13 October 2006
The post-accident response to the <a href=’newsfeed.php?artnum=311′ target=’_blank’>SR20 crash</a> which killed Cory Lidle and his instructor continues unabated.
This morning (US time) the media and politicians seem to have set about attacking the VFR routes which run up the rivers on either side of Lower/middle Manhattan. The SR20 was using one of these routes. It had, it appears, reached the northern limit of this route (where La Guardia airspace starts) when it turned through 180 degrees. Impact with the Belaire occurred shortly after that. (This sequence of events yet to be confirmed.)
The FAA now says that it will be reviewing these routings and the rules which govern them(roughly: ATC contact not required, stay below 1,100 ft and VFR).
A New York senator (Anthony Weiner, Rep) said that these corridors have been “the Wild West”, and called for anyone flying near Manhattan to be under air traffic control. Charles Schumer, another NY senator, suggested that a terrorist could “A smart terrorist could load up a small, little plane with biological, chemical or even nuclear material and fly up the Hudson or East rivers, no questions asked.” Apart from on the airport apron, presumably…
Governor George Pataki has also called on the FAA to take a tougher line.
The flights around Manhattan – <i><b>FLYER</b></i> has featured them a couple of times – are among the most spectacular in the world. It is to be hoped that pilots (and their passengers) aren’t to be denied them.
It is perhaps understandable that New Yorkers have the 9/11 scenario still in their minds, but knee-jerk reactions are not what is called for here.
Fighting the corner for GA is US AOPA, and in particular Phil Boyer, the Association’s president, who has spent much of the last couple of days appearing on TV, radio and in print defending GA and its freedoms.
