Dear friends on the KRnet,
I am so fed up with all of the media hype on what might happen if someone
turns a private airplane into a bomb. Today's news brought us no additional
relief when NBC showed a "turn and bank by turn and bank" account of a pilot
from PA who decided to break airspace regulations in three major airports.
(Has anyone ever watched cop chases on TV? The chases certainly don't make
the news, and the film footage those crazies have generated must be
astronomical.)
I suggest that we all turn our airplanes over to the government so no one
will be afraid of those of us who fly turning our beloved airplanes into
plane bombs (or is it plain bombs). At the same time we should turn in our
cars, so no one will be afraid of car bombs we might build. We should even
turn in our bodies so no one will be afraid of any of us deciding to become
a suicide bomber. I think I will even turn in my wife's purse. I'm sure
the size of that thing would scare almost anyone out of their wits. We now
know, by virtue of a California Judge's decision that it is far better to
let John Hinckley go unsupervised than to let the general aviation pilot
roam the skies, fulfill his dreams, share the glory of flight with the
others, and come home at the end of the day full of wonderful stories.
Rick Collins
N886 KR
Heath Built "Little Beast"
----- Original Message -----
From: "Les Criscillo" <lcris...@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <even...@cbsnews.com>
Cc: "KR2 Mailing List" <kr...@mylist.net>
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 2:22 PM
Subject: KR>Response to recent General Avaition News Story
I am a general aviation pilot and have just reviewed your story concerning
the security risks at general aviation airports. I have also reviewed the
responses from the AOPA and the EAA, two organizations representing hundreds
of thousands of pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
I feel your reporting represented a significant lack of depth and
balance. While there is a risk with many everyday activities and there are
many that could be put to use by those intending to bring harm to others,
you fail to point out the positive aspects of the activities of pilots and
aviation supports. Private use airports and fly-in communities are no
different than any other subdivision or neighborhood in the United States
that allows a group of like minded to live and congregate together. I agree
with the premise that there is a risk in a single individual taking it upon
himself to create a flying bomb out of a general aviation aircraft. But
there are risks associated with the freedoms we enjoy as pilots in the
United States, and as there are risks with participation in many aspects of
our lives, the likelihood of this use of a general aviation aircraft is very
low. Many risk assessments have been done by our federal government since
9/11, and when prioritizing our needs, they placed this risk at a very low
level.
Your report mentions nothing of the patriotism of the pilots, aviation
enthusiasts, or the residents of these communities. Many are retired
military, retired airline pilots, or people who know and respect the use
general aviation aircraft. Just as you would lock your car, look out your
window, and monitor who drives up and down your street, these residents
watch over their "neighborhood"
As a provider of news and information, you should take it upon
yourselves to provide balanced information to allow your viewers to form an
opinion that is based on their conclusions, not yours.
Les Criscillo
Tampa, FL
lcris...@tampabay.rr.com
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