http://cbs2chicago.com/local/golf.cours ... 68950.html

I can't understand all the controversy here. It sounds like a reasonable reason to land there.

I have mixed reactions to this one. On one hand I understand the point about landing on someone else's property without permission. No different than if he had used a snowmobile.

On the other hand it does illustrate the huge gulf between a pilot's view of what is reasonable and the publics understanding of airplanes. If it had been a snowmobile, would the police have reacted in that way? Impound the snowmobile and threaten charges? I think he probably would have never been noticed and if he was, then he would have gotten a verbal "Don't do that!"

Way out of proportion in my view.

Did he do anything wrong or illegal?

Is there a law or regulation against landing on golf courses?

Why is it hot air balloons land where ever they want with no problems ?

Skystrider

Impound the snowmobile and threaten charges?

Lift it off with a crane? Wouldn't do that to a snowmobile.

Geez. Just fine him $100 and tell him to go home.

Why is it hot air balloons land where ever they want with no problems ?

It's because balloons and politicians use the same temperature air.

Come on guys, regardless of the over-reaction by local law enforcement, that was a piss- poor decision by that pilot.

Well, maybe we do things a bit different in the western US, but I knew a pilot who took off from the Ontario golf course, which is adjacent to the Ontario, OR airport.

Definitely wasn't planed, but it worked and after the pilot came back to the airport knowing his license was history, the folks on the golf course were more worried about the pilot than they were about themselves and having to aborting their "T" shot. No Police got involved either. (well, in a fashion).

Maybe SkyBobb heard about the Citabria that took off from ONO back in...say about....1976??

You gotta love learning how to fly a tail dragger....I'll relate the rest of the story at JC this summer....And you're right mtbowhunter, the pilot should have gotten permission....

mtbowhunter wrote:Come on guys, regardless of the over-reaction by local law enforcement, that was a piss- poor decision by that pilot.

I'd have to say everybody concerned was wrong about this one. Like the kid (kindergardener) that got suspended from school because he brought his GI Joe to school and Joe had a little toy plastic gun.
Sometimes you need to get it slapped just because what you did wasn't really that bad, just stupid. In this case though I don't think the punishment fit the crime.

I wonder what would have happened if the pilot had permission from the owners of the golf course?

Rednecks, we'll never change.......... I hope!

I'd have done the same thing....

Flat Country Pilot wrote:Did he do anything wrong or illegal?

Is there a law or regulation against landing on golf courses?

Yes. No.

Skystrider wrote:I wonder what would have happened if the pilot had permission from the owners of the golf course?

Probably (hopefully) a different outcome.

If I owned a golf course and someone drove across my greens with their car to drop off their kid I'd be pissed and calling the cops too. Same with an airplane.

Now if he had asked and had permission..... Different story.

Gump

Not to justify this guy's lack of common sense but I think there is a bit of a difference in a golf course under snow ie closed and a course open and being played. There is also the issue of leaking fuel? Sounds like an attempt to justify not letting him take off again after not being able to come up with a good legal reason he couldn't depart.

I wonder what the outcome would have been if he had noticed a fluctuation in oil pressure and decided a precautionary landing was in order.

N6EA wrote:Not to justify this guy's lack of common sense but I think there is a bit of a difference in a golf course under snow ie closed and a course open and being played.

Not to pick nits, but... Ya don't land airplanes, drive cars, or do anything else on private property without asking first and getting permission. People think nothing of driving out to a ranch, opening a gate (and then usually leave it open), and go out and do anything they damn well feel like doing. Then they get surprised when the property owner calls the deputies and has them hauled off for trespassing and causing damage...

Now if same rancher rode into town and parked on some city folk's lawn, opened all the gates and set up camp, the whole neighborhood would roll out to see the show.

Public land, that's a different story. If I can drive on it, then I want to fly on it too...

Gump

Gump,

I agree and that is why I say he didn't use common sense.

Being raised on a 1,200 acre ranch that is trespassed constantly, I am aware of what proper gate etiquet is and the importance of written permission be it for hunting, fishing or just coming on the ranch. (Sorry to the Jehovah's that I may have offended that apparently can't read)

I guess my problem would be with the punishment of not letting him fly the thing outta' there after a fine, court date or whatever.

To make him truck it out seems a bit excessive.

One of the guys backing my construction co. used to regularly land on the golf course next to his oil company right along our main hwy. with out any problems. His dad owned the course though. He even had a little hanger off one of the fairways.

This was all 20 yrs ago though. A guy'd probably never get away with it now.

Not to mention the fact it took several attempts.

If he would have just landed the first time he may have gone unnoticed.

Not only is he a dipshit sounds like his flying skills need some help as well.

mr scout wrote:Not to mention the fact it took several attempts.

If he would have just landed the first time he may have gone unnoticed.

Not only is he a dipshit sounds like his flying skills need some help as well.

HaHa, well then maybe it was best they made him truck it out...

In the mean time: Did the kid make his tennis lesson ?

Hard to believe its gotten this far