This is the first account of this theft by the plane's owners. While very disturbing it is a sign of the times unfortunately. Again, I say from experience that locks don't work and to physically disable a plane is a preferred deterrent. With that being said, a plane "jacking" is pretty difficult to guard against. Those of us that fly into remote areas and in to Mexico are more willing to accept the dangers that are present and to take whatever actions are prudent to minimize these dangers. For those pilots that accept no risk in flying, they should stick to r/c planes. Learn from other's mistakes and enjoy the short time we have allotted to us.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdat ... 20958.html

FloatFlyer wrote:This is the first account of this theft by the plane's owners. While very disturbing it is a sign of the times unfortunately. Again, I say from experience that locks don't work and to physically disable a plane is a preferred deterrent. With that being said, a plane "jacking" is pretty difficult to guard against. Those of us that fly into remote areas and in to Mexico are more willing to accept the dangers that are present and to take whatever actions are prudent to minimize these dangers. For those pilots that accept no risk in flying, they should stick to r/c planes. Learn from other's mistakes and enjoy the short time we have allotted to us.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdat ... 20958.html

This was a bad deal for sure, but I'm not sure what you are trying to tell us here. Just because someone doesn't feel it's prudent to risk the loss of life or limb not to mention a very expensive aircraft to the Mexican banditos doesn't mean that they are relegated to flying park models on Sunday afternoon. What I've "learned from this mistake" is that I won't be within 200 miles of that border with any 200 series Cessna that I own unless I have time to pull the engine out if it until it simmers down a bit. Plenty of desert and sunshine in this country to see.

By all means haul yourself and your family down there all you want, they don't steal 185's too often anyway because most of them can only land it once.

And by the way, it's a lot harder to fly those damned little RC planes than it looks.

gb

GB, you make good points and choosing to stay out of Mexico keeps the Cabo type influence down, thanks. As far as stealing 185's is concerned, mine would have been gone if I had not disabled the engine the first year I brought it to Mexico following my T-210 being stolen. Prop lock was gone, shirt left in cabin, fuel stolen from a neighboring Cherokee 6 and topped off my plane, and so on and so forth. Why they passed up a Cherokee 6 for a 185 surprised me.

My point is that life, including flying has risks. On an individulal basis, decide what you want to risk but don't judge others too harshly. AND flying r/c is tougher than full scale especially taildraggers.

Ford, did you change your name?

Yeah, I really fit the "Cabo type". Sammy Hagar, yep, that's me. I agree with you. Cabo is nothing more than L.A. south. The place is ruined.

I am a former produce farmer and have had more interaction with the working class of Mexican Nationals than most. Had up to 200 working for me at one time. Generally speaking, you will not find a harder working group. And they are the jolliest people around a party that I have ever witnessed. A lot of folks get real wound up about immigration, but if they think those salad fixings are expensive now, just wait until there is no one left from Mexico for field labor. Americans will not do it, period. Been there, done that. Much easier to pump out some more kids and just to go collect welfare.

You being experienced S. of the border, know that in many areas stealing is a way of life and is taught from an early age. They think nothing of it, grew up doing it as a matter of survival. It pisses a person off, but deep down you can't really blame them knowing how it is. I'm just not personally going through the heartache anymore. Had my house cleaned out twice in 20 years. Got fed up and moved to Alaska!

My son has one of those electric RC planes. I can't bring it back to the ground in one piece.

gb

Bad enough to lose their plane and $$$ at gunpoint but to be treated so poorly by the US federales in their efforts to return home is truly sickening.

hell of a bunch of good reasons to stay the hell out of mexico...if u really want to see ghettos, simply go to east l.a. as i do once a month on buis...anyplace u can't go with your own firepower on board simply sucks...!

It could have been much worse for them. Back around 1978 my brothers best friend decided he needed some excitment in his life and put together a plan to fly a rented Cessna into Mexico to make a "score". He and the guy he was with were never seen again, ever. The authorities located the plane and put together the peices of what most likely took place. This time they were just after their money, not the plane. Wrong place, wrong plan.