On Sunday, January 13, 2013 11:08:02 AM UTC-8, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 1/13/2013 9:35 AM, GM wrote:

On Sunday, January 13, 2013 10:54:49 AM UTC-5, James Lee wrote:

I am a local lawyer and have discussed this matter with several

other people who were directly involved. As a practical matter, I

strongly doubt a local jury would have awarded damages based on

overzealous protection of a nuclear plant. Also, a local jury might

be persuaded to find him guilty of disturbing the peace, which is a

pretty vaguely written law. He is a foreign citizen, so even a

minor conviction could cause problems if he leaves the country and

tries to return to the US, which has become his home. In that case,

it is not necessarily bad advice to have him give up his right to

sue in exchange for a nolle prosequi. Also, before I started flying

gliders, I had never seen one in the air, and I am well-educated,

observant and interested in aviation. Most people would not know

what it was at all. Nuclear security personnel have presumably been

warned to watch for drone/RC aircraft threats. Also, there is a

blanket TFR as mentioned previously which specifically mentions

circling near nuclear facilities. I know there is an exception for

glider pilots, but only glider pilots or security experts would

know about that. All local law enforcement would know is that some

crazy looking flying machine, which was clearly not a regular

airplane, flew over the nuclear plant and then started circling

nearby. I hate that this happened, especially to Robin, who is a

wonderful person. But I think the best possible outcome - education

of the public and of relevant security officials - is happening on

a much larger scale than I had anticipated, through the interest of

the press.



Glad to see that the 'good ole'boy system' is well and alive! I am an

engineer and if I f'-up in my work and someone suffers damages,

losses or - god forbid - gets hurt, my butt is in the sling! As a

local trigger-happy cop, you can play Rambo all you want (i.e.

commandeering an airport and preparing to shoot down an aircraft,

etc.) and get away with not even a slap on the wrist since the local

system protects you. Is that the message here?? That is disgusting!



As satisfying as retribution might be, James Lee's posting indicates

it's a risky approach. Again, I suggest it's better to make these people

our friends instead of our adversaries, that is why I originally

suggested offering the plant officials and police officers involved free

glider rides, and encourage them to bring their kids or grand kids.



"Good ole' boy system" or not, being part of the "system" by having

these folks understand what we do and the level of threat we present

will prevent a recurrence of this event. It will spread the message of

soaring in a place that obviously needs it, and might even attract a new

member or two as they tell others about the glider rides and how much

they and their kids enjoyed them. The next time a glider is spotted near

the plant, they can turn to the other workers and explain how the pilot

is looking for thermal, instead of calling the cops.



--

Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to

email me)

I wish you stop bringing this suggestion, if nothing else out of respect to Robin. It is pity if he can't sue and win, but will be even more pity if he will be asked to give a free ride to the policeman who arrested him. I wouldn't blame him if he forget to buckle him and proceed to fly inverted...

Ramy