Landout Laws

The pilots weren't tresspassing. They were survivors of an emergency
landing.

"Charles Petersen" wrote in message
...
We had two landouts at Seminole yesterday, both in the same field, - a
pasture with cattle and a locked gate. One of the pilots visited a nearby
farmhouse, and spoke with the wife of the property owner asking permission
to enter and a key. She was very nice and called her son. He agreed to
call back on the pilots cell phone. The Sheriff was also called and did
not
call back. An hour later, with both trailers at the gate, we called the
Sheriff again and advised that we intended to cut a link in the chain, and
replace it with a padlock when we left, and mail the key to the owner.
This
would leave his field secure, and there was no damage. The Sheriff's
office
made it clear they were not giving permission, and the retrieve crew made
it
clear they were not asking for permission, merely advising the Sheriff of
their intentions, citing the approaching sunset and $220,000 of aircraft
in
a field with cattle. A bolt cutter gave entry, and we commenced
derigging,
leaving our most charming crew member at the gate. Both the son of the
owner and the Sheriff arrived. The son was extremely upset, insisting
that
charges be laid. The Sheriff, seemingly somewhat reluctantly,
fingerprinted
both pilots and wrote up a proposal for charges, which he said would be
presented to the public attorney to decide whether to proceed. Nothing
further has been heard, and we hope / believe nothing further will be
heard.

My question is: - what is the law governing a landout on private property?
What are the rights of the pilot and of the property owner? Where are
these
rights codified? The Sheriff said if we had done the same thing after he
arrived, he would not have laid charges. He did not charge the retrieve
crew with breaking and entering or trespassing. What about the crew
situation?

BTW, all concerned did act as 'ambassadors of the sport', but the son was
implacable.

I have soared cross country since the 1950's and because of low skill level
have landed in about 200 fields. I only had serious trouble once- with hired
horse farm manager. Problem was solved when Nancy arrived carrying our 1 1/2
year old daughter with a dripping diaper. "O what the Hell get out of here".

Be very nice. Say sir a lot. If offered a drink of water, accept and comment
on how great the water tastes. Helps to comment how much you appreciate the
food or fiber that the 2 percent the who work the land provide to the rest of
us.

Do everything possible to reduce damage
to crops.


Bill Snead
6W

And then there was the local gal that landed out at Schurz, NV. A pick-up
roared up and offered her a ride to town. As she was about to get in, she
noticed the two indians were butt naked and declined the offer.

And then there was this guy that landed out in one of the nats at Uvalde, TX.
He tried to talk to a bunch of farm workers, but they all ran away, because
airplanes that landed there usually had something to do with drugs. The tow
plane arrived too late for a safe flight back, so he tied the glider down and
left in the tow plane.

Next morning he was met by no less than 30 Texas Rangers with weapons drawn.
"Don't know 'bout that accent, son? Where you come from? Where's the drugs?
JJ Sinclair