TSA at their finest - good thing it wasn't a "bear hand grenade."

(Written on 09/09/2017)(Permalink)

Nothing to see here folks - just acquiring some targeting data for our friends in North Korea.

(Written on 13/08/2017)(Permalink)

I agree. The angle of the camera to the plane and the power of the telephoto lens compresses the distances. The ball was pictured between the jet and the camera, but nowhere near the plane. Since the camera angle was upward the ball was superimposed on the image of the plane, but closer to the guy who threw it than to the plane. All that said, the government should have someone on the beach serving as a lifeguard or security guard, considering the concentration of people, all of whom may not use common sense.

(Written on 28/07/2017)(Permalink)

Geez, do you commenters really think it's reasonable to "shoot" anything at a drone? Whether the bullets are shot upward or downward at the drone they WILL come down somewhere, potentially on someone. What's more dangerous, a drone flying around or a 20mm slug from a full-sized aircraft landing somewhere on the earth? An aircraft striking a drone isn't any more hazardous than striking a goose or other big bird (and how often does that happen). The only safe and sane method for countering drones is shown at this link: https://youtu.be/ouLnKZHr4Ms Take care, and don't let those pesky drones sneak up on your Cessna.

(Written on 28/07/2017)(Permalink)

Many times large commercial aircraft have sucked birds (as well as other debris) into engines, most of the time losing the use of the engine. A single bird strike (or drone ingestion) might disable ONE engine, but the chances of it downing the entire aircraft are virtually nonexistent. A whole flock would be a serious hazard, but one bird/drone..., seriously?

(Written on 27/05/2017)(Permalink)

The whole "temporary flight restriction" process over Presidential travel (same problem with ground transport) is gross over reaction. My heart goes out to all the air travelers and locals when the previous Pres. went to Hawaii. With all the protection our President gets, this process gets worse with each successive administration and is just over the top already!

(Written on 25/02/2017)(Permalink)

Reminds me of an old quote (paraphrased), "We've come a long way in airline safety in America. What we need now is a better class of passenger." Just need to make sure we post these passengers at the over-wing exits!

(Written on 18/02/2017)(Permalink)

Gee, Wilbur, that's the first time THAT's ever happened (NOT)! As the feds get bigger, so does the largess, even to the point of having to make up reasons (excuses) for passing taxpayer money out to cronies and relatives. Geez, I'm starting to sound like Trump now.

(Written on 10/12/2016)(Permalink)

Sort of reminds me of a line from the movie, "Men in Black" - [to candidates rejected as MIB agents] "Zed: 'Gentlemen, congratulations. You're everything we've come to expect from years of government training'."

(Written on 28/05/2016)(Permalink)

Excuse me for disagreeing with you, Geoff, but if a pilot is suicidal how is a marginally trained government goon wearing a blue shirt going to determine that? That kind of screening for a pilot should (and pretty much does) happen in a doctor's office. If a pilot fails the annual flight physical - which includes drug and alcohol screening - he's an Uber driver.

(Written on 28/05/2016)(Permalink)