Hauled off in handcuffs for an engine out....

[Infidel]

Escorting the pilot away from the Cub in handcuffs WAS overkill. A short cursory investigation would've likely revealed the circumstances of why he landed there and that same contact would've determined he was not a threat. I've seen this all too often though; when you have "security" guards that work a day in/day out mundane boring job and when the slightest thing happens that breaks up the monotony, they capitalize at the chance to utilize their training.

Did they have to handcuff and secure the pilot? Probably not. But then, I don't know what the facilities protocol is when an "unauthorized" entry on the grounds occurs. So it's possible the guys were doing what they were supposed to.

Now, if the pilot did land there because of an engine-out emergency and he can articulate that was his only viable area to safely land and he is criminally charged, we should then be irate.

[martymayes]

we've got too many hammers nowadays, and not enough Andy Taylors.

Andy Taylor was a fictional character.

[WLIU]

For better or worse, a lot of law enforcement protocols these days implement the "handcuff everyone and then sort it out" philosophy. What happened to this pilot is the same thing that happens when there is a neighborhood altercation and the police arrive to restore order. I will suggest that this approach is not healthy for citizen-law enforcement relations, but post-9/11 every government facility looks at unexpected visitors as potential terrorists. Guilty until proven innocent.

How to change this? Get involved in politics. If your town/city/state/federal politicians get heat from their constituents, they will mandate change. But if they hear nothing, nothing will change.

Some years ago in NY state, there was a skydiving center not far from a state prison. Once a year or so the skydivers would misjudge the winds and one or two would land inside the prison grounds. They all knew that the guard staff would be immediately pointing all of their weapons in their direction and that the errant skydiver(s) were to just stand there and make no threatening movements. The prison staff would spend some time expressing their displeasure and then escort the skydivers to the gates after making sure that the errant landing(s) were not part of an inmate escape.

All of that said, if you have to land off the airport, it is best to recover your sense of humor quickly as anything can happen. After walking away with no injuries, everything else is a bonus that day.

Best of luck,

Wes
N78PS

[Bill Greenwood]

Ron, "Strange aircraft"? Who you calling strange? I've got one of those, a J3 Cub and they are great to learn in and to have fun. It's got everything you need in a plane, a wing, in this case a big high lift, low stall wing, a real stick to control it, and a propeller. The only problem I can see is the ugly metal prop out front where is should have a beautiful and light wood one.

[1600vw]

I only speak for me but myself I am getting tired of those who claim to be protecting me to be the ones shoving me around. It happens in my car, as I walk down the street, and now I have to watch where I land if I have an engine out. I must worry am I landing somewhere that I will have guns pointed in my face. Bad enough one has to deal with an engine out now one must worry about just where they put this airplane down.
I was flying a small 2 oz rc airplane and had 7 cop cars pull up and I thought I was going to be beat, for flying an 2 oz RC airplane. Our police are getting out of hand. I am glad I am pushing 60, time to exit stage left.
The next time someone asks, why do you stay above your airfield, I will print this and shove it under their nose.

Tony

[martymayes]

Welcome to the new world. As the US will be a terrorist target for the foreseeable future, expect more of the same.

[WLIU]

"I was flying a small 2 oz rc airplane and had 7 cop cars pull up"

If you stop doing what is normal and legal, then your local folks learn nothing. Keep doing what you do and educate them. Then when they get a call from someone who is less educated and acclimated, the dispatcher will ask better questions of the caller and likely tell them that what you are doing does not warrant a patrol car stopping by.

You and I pay for these municipal services. If we do not demand value for our tax $$, we will get none. Does not mean we should not be polite and friendly, but we should be firm. Kind of like how we want the EAA and AOPA to work with the FAA.

Best of luck,

Wes
N78PS

[Floatsflyer]

For better or worse, a lot of law enforcement protocols these days implement the "handcuff everyone and then sort it out" philosophy.

Wes
N78PS

We'll then, society and it's relationship with the cops is improving, isn't it? Those protocols, in places like parts of the south and Detroit in 1967-73 used to be gun out, shoot, yell halt, ask questions....if the target wasn't already dead.

Aahhh, isn't progress wonderful?

[Floatsflyer]

I only speak for me but myself I am getting tired of those who claim to be protecting me to be the ones shoving me around. It happens in my car, as I walk down the street, and now I have to watch where I land if I have an engine out. Tony

OK, now the genesis of your outrage is becoming apparent. By your own admission, you are being harassed by the cops and as you infer, for no apparent reason. Why is this happening to you?

What is it about your demeanour, behaviour, appearance, dress, look that raises questions or concerns by the cops when you're in your car or walking down the street? Something is raising red flags. You've got to answer this question and/or ask the cops.

[1600vw]

OK, now the genesis of your outrage is becoming apparent. By your own admission, you are being harassed by the cops and as you infer, for no apparent reason. Why is this happening to you?

What is it about your demeanour, behaviour, appearance, dress, look that raises questions or concerns by the cops when you're in your car or walking down the street? Something is raising red flags. You've got to answer this question and/or ask the cops.

I guess you would be correct if it was just happening to me. But all you have to do is research and you will see this happens all over America. When I said in my car I am talking about check points. Myself I have not been pulled over by the police in almost 30 years for a traffic offense. But I still must deal with all the check points.

Raising red flags....that is funny

Tony