests to relax restrictions and allowed low-altitude media flights in the area while the aerial search was still underway. This untimely and irrational decision caused many rescue helicopters to abandon their operations for one full afternoon due to dangerous conditions created by media airplanes. It took personal pleas to Washington to get restrictions reinstated. The search, not media interest, should be the top priority. "
There was a TFR, then there wasn't. Private aircraft were allowed to re-enter the airspace.
The pilots on this thread know that in Part 91 of the FAA regulations there are many rules about who has "right of way" in the sky. Also, the "pilot in command" has the ultimate responsibility for separation with other aircraft. (there are even rules about a blimp having right of way vs. powered aircraft and closer to mountain vs. further out, etc, etc.)
In other words, the pilot in command flies the aircraft, maintaing separation from terrain and other aircraft. Observers observe!
OK, on to the next bit,
The CAP (Civil Air Patrol) was NOT invited to the search! They are the primary SAR for downed aircraft. While they primarily fly fixed wing aircraft (not suitable in canyons), they could have covered much more terrain and put more "eyes in the sky". (search CAPblog)
Before you start randomly blasting SAR orginasations, just remember they also have people that sacrifice their lives in attempt rescue those of the stupid ones.
My last non-commercial flight was with CAP on a practice SAR mission. They want closer cooperation with FAA in order to avoid some of these fiascos.
You should also check out the Helicopter Associtaion International (search HAI), they also have some info about how "private" helicopter found the rest of the Kim family.
Ok, I've pretty much had my say. We don't know the full story from the WAPO (what else is new?).
Be Nice!! No reason to demand an apology when you don't know all the facts.
Rohn
BTW, did survival traing. My car has flares, shovel, batteries, quilts, knives, extra clothing, jumper cables, etc. When the media announced that OJ Simpson had some of those items, I thought for a moment I might be guilty :)!!!