Runway incursions

This weekend as the FAA was at the FBO giving a seminar on runway
incursions and explaining how the number of runway incursions per
million GA operations increases while the number of operations
declines, we had two of them.

Coincidental to the seminar, the B-17 Sentimental Journey stopped
overnight in front of the FBO for weather and minor maintenance (I
love my job!) The airplane was visible from the Interstate so it
drew a lot of attention. With an FAA rep upstairs, one spectator ran
out onto the active taxiway to take a picture causing the tower to
blow a siren. Moments later, his daughter nearly did it again.
Ultimately, some of us at the FBO began to usher people around the
airplane, explain the boundaries and try to interface with the public
a little while keeping things safe. One guy let his kids lift himself
up by the two tailguns to get a better look in the airplane. And, by
the way, it doesn't matter if you're a pilot. At home, you probably
don't let your kids play under a truck that's up on jacks and wooden
blocks. Why would you do it under a 35,000 lb bomber?

Somebody else taxied a C-172 at about 10 mph through the ~ 70' space
between the bomber's wingtip and the building, over a live extension
cord running from the bomber to the building, with people working or
wandering around. Dumbass. Taxiing quickly or making a 270-degree
pivot at 2300 rpm doesn't make you look cool, and you don't like it
when somebody showers you or your airplane with dust and gravel, so,
knock it off.

Lastly, an experimental roared right up to the bomber and the
gathering of people waving at him to stop, until it was too late for
him to turn around, but he tried anyway and sent a gust of propwash
along the flight line, toward the FBO and the B-17. He then promptly
darted back onto the active taxiway to swing into transient parking. A
moment later tower, who had presumably seen it all, called and said
"Have that pilot call us when he comes into your office."

I spent most of the day just absorbing the sight and activity of the
B-17 and crew, and at one moment I realized the FAA safety rep was
standing next to me. "You can tell it's August," he said. We
discussed the need to reduce runway incursions before TSA steps in and
starts locking down gates or requiring further regulation. It behooves
us.

Pilots: Read the AF/D and runway diagrams before you arrive so you're
not taxiing all over the place looking for published information. Slow
down when you see unusual things such as giant, gleaming, spectacular
airplanes in the transient area, or crowds of people. Lead by example.

Instructors, FBOs: Teach this stuff. Safety and etiquette. If you see
random people showing up, remember that feeling you get when you see
your favorite airplane at your local airport. An off-duty instructor
saying "Here, I'll walk you around and see how close we can get" is a
great opportunity to promote GA and fuel interest in flying. It's an
opportunity for you to teach safety, by example, to aviation
enthusiasts, reporters, etc.

Fly safe. Thanks, everybody!

Chris
CFI, KTTD