I do recall an airplane encounter with a Laker (LA) a few years back...
Posted on 05/27/2008 6:17:15 AM PDT by RDTF
A Continental Airlines pilot reported being startled by what he described as a rocket that shot past his cockpit window Monday when the plane was about eight miles north of George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force are investigating the incident, which occurred about 10:30 a.m.
"We don't know for sure what the object was. But we think it might be somebody doing model rocketing," said Roland Herwig, an FAA spokesman. "The pilot saw the rocket and some people saw the rocket's trail (of smoke)."
Continental Airlines spokeswoman Kelly Cripe said Monday night that she could not discuss what was seen by the crew of Flight 1544. She would only say that the Boeing 737, with 148 passengers. left Bush at 10:17 a.m. and arrived in Cleveland, Ohio at 2:13 p.m.
She said the pilot made no diversionary maneuvers, and she added the plane was not damaged, and nobody was injured.
The FAA does not yet know how close the object came to the plane or what altitude it reached. "We will determine that by establishing a radar history," Herwig said.
FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap stressed that it is "routine" for the FBI to look into suspicious activity involving an aircraft.
"We don't know if it was a rocket or what. We will interview everyone and determine the validity of what was seen," she said.
If it was model rocket, investigators want to know the type and who launched it.
"Building rockets is a legitimate hobby, but hobbyists have to let the FAA know what they're doing," Herwig said.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
“If yesterday wasn’t Memorial Day I’d be more suspicious.”
Oh I agree, I fully expect more pain and suffering in our country as the Dims strengthen their power base. Still I can’t think of too many things more fun than launching a big rocket.
Its hard to do here in Florida, not very many open spaces you can use for recovery. Had a really nice one and was making first launches with an F motor. Dang thing came down in a tree a LONG ways off.
“Multi-stage Estes Rockets purchased at hobby and toy stores can reach altitudes in excess of 2600 feet. “
Oh I agree and love every single foot of that altitude. I looked it up on some of the rocketry websites.
To clarify, I can’t think of too many things more fun to do on this holiday than launching rockets. Great hobby.
Of course lacking open spaces for proper recovery I went to the beach.
“Of course lacking open spaces for proper recovery I went to the beach.”
You just gave me an idea about trying a rocket motor on a stick to launch a bait rig out over the breakers.
I do recall an airplane encounter with a Laker (LA) a few years back...
let me know if that works. I’ve been trying to work out a salt water proof rocket and not having much luck.
hey drift diver,
where do you dive in Florida?
I thought his name was Roger Murdock.
I've seen enough rockets over the past few years - heh!
Houston PING
Did Roger Waters alert the FAA when they cut loose the "neocon" pig balloon at his recent concert in the Woodlands?
We used to make homemade bottle rockets by taping a balsa wood stick to a rocket engine and igniting it with firecracker fuse.
Need trial and error to find a way to attach a wire leader (so the line doesn’t burn) to the rocket, attached to a 1/2 oz weight/hook/bait. Ideally something that would allow the rig to separate from the leader after it hit the water as I don’t think the burnt motor smell would be very attractive to the fish.
‘where do you dive in Florida?”
In the water........
deepends, the keys or pompano beach for deep, wreck, or drift dives. Off Venice beach to find sharks teeth. Or in the springs for crystal clear easy dives in 72 degree freezing water.
A stinger with a bad seeker unit, couldn’t lock on but had a near miss. Check the local mosque for the rest of the shipment.
The story says the pilot say the smoke trail. That would indicate to me the rocket was still under power. Amateur rockets will easily go this high. 8 miles from the airport is a decent distance and would be adequate for most rockets.
Something doesn’t add up though. We are supposed to believe a commercial jet was at 5000 feet of altitude 8 miles from the runway. The plane had taken off and should have been gaining altitude.
Do any pilots on here know what altitude the jet should have been at?
IMO it seems more likely a govt attempt to squash amateur rockets than anything else. A ground launched missile would have went for the engines and not the cockpit.
“Need trial and error to find a way to attach a wire leader (so the line doesn’t burn) to the rocket, attached to a 1/2 oz weight/hook/bait.”
We also need beer to fuel the testing. The attachment of a wire leader shouldn’t be a problem. Making it separate is harder on a throw away budget. Perhaps water soluble glue? The line will also add a fair amount of drag and instability to the rocket.
Of course the environmentalists will love this product for leaving engine casings on the reefs.
A large rubber band contraption might work as well. They are used to launch some of the UAVs and similiar objects.
The jet would have been talking to departure control and maintaining an assigned altitude like 6,000 feet and a specific speed and direction. A airliner can climb steeply if it wants to but holds off until it’s far from the airport traffic area.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.