It has been one week now that VFR flight has been a no-no in the land of freedom. Why? Because a few were able to strike fear in the hearts of the many. And while I find it heart-warming to see Americans rallying around one another, helping out, going to blood banks {note to self: why didn’t we do this before} I also find it chilling that the world of General Aviation has just been allowed to crumble. Friends who own flight schools or other related business are dying on the vine with no government meeting to see what they need. All of this why? Oh, for no reason other than we are afraid and afraid irrationally. We have been successfully terrorized. And every day GA is grounded is another day they’ve won. Period. Why not “ground” all the busses and all the trains? Why not “ground” the cars - after all there have been far more car bombs in this world than Cessna bombs. I fear that in the whirlwind of nationalism we may be blinded to the fact that we are not flying and we should be. It was not a VFR private operator that did this. It is unrealistic to fear that one would. Is it possible? Yes. But a Ryder Van can be just as deadly if not more. Terrorism thrives on extremes - and as much as I’d like to think my 260SE or your SR20 is something special - the reality is a 767 is a far better choice for these lunatics.
I’ve e-mailed anyone I can think of in the D.O.T, I encourage you to do so. I want a simple question answered? Why would you ground VFR? The amorphous answer of national interest is not good enough people. You don’t answer terrorism by being terrorized into doing irrational things. I mean, the truth is it would make more “sense” to ground any plane larger than at ATR for the rest of history because the odds are it’s the Heavy Metal that is going to be the target. We have not been a threat, there is no evidence to think we would be (these men had private licenses for years - but waited for bigger fish) and yet we pay the price. And only ignorance is allowing it to continue.
Ummm… That 767 and -57 were VFR with no trans/code.If the feds think we should ban VFR for now so be it.These guys were vfr and can vfr’it again in anything.The feds are looking out for our safety right now and our families.If you have your IFR go file.If not your outa luck.Right now they are finding anymore possible terr-pilots that can do this and until they are satisied they got a lock on it then I bet we will see more sunny VFR. Victory it’s not but Security. -j
Dean,
Agree with the sentimtent completely. People who are willing to martyr themselves in order to inflict damage to our country will find a way to accomplish their goal. Planes, trains, automobiles, buses, trucks, etc. Everywhere you look now, you see a potential weapon.
There are very few more checks and balances in the IFR system than there are in the VFR system. Anybody who took the type of training that these animals did could file an IFR flight plan whether or not they had an instrument rating.
The next phase (which should have been implemented already) is to allow VFR flights with a transponder, flight plan, and VFR flight following. How is that any different than an IFR flight?
The government is making a mistake in focusing exclusively on the aviation industry IMHO. If anything, these SOBs have shown us how clever and creative they can be. They had to know that they would be traced to the flight schools and that the US would check out every pilot one by one.
We can never protect this country by looking in the rear view mirror. Terrorists will adopt new methods and it is imperative that we stay one step ahead. We have seen heightened securtiy in many places which is good but as of today the ONLY form of transportation that is restricted is VFR flying. Any bozo can rent a U-Haul truck or charter a Part 135 Biz Jet but we simply can’t have US citizens flying their own planes.
It has been one week now that VFR flight has been a no-no in the land of freedom. Why? Because a few were able to strike fear in the hearts of the many. And while I find it heart-warming to see Americans rallying around one another, helping out, going to blood banks {note to self: why didn’t we do this before} I also find it chilling that the world of General Aviation has just been allowed to crumble. Friends who own flight schools or other related business are dying on the vine with no government meeting to see what they need. All of this why? Oh, for no reason other than we are afraid and afraid irrationally. We have been successfully terrorized. And every day GA is grounded is another day they’ve won. Period. Why not “ground” all the busses and all the trains? Why not “ground” the cars - after all there have been far more car bombs in this world than Cessna bombs. I fear that in the whirlwind of nationalism we may be blinded to the fact that we are not flying and we should be. It was not a VFR private operator that did this. It is unrealistic to fear that one would. Is it possible? Yes. But a Ryder Van can be just as deadly if not more. Terrorism thrives on extremes - and as much as I’d like to think my 260SE or your SR20 is something special - the reality is a 767 is a far better choice for these lunatics.
I’ve e-mailed anyone I can think of in the D.O.T, I encourage you to do so. I want a simple question answered? Why would you ground VFR? The amorphous answer of national interest is not good enough people. You don’t answer terrorism by being terrorized into doing irrational things. I mean, the truth is it would make more “sense” to ground any plane larger than at ATR for the rest of history because the odds are it’s the Heavy Metal that is going to be the target. We have not been a threat, there is no evidence to think we would be (these men had private licenses for years - but waited for bigger fish) and yet we pay the price. And only ignorance is allowing it to continue.
Besides AOPA who can I e-mail?
myers
I meant Were IFR up until the killers took over. -j
Ummm… That 767 and -57 were VFR with no trans/code.If the feds think we should ban VFR for now so be it.These guys were vfr and can vfr’it again in anything.
I believe that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever read in my life.
The ban on VFR is not to hinder terrorist. It is so that the FAA and ATC can implement different procedure for keeping track of aircraft. They just don’t want to have to keep track of inexperienced pilots while they work on tracking and seperating the proffesional pilots who fly for a living. I have been flying VFR in a non Radar non Radio environment all week and it is all totally legal. Squawk code from center and all. This ban is just an extension of what was already in place in Class B. If they didn’t want you in there you couldn’t go in. Before they were just being nice to let you in. Just a knee jerk reaction that is completely justified by last weeks actions. If you want to fly go IFR or get an Instructor to go IFR with you and request a block of airspace and practice stalls, steep turns and what everelse you were going to do before.
I meant Were IFR up until the killers took over. -j
The ban on VFR is not to hinder terrorist. It is so that the FAA and ATC can implement different procedure for keeping track of aircraft. They just don’t want to have to keep track of inexperienced pilots while they work on tracking and seperating the proffesional pilots who fly for a living. I have been flying VFR in a non Radar non Radio environment all week and it is all totally legal. Squawk code from center and all. This ban is just an extension of what was already in place in Class B. If they didn’t want you in there you couldn’t go in. Before they were just being nice to let you in. Just a knee jerk reaction that is completely justified by last weeks actions.
I beg to differ, but the FAA was very clear that all VFR of any kind has been not been allowed most of this week. I find it hard to believe you’ve been doing as you say
Moreover, nothing about what happened last week justifies this. That is an error of logic. Planes were not lost, they were hijacked. The enroute centers knew exactly what was happening. VFR and IFR flights allow the same access for any would be extremists. While 90% of GA doesn’t fly, its your friends at the FBO’s who are going to pay.
The ban on VFR is not to hinder terrorist. It is so that the FAA and ATC can implement different procedure for keeping track of aircraft. They just don’t want to have to keep track of inexperienced pilots while they work on tracking and seperating the proffesional pilots who fly for a living. I have been flying VFR in a non Radar non Radio environment all week and it is all totally legal. Squawk code from center and all. This ban is just an extension of what was already in place in Class B. If they didn’t want you in there you couldn’t go in. Before they were just being nice to let you in. Just a knee jerk reaction that is completely justified by last weeks actions.
I beg to differ, but the FAA was very clear that all VFR of any kind has been not been allowed most of this week. I find it hard to believe you’ve been doing as you say
Moreover, nothing about what happened last week justifies this. That is an error of logic. Planes were not lost, they were hijacked. The enroute centers knew exactly what was happening. VFR and IFR flights allow the same access for any would be extremists. While 90% of GA doesn’t fly, its your friends at the FBO’s who are going to pay.
Agree with Dean.
I thought I had found a loop-hole in the notam as it states part 91 VFR flight is forbiden in controlled airspace. Controlled airspace begins 1200’ AGL above our 2500’ grass strip. I called flight service about this, (I really think they are as confused about all this as anybody), and they said not to try it. Radar coverage begins about 1800’ AGL. I have been a good citizen to date but admit I can’t see the merit in the rules.
I can file IFR out of our 2500 ft grass strip using a void time clearance and file to the same strip using alternates but its not worth the hassle for a sight-seeing trip. If things don’t change soon I may have to add to the ATC & flight service workload to do same.
myers
The AOPA does not recommend that you email the members of Congress as they do not reply. With all the email viruses today, it is doubtful that they would even open your email. Here is what the AOPA recommends in general along with links to the House and Senate. Write your memebers a letter, they nearly always reply.
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/citguide.htmlContacting Your Elected Representatives
http://www.house.govHouse of Representatives
http://www.senate.govSenate
It has been one week now that VFR flight has been a no-no in the land of freedom. Why? Because a few were able to strike fear in the hearts of the many. And while I find it heart-warming to see Americans rallying around one another, helping out, going to blood banks {note to self: why didn’t we do this before} I also find it chilling that the world of General Aviation has just been allowed to crumble. Friends who own flight schools or other related business are dying on the vine with no government meeting to see what they need. All of this why? Oh, for no reason other than we are afraid and afraid irrationally. We have been successfully terrorized. And every day GA is grounded is another day they’ve won. Period. Why not “ground” all the busses and all the trains? Why not “ground” the cars - after all there have been far more car bombs in this world than Cessna bombs. I fear that in the whirlwind of nationalism we may be blinded to the fact that we are not flying and we should be. It was not a VFR private operator that did this. It is unrealistic to fear that one would. Is it possible? Yes. But a Ryder Van can be just as deadly if not more. Terrorism thrives on extremes - and as much as I’d like to think my 260SE or your SR20 is something special - the reality is a 767 is a far better choice for these lunatics.
I’ve e-mailed anyone I can think of in the D.O.T, I encourage you to do so. I want a simple question answered? Why would you ground VFR? The amorphous answer of national interest is not good enough people. You don’t answer terrorism by being terrorized into doing irrational things. I mean, the truth is it would make more “sense” to ground any plane larger than at ATR for the rest of history because the odds are it’s the Heavy Metal that is going to be the target. We have not been a threat, there is no evidence to think we would be (these men had private licenses for years - but waited for bigger fish) and yet we pay the price. And only ignorance is allowing it to continue.
Besides AOPA who can I e-mail?
myers
Concerning all the talk about bailing out the airlines, the thousands of fix base operators have and will be hurt probably more. I went by my local FBO today and there was one car in the parking lot and yes they were open, three guesses as to who the car belongs to (the owner). Flight schools and flight instructors are in the same boat. All of the above are not exactly high profit enterprises.
While not as high in profile, if you happen to be one of these its just as important as the airlines.
myers
Never thought about the e-mail virus fact. I’ve been e-mailing the D.O.T, but will now fax letters to the suggested, as well as Secretary Mineta.
Hope 186CD is in the air…
Dean
Hope 186CD is in the air…
Dean
Nope, finished my IFR written last month and had 2 weeks to go (less than 10 hours) till I could take the instrument check ride. Kind of ironic to think that if I’d taken one of those accelerated IFR courses (like the ones they offer in Florida for example) that I would somehow be less of a security risk today.
Yes - absolutely 100%. These are small business people who have devoted their lives to GA - they’ve trained us all to fly - and now they are being shutdown for no logical reason whatsoever. They are victims of bad PR - silly visions of 172’s dive-bombing in packs. I hope the folks who’ve spent years making your local FBO into something appealing don’t have to spend a year getting themselves out of hock - again FOR NO REASON.
FREE FLIGHT - Jim, your title seems suddenly ironic to me.
Dean
Yes - absolutely 100%. These are small business people who have devoted their lives to GA - they’ve trained us all to fly - and now they are being shutdown for no logical reason whatsoever. They are victims of bad PR - silly visions of 172’s dive-bombing in packs. I hope the folks who’ve spent years making your local FBO into something appealing don’t have to spend a year getting themselves out of hock - again FOR NO REASON.
FREE FLIGHT - Jim, your title seems suddenly ironic to me.
Dean
Just heard a gov. rep. on TV suggest we use the aviation trust fund to bail out the airlines. “There is twelve billion dollars there”
myers