Glider Pilot arrested for airspace

On 1/11/2013 5:35 PM, Ramy wrote:
On Friday, January 11, 2013 4:16:27 PM UTC-8, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 1/11/2013 1:07 PM, son_of_flubber wrote:

This seems to be a perfect cue for glider operations to announce
"First Responder Appreciation Day" at the airport. Free glider
rides, toy gliders for the kids, barbeque, etc..



We need to cultivate good long term non-confrontational
relationships
with first-responders. The good guys will keep the loose cannons
in
check if they understand what the heck we are doing up there in
the
sky without an engine.


I'd prefer to see a big smile on the deputy's face when an irate
farmer calls him/her out to mediate a contentious land out.



I like the way you think. Suppose, instead of just agreeing not
pursue
legal action, the pilot had every local person involved - plant
operators, managers, police officers, sheriff - agree to come out
to the
glider field for a free glider ride as part of the "no legal
action"

deal. And tell them their kids can have a free ride, too!

It may not be too late: extend the offer ASAP to as many of the
people

as can be reached, maybe get the local paper in on it. Possibly,
Bermuda

Soaring could bring the towplane and glider to the airport the
glider

pilot landed at, and give the rides there. That might get even
more

people out.


You kidding, right? If not, I suggest you ask Robin first if this is
what he perceives as reward for putting him in jail.

I think countering ignorance with education is a good idea. They'd learn
glider pilots are real people with no intent to harm, they'd learn
something about the sport and be less fearful of gliders over the
reactor, and possibly, they or someone they know would be interested
enough to take up the sport. Imagine how differently they might look at
glider pilots if a few kids got rides.

If nothing else, the offer might get them thinking they may have
misjudged the situation.

On the other hand, a counterattack, such as by suing, might confirm (at
least in their minds) they did the right thing, and God help the next
pilot that gets them excited.

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