Stinson lost engine and dead sticked onto MN Tribe highway; now, plane is impounded. Just read this article and concerned as I fly around AZ reservations in the winter quite a bit. Is there an easy way to locate reservations on a sectional; specifically on Foreflight? Called AOPA legal (which I pay for) and all they would tell me is AOPA doesn't know anything for now as it is going to court.

I joined AZ Pilots so I try them as well.
Jack

OBTW; Emma from AOPA legal services just called me back because she listened in on my earlier conversation and could tell I was a little upset with what the earlier dipstick stated. She was very nice and set me up with a phone appt with AOPA atty to discuss. Emma said to please call her if I have any other issues: AOPA/Emma for the win; at least for now.

This has been dragging on for a long time, not a new event. I don't see how the tribe can do this on a state or federal highway but there are lots of issues with tribal law and common law.

It sure seems that the plane owner could have paid a fee for recovery and perhaps transport and nobody should have been upset but this seems to be a test case and everyone seems to be pushing the limits on it.

We all need to go back to kindergarten and just learn to get along.

I live just south of the Red Lake reservation. Red Lake has a somewhat unique treaty or set of regulations compared to other reservations. While I can somewhat understand they want to govern themselves in ways that follows their traditions, they recieve lots of federal aid. Casino, pot dispensary, etc, are money makers for them. It is an impoverished area, but then the drugs and alcohol are huge contributers to their overall quality of life. Many people and organizations have tried to educate and improve their lives and community, but the community has to want to help itself.

I'm not sure why the Federal goverment hasn't been more involved, except for the aforementioned treaty. I understand that the regulation the tribe enacted about low flying aircraft was due to low flying military jets in the past. This issue was resolved with the AF changing their operations in the vicinity of the reservation. If the elders of the tribe feel they have soverignty over the airspace, maybe a more reasonable restriction could be similar to what was done for the Boundry Waters area. They should also be more willing to accept that emergency landings, although rare can be handle more with help verses distain. The world is too small for them to act they way they are. Federal and state resorces are used to help them in an emergency, maybe that can be a negotiating tool.

I have friends that are native and while I understand their plight, I can easily see why they have the issues they have. 50-60 years ago, things were much worse, I'm not going to say it was the wild west, but stolen property, torched cars, etc. were the norm. Life has improved, but it may take a lot of time before it gets a substainial improvement.

Rant over.