Pilot broke rules when he buzzed Downtown

[aircav06]

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/24/20070224-A1-04.html


The F-16 flight carrying then-Lt. Gov. Bruce Johnson over Downtown in August rattled workers for only a few seconds. The investigation into whether the jet flew too low or too fast took 174 days.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s conclusion: The F-16 Fighting Falcon was flying at almost twice the speed limit and too low.

 

[scoober78]

"We found that the pilot did inadvertently go faster than FAA regulations allow," Roberts said. He would not describe the discipline, saying it was an internal matter.
The F-16 fighter jet roared north over Downtown on Aug. 17 at about 3,000 feet and between 422 and 550 mph, according to the FAA report. It flew over the Ohio State University campus between 2,100 and 2,300 feet and as fast as 497 mph before heading back Downtown for a final pass. As the jet left Downtown, it was traveling at nearly 472 mph.

Ooops....who knew? Must be within Air Force CTS...

 

[MasterBates]

2100 feet? Pathetic..

 

[Schnugg]

I can imagine the ICS comms...

Pilot: Should I go faster?
Lt Gov: Oh yeah, I'm the LT Gov you won't get in trouble.

 

[Sly1978]

Some people found the flyover unnerving; many called 911, and one woman was described as panicked by the sound and sight of a fighter jet over the city.

"Get the shotgun, Earl! The Canadians are invading!!!"

 

[Gatordev]

So what's the fine for doing 550 in a 200 zone?

 

[e6bflyer]

2100 feet? Pathetic..

Agreed. I still don't quite get what the guy did wrong. He didn't go too low, and the whole 250 below 10000 thing doesn't apply to the F-16, or does it? If I were that VIP, I would be apologizing on behalf of the entire state, but then again jet noise doesn't scare me.

 

[Gatordev]

It still applies unless there's a letter of agreement. And if it was a Class D...

 

[MasterBates]

Hell, HSL and HS fly through downtown JAX at 300-500 feet.

That is lower than some of the buildings, and we are not that far from them. Maybe 100 yards or so near the Main St Bridge (the lift bridge for those semi-familiar with Freakville)

P-3s and S-3s come thru not much higher, and the only reason they are up higher is to keep the different speed traffic seperated.

 

[Gatordev]

Hell, HSL and HS fly through downtown JAX at 300-500 feet.

Yes, but the both Opnav and the FAA say it's okay to be down there, and actually specifically encourage it. Not defending 2100 feet, but just making sure we're comparing apples to apples.

 

[phrogdriver]

Greater than 250KIAS below 10K...roger that. "Careless and reckless..." no way. He also doesn't need clearance from controllers to go below 10K, unless he was under their control or IFR, unless they're talking about him getting approved for the high-speed.

People are lame.

 

[Schnugg]

Also don't forget the 200 knots below the overhang of a Class B/C...right?

Sounds like he forgot where he was...

 

[Tom]

Can the FAA really do anything to the F-16 pilot if they tried? If he had civilian certificates, could they revoke them? Could they fine him? How does this play into military pilots overall?

 

[whitesoxnation]

Why are people complaining.... thats badass.

 

[MasterBates]

In some aircraft (helos) it is damn near impossible to be breaking a FAR, but be OPNAV legal. Not sure what they would do in that case.

I do know that even suspicion of breaking OPNAV is BAD JU-JU. Like you don't fly anymore Bad JuJu if they prove it. Being under suspiscion alone WILL get your ass grounded until they figure it the hell out.