Pathetic CBS journalism on GA airport security

Kevin McCue wrote:
Note below does not work. It will bounce. The "insidescoop
address is good.


"Ron Lee" wrote in message
...

Thanks for the heads up. It is amazing that what should be a
reputable news organization resorts to uninformed trashing of GA
airport security.

Ron Lee


----- Original Message -----
From: Kevin McCue
To: ; ;

Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 7:52 PM
Subject: GA terror


Dear CBS News staff,

If you wish to provide editorial comment it should be stated as such.
Your "Eye on America" piece tonight hit a few facts then proceeded to spin
quite a yarn.
The mere fact that the terrorist have not used GA aircraft for terrorist
acts is proof that even they are smart enough to realize the very limited
usefulness of them for this purpose.
A quick physics lesson. Force equal mass times velocity.

While I agree with your point, the physics lesson has some problems. Force
is mass times acceleration ( mass x vel. is momentum). And for the
purposes of estimating destructive capability the most relevant quantity is
generally energy, i.e. the sum of the kinetic energy of the plane and the
energy released by the cargo (bomb and/or fuel). This will still be much
greater for a loaded truck than for a small GA plane.

The average SUV
grosses at over 8000 lbs and is capable of over 100 mph with a cargo of at
least 2000 lbs. The average 16 year old can operate it and there are
millions on the road.
The average GA plane grosses around 2000lbs and flies just over 100 mph
with a useable payload (after pilot and fuel) of about 500lbs. Less than 1%
of the US can fly it and there are a few thousand not locked up or at
controlled airfields.
Test questions. Which would you use to cause maximum destruction?
How do you twist the truth to cause the most panic through
sensationalist drivel?