Glider Pilot arrested for airspace

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)