Chicago's NATO Summit "TFR/no-fly zone"

[John Pleisse]

Quote: fantom

Amen to that, Nick!

There are much more critical issues both for our nation and for GA than this one!

 

[MooneyMitch]

 

This does indeed affect general aviation.  I have to say that with my experience, most people do not know what general aviation is.  We know what it is, but the public on a whole does not.  For the sake of discussion, let's just say that the public knows that airplanes fly through the air.  Whether that plane is a general aviation aircraft or not is irrelevant to them.   What they do know is that airplanes tragically flew into the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, causing major destruction and death.

I suggest that the public feels safer now because of airport passenger screening and other TSA edicts will prevent an airliner from flying into another building, so that is no longer a concern [this is another debatable topic]!  Of course, our military aircraft would not commit such a heinous act.

That leaves anything else that flies, which is what we pilots know as general aviation.

So, my point is, with this type of sensationalized headline, the public may feel confident that our government will "shoot to kill" any airplane, and that that plane will not be a military or jet airliner. That leaves the "small airplane" in their mind.....a general aviation airplane. There is the danger.

Not only does this type of outrageous headline plant fear in the minds of the public, it also helps those that continue their attempt at controlling general aviation with TSA requirements by using that fear.

All our negative ga issues are important, I fully agree.  Public perception is also of strong importance and part of the mix. 

 

 

[MooneyMitch]

Here is another example of how this kind of sensationalism affects us as general aviation operators.  Take a look at the photo, it's a dead hit for GA!!

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/12254446-418/feds-to-impose-no-fly-zone-for-small-planes-during-nato-summit.html

[John Pleisse]

Could you imagine if political protestors, in the streets of Chicago during the summit, were the subject of shoot-to-kill orders?????........Good Lord, our constitution would be in tatters.

[jetdriven]

Remember, all these rules were passed just after 9/11, in a mass hysteria of security and military fervor.

Where was the outrage then?  All I remember is "Chevy - Keep America Rollling" Zero %  ads on TV.

[DaV8or]

Quote: Mitch

Here is another example of how this kind of sensationalism affects us as general aviation operators.  Take a look at the photo, it's a dead hit for GA!!

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/12254446-418/feds-to-impose-no-fly-zone-for-small-planes-during-nato-summit.html

[DaV8or]

Quote: jetdriven

Remember, all these rules were passed just after 9/11, in a mass hysteria of security and military fervor.

Where was the outrage then?  All I remember is "Chevy - Keep America Rollling" Zero %  ads on TV.

[John Pleisse]

Quote: jetdriven

Remember, all these rules were passed just after 9/11, in a mass hysteria of security and military fervor.

Where was the outrage then?  All I remember is "Chevy - Keep America Rollling" Zero %  ads on TV.