Poor John and Martha

[Bob]

Unbelievable!

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/John_Martha_King_Held_At_Gunpoint_203205-1.html

[DaV8or]

Wow! What are the odds that a beaurocratic nightmare gone wrong like this would happen to such famous aviators? Out of all the Cessnas out there that could have randomly shared N numbers with the stolen plane, it ends up being John and Martha King inside. Think they'll make a training video on how to surrender to police?

[Sven]

I love to look up N numbers of the different visitors we have at KSTS. So last night I went on iTunes and bought a program for $3.99. I just used it for the first time looking at the N number of the plane they were flying. It says, Cessna Aircraft Co. and lists it as a 2008 Cessna 172S. The program is called Plane Sight. It took me three seconds to get that info. It wasn't that hard and it could have prevented innocent citizens from having automatic weapons pointed at them and handcuffed. Holy crap people! This is getting out of control. Where did common sense go? We're not all terrorists just because we fly airplanes.

[HopePilot]

"Think they'll make a training video on how to surrender to police?"

Martha:  "John, do you think they pulled us over for speeding?

John:  "Not likely..."

Martha:  "Why's that John?"

John:  "We're in a Cessna!"

[FlyDave]

Quote: Bob

Unbelievable!

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/John_Martha_King_Held_At_Gunpoint_203205-1.html

[MooneyMitch]

“Simply put, this incident is as outrageous as it is inexplicable and raises serious questions about the coordination of information among federal and local authorities,” said Fuller.   Quoted from our AOPA President.

Outrageous, of course it is!  Turns out it was someone famous in our aviation community.  Realistically, it could have just as easily been you or me.  This is a perfect example of the state of over reaction by our govt.   Yes, it is beyond outrageous.

Having to have an FBI background check to get to our private aircraft at our local airports is outrageous as well.  Yet, here it is folks.  What’s even more outrageous is having pedestrian gate codes removed so when we exit the airport, we cannot get back to our airplanes on the ramp, unless some waitperson from a restaurant provides access for us.  After the restaurant is closed, or the FBO is shut for the night, your stuck.  Jump that fence, and you are under arrest, at gun point more than likely!  Pathetic indeed.

Here’s another example of stupidity in full swing.  The fact that we have FBI/background checked photo badges for access to our hangars, these badges are good ONLY at the airport at which the badge was issued.   Land at another airport and your are s**t out of luck. 

No one is doing a thing about this.  Not AOPA, not EAA, not our elected representatives, even though I’m sure many, many of us have written them continually complaining of this situation.  We have fully accepted this loss of freedom. 

So, John and Martha King were held at gunpoint.  It is quite possible that this may be the catalyst to attempt to right some of these outrageous over reactions by our govt.  Write your representatives, write AOPA govt. affairs dept., write EAA govt. affairs dept..  Write your local airport/TSA management…………….speak up and speak out.

If you’re attending AOPA Summit in Long Beach, take the opportunity to express your opinions to Craig Fuller.

Take this opportunity to be heard right now!  Apathy and complacency is not the path to take.

[DaV8or]

Quote: Mitch

Write your representatives, write AOPA govt. affairs dept., write EAA govt. affairs dept..  Write your local airport/TSA management…………….speak up and speak out.

If you’re attending AOPA Summit in Long Beach, take the opportunity to express your opinions to Craig Fuller.

Take this opportunity to be heard right now!  Apathy and complacency is not the path to take.

[MooneyMitch]

Something good usually comes from something bad.  In this case, the Santa Barbara King incident.  "AOPA is reporting that the FAA has removed the N-number from the list of stolen aircraft" and "the National Business Aviation Association is asking government leaders to look at this unfortunate event as an opportunity for industry and government to collaborate on a solution that will prevent similar incidents in the future."

Now, if we could get John and Martha to hop the fence in Santa Barbara after hours to get back to their 172, maybe we could get some action with these stupid individual airport badges!

[DaV8or]

Maybe they will be making a training video. Here's the latest on this.

King's To Train the Police

Here's my little tip to the FAA- If a plane is reported stolen and never recovered, how about not reassigning the N number? There are lots of other numbers out there to work with.

[mooneygirl]

I am going to go see John and Martha at KSEE the Super Safety Seminar on September 11th [fittingly enough!]

 
The Super Safety Seminar will have 11 seminars featuring John & Martha King, JJ Greenway from AOPA and Mike Bush from the Savvy Aviator.  Please look in SPANS event list for the specific announcement for the topic that interests you and register on-line for that seminar to receive WINGS credit.   You need to register separately for each seminar you wish to get Wings credit.
The San Diego 99s will conduct a flying companion seminar for non-pilots that want to know more about what that person is doing in the left seat.
The Gillespie chapter of the EAA and the Gillespie Pilots' Association will be conducting Young Eagle flights from 10:30 for as long as they can for potential pilots who are 8 to 18 years old and have completed an application signed by a parent or guardian.
People flying in for this event should park on the transient ramp and call the telephone number posted there for transportation to the Air & Space Museum facility.
Seminar Schedule (Speakers, topics and times subject to day of event change):
Time
North Hangar
South Hangar
9:00
Real IFR, JJ Greenway, AOPA
Venue Closed
10:00
AOPA Dialog, JJ Greenway, ASF
Aviation Insurance & Accidents, Bill Arnold
11:00
GPS Approaches, Jeff Acord
FAA Enforcement, Jerry Pendzick, FSDO
12:00
SOCAL TRACON, Bill Jacobs
FAA Aeromedical Factors, Roger Story
1:00
John & Martha King on Risk Management
Venue Closed
2:00
Flying into Mexico, Dr. Janet Lapp
Top 10 Ways to Bust a Check Ride, Steve Amoia, DPE
3:00
Owner Maintenance, Mike Bush, Savvy Aviator
Venue Closed
4:00
Drawings for Door Prizes
Venue Closed

[Hank]

Jolie, that looks like a WONDERFUL opportunity! I just wish it wasn't so far away . . .

Any idea how to get the 99s right-seat class on the EAST half of the country? My wife has the book, and did the AOPA class, but it's just not the same as getting in the plane, and I'm smart enough to not try to teach her much myself. I do answer questions and reply to comments, and sometimes explain what I'm doing if she shows interest, but that's all I'm going to try. I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting a class like this, whether it's through the 99s, AOPA, MAPA or even the B/C/P type clubs, it's the training that's important.

[HopePilot]

Deleted.

[smittysrv]

Here's an interview with John King by AOPA:

http://www.funplacestofly.com/blog.asp?ID=269

 

[scottfromiowa]

Sigh...Do you think that the escapades and evasion by the "Barefoot Bandit" exposed and elaborated ad-nauseum by the press resulted in some way in the response?  I TOTALLY agree that the Federal Government (a big crushing wheel rolling down a hill smashing any and all in its wake) messed up.  What else is new?...but if my plane is stolen I am glad that this IS being tracked to ensure recovery. (well maybe not years later) The police DON'T receive training on N-numbers and registration location...but they DO receive ongoing weapons training...for King to say he was 1/4 inch (pull of the trigger) away from death IS an ill-informed and reactionary statement.  The police had no aircraft scenario...so they responded like they would with an automobile...I think the Police response was professional, well trained and executed.  My beef is NOT with the police, but with the Federal Government and the communication/protocols for handling N numbers...Will they use this as a reason for national registration and N numbers?  Probably...But just like gun control bad guys will still have guns and steal planes...

I flew to Racine, WI with family and we departed AFTER 5:00pm.  Thankfully the FBO contact gave me a badge (common sense) and instructions on how to open the gate/where to return the badge...I wonder if he will continue this after someone "forgets"...Sigh...

I had to go to the airport in CID no less than 5 times to accomodate taking a test/watching a video...signing documents...showing my SS card...signing another document...For the love of God JUST FIGURE OUT THE PROCEDURE AND EXECUTE IT!  Don't make me/us jump through hoop after hoop after hoop....Did I mention that I really @#$%ing HATE Bin-Laden?

[DaV8or]

If they are going to insist on this airport lock down nonsense, I think we need to demand a national registration for pilot's access badges. In otherwords, one badge that opens the gates at ALL federally funded airports. The fingerprinting, background check and "training" I received at Oakland, should be valid anywhere in the US.

This stuff is getting out of control. I went through the new body scanner device at the airlines yesterday and got really angry and depressed. The treatment of ordinary citizens trying to travel is now about on the level that the Nazis employed at check points. The terrorists really are winning. We as a people need to stand up and say no to fear. Do we really want jack asses living in caves 15,000 miles away dictate how we live? Do we really believe that all this silly security crap will keep determined terrorists for killing some of us?

[skyking]

Hmm.. Canada is looking more and more like the " land of the free" every day.

I think it is time to remove that from the official US motto!

[Barry]

Russ ... I was speaking to a native Canadian the other day and he said that "political correctness" is killing Canada. He said that it is much worse than the US (I find this hard to believe). Is this true ?

[skyking]

Hi is indeed correct.

We are too polite for our own good....LOL

We may have more freedom and less goverment interference in our life that the US does these days but we are taking the political correctness to new levels.

[Ned Gravel]

Quote: skyking

... We may have more freedom and less goverment interference in our life that the US does these days but we are taking the political correctness to new levels.

[scottfromiowa]

Skyking...Please do NOT insult me with that.  We are rolling downhill toward Big Government and socialism, but we are just taking lessons from our bruders to da nort.

[skyking]

Scott: No insult intended.. Just humor!

And as a good Canadian allow me to apologise if i did insult you......

[smittysrv]

Here's the Police's response to the whole thing:

http://www.funplacestofly.com/blog.asp?ID=280

 

[carusoam]

First, Rodney King. 

Now, Martha and John King.

Who's next Larry King?

 

OK, Rodney may have not been completely innocent. 

 -a-

[scottfromiowa]

Skyking...it is I who should appologize to you.  After reading...and commenting I did a google search using United States vs. Canada which is more socialist?  Canada...in recent years has done a far better job than U.S. in balancing budgets by reducing spending and cutting taxes resulting in a more positive economy and "economic independence" for its citizens.  Health Care...here we come.  Congrats to Canada for tightening the purse strings (at Federal Government level)...I only hope US can "follow" your lead.   And now we return you to your previous Mooney Aviation station

Scott

[skyking]

Scott: We are indeed all in this together. What ever effects your country has a direct impact on Canada also.

We are truly brothers in arms in some cases.