Good, clean fun...
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 ...
Self-important bureaucrat.
That having been said, any amateur model rocketer that indulges in their hobby near an airport, with planes flying overhead, is an idiot. MEthinks that there's more to this than meets the eye.
Was reported yesterday that the plane was 11 miles east not 8 miles north, hmm.
Good, clean fun...
If they have stated it was probably a rocket then people saw this close up. Maybe even got pics?
If you are going to be shooting rockets that go into controlled airspace, you’ve got to make a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen).
Most hobbiest rockets shouldn’t be a factor to begin with, as they don’t go that high, but you can get a license to launch the bigger stuff.
“...reported being startled by what he described as a rocket...”
Startled, yeah, I bet!
From “The Hunt for Red October”
Minisub captain: “Hey, I think somebody’s shooting at us!”
USS Dallas skipper: “No shit, Sherlock!”
I have a friend whose son is a former Gulf War Super Hornet driver and now flies for Continental. I can only imagine if the pilot was a former combat pilot (and many are) how they would have reacted to this. Could’ve been a fun ride.
SAM! Break left!
(looking for controls to start dumping flares)
‘That having been said, any amateur model rocketer that indulges in their hobby near an airport, with planes flying overhead, is an idiot. MEthinks that there’s more to this than meets the eye. “
He wasn’t ‘near’ an airport, at least if you consider 8 miles sufficient distance. Seems the plane was flying really low though. Most commercial jets are over 5000 feet within a couple miles let alone 8 miles.
I believe you are supposed to notify the FAA if your rocket goes over 3000 feet or so. Regardless of your distance from the airport.
C'mon, he's tall but he shouldn't be bothering airliners!
bttt
bttt to you too.
i was wrong its not 3000 feet, its 1200 feet. Anything over that and you are required by law to seek a waiver. Of course since this happened more than 5 miles from the airport this particular airport probably wasn’t notified if a waiver was obtained.
“The fact that they are even using the word “rocket” is unusual. I would have expected space junk...meteorite...birds etc. Have they “r/o” Terrorism yet?”
The fact they are using rocket tells me its an amateur rocket. Everyone knows that terrorist rockets are wiring problems in fuel tanks or other mechanical problems.
My good friend Robert and I were shooting some rockets this weekend, no where NEAR Houston and we never got one much above 500-700 feet. Loads of fun, and the recovery process got us out walking on a great day, as the rockets tended to land some 1/4 to 1/2 mile down range.
If yesterday wasn’t Memorial Day I’d be more suspicious.
Multi-stage Estes Rockets purchased at hobby and toy stores can reach altitudes in excess of 2600 feet.
The biggest challenge around here is finding an open place where you can launch one higher than 500’ and have it land without getting caught in trees or power lines.
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