Todos
← Back to Squawk list
AP Exclusive: Ferguson no-fly zone aimed at media
The U.S. government agreed to a police request to restrict more than 37 square miles of airspace surrounding Ferguson, Missouri, for 12 days in August for safety, but audio recordings show that local authorities privately acknowledged the purpose was to keep away news helicopters during violent street protests. (bigstory.ap.org) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Word was a few weeks back in the thick of things, that Lamberts stuff was doing a 90 right or left to keep from getting shot at. If the choppers were violating Class B airspace, then their pilots ought to be hauled in as well.
preacher1, I don't think clearance is really the issue. The question is about system capability. Could the system, relying on visual separation of the choppers from each other and from the very nearby airliners on short final, be reliable in a dynamic, possibly chaotic situation? History strongly suggests the answer is no. The controllers could have taken it upon themselves, simply denying clearance, but then they would have been in the political gun-sights. Their bosses correctly saw that this was a management level decision and took it out of the controllers' concerns. Sometimes the bosses make a good decision and we should applaud them when they do.
I can agree it's a place for an accident to happen. Even if they don't violate the "B", it mat be a little close for comfort.
Left or right on takeoff, Idk about approach. That sounds like fun. I haven't seen the TFR. It doesn't bother Lambert does it.?
This is the same kind of TFR abuse that is over Disneyland, Disneyworld, sports stadiums, etc. In those cases, it's designed to eliminate banner towing.
Were the first amendment still addressing the issues of a fair and objective media, then I would say their rights should be unabridged. However, the current trend of media bias and spin are quite well known and thus their immunity from interference and unfettered access is completely understood by an objective observer. The road to a lesser democracy is already many miles and deeds in the rearview mirror. The culprits are many, and many congregate in D.C. Tomorrow would be a good day to do something about that part of it!
Would you want to be landing an airliner with an uncontrolled gaggle of helicopters, some of which might, according to a pilot report, be receiving small arms fire from the ground, less than a mile from short final?
I think a TFR was a mighty wise move!