Long story short, The aviation and land use manager in Tallahassee doesn't know the answer, but will try to find out for me and will call me back

OK, I got my answer. It's not legal to land anywhere in the state of Florida except for established public or private use airports, except in the case of an emergency. I guess I knew that. There is apparently a procedure for establishing a temporary landing facility though

It's 1967....

.....I am a 19 year old STUDENT PILOT. My buddy is heading off to Viet Nam and wants to fly with me.

I fly to central Indiana and land on I-70 which is being newly constructed, right behind his family farm. He jumps into the rented C-150 and off we go for a joyride.

One hour later we land on the highway again; get out of the airplane and hug goodbye. As he waded through the soy bean field toward his house, I head back to the airplane. Out of the corner of my eye I see an Indiana State Trooper bearing down upon me....sirens blazing and red lights flashing. Oh crap. Quicky I open the engine cowling and begin fiddling with some mag wires.

"You all right son?" "What happened?" " Sorry officer." "My engine was running rough and I found a mag wire loose." "I got it finger tight now and I think that I will be O.K." "Wow....glad you are O.K, Is there any thing that I can do to help?"

"Well sir if you could just go back up the highway about a 1/2 mile and block the road....I know it isn't open yet but wouldn't want anyone to come driving by while I take off." "Sure son....be glad to do that.'

So he does. Parks across the roadway 1/2 mile west of my position. The trusty C-150 roars to life and I wave at him as I zoom overhead, departing for the home field.

Me? I finished a airline career with over 30,000 accident, incident and violation free flight hours. Am spending retirement seeking adventure in our Maule.

My buddy? You can find his name on the "Wall"....the Viet Nam memorial in Washington D.C. He was 20 years old.

Bob

A man's gotta have priorities straight as some things in life are well worth going to jail for. Don't be afraid of dying, be more afraid of not living.

Gump

I don't mind the loose mag wire thing, but it wouldn't explain the ice chest, beach umbrellas and beach chairs and everybody in bathing suits and playing in the surf, especially when this is the third weekend in a row that the mag wire came loose over the same beach
I'm afraid they got me, and if I don't like it then I can move to Alaska or somewhere else you can still "get away with it"

Bingo! The fun police have not quite taken over out here in the western U.S. but don't wait too long. I've seen too many changes since the 70's to count but still having a good time, just gotta get away from the populated areas to make your fun. Shockingly, the recent seaplane operations decision from the feds reopened a tremendous amount of real estate that had been taken away-I guess there is still hope for the good fight!

Man! That was a helva story z3skybolt. I hope it is true because I am shedding a tear!

Skystrider wrote:Man! That was a helva story z3skybolt. I hope it is true because I am shedding a tear!

Amen

Yes,

It is a true story. Terry Johnson from Monrovia, Indiana was my friend's name.

I made a rubbing of his name from the wall, framed it and presented it to his tearful mother....20 years after his death in combat. She is in her 80's now, a long time widow with no surviving children. She still lives in the farmhouse, next to the interstate, where Terry and I once flew.

Next time you visit the "Wall"....touch his name for me.

Bob