Warbird Information Exchange

alternate title...........
The author is a ignorant dumb-*ss stupid &^*$$%%!!@( &^&+

VENTURA COUNTY STAR
Pilots put on notice: Surf crew is watching
By Robert Angstadt
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Pilots are now being watched from the ground by a 24-member surf crew. Our efforts will be duplicated many times over as news spreads.
Nov. 8, four of my crew were surfing Solimar Beach. Between 10:45 and 11 a.m., two World War II planes (Corsair I) were approaching from the south, at an altitude of 50 to 75 feet, buzzing the coastline. When the lead plane was about 100 yards from us, we suddenly witnessed a burst of blood, and then a full-length pelican wing launched to the left of the plane, while the rest of the pelican plummeted to the right. When the pelican hit the water, the splash was rich in color — there was that much blood.
As the plane passed by, it suddenly veered toward the mountains. After gaining altitude, both planes circled back, possibly to assess the damage. We watched the body of the pelican for the next 15 minutes (it fell approximately 100 yards south of our location). Believe it or not, this poor bird moved its head and other wing a couple of times.
We were hoping that it would quickly fall into shock and bleed to death so the suffering would come to an end. After about five minutes, the bird appeared to stop moving.
I am forever marked with this disturbing vision of watching an innocent, large sea bird get cut apart in midair; marked in such a way, I was unable to sit still, and felt it necessary to submit a report to the Federal Aviation Administration field operations office in Van Nuys. It gladly offered to conduct an investigation. Although I have good descriptions of the unique planes, as well as flight times, locations, etc., it still may be difficult to contact the pilots. Had my jaw not dropped to sea level at the time of impact, I might have had the wits to notice and memorize the plane's ID markings.
I want all surfers and members of our coastal communities to be aware of this event. I strongly feel this poor bird died because a pilot was breaking FAA regulations. In situations like this, I am hoping everyone will take some effort to stand up for our environment and hold people accountable when bad judgment has an unfortunate outcome. And if you're not the tree-hugging type, think what would happen if you were hit by a falling bird part, or worse yet, a disabled plane.
Our personal safety was equally in danger in this scenario. We need to report these ridiculous low-flying incidents as they occur — and they are occurring with greater frequency. Please stand with my surf crew and me and take action!

— Robert Angstadt lives in Thousand Oaks.

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

What an idiot! I'm gonna go buy a pelican, scented candles, and a Barry White CD for the man. Maybe he'll stay indoors then...

To the Corsair Pilot- (a) I hope your aircraft wasn't damaged and (b) 50-75ft? You couldn't go lower?

_________________
Taylor Stevenson

Uh... I surf too. **** this guy.

_________________
.
.
Sure, Charles Lindbergh flew the plane... but Tom Rutledge built the engine!

Visit Django Studios online or Facebook!

How dare this guy try to stop the newest extreme sport of intentionally trying to get a bird to come flying through your windscreen.

I guess we better cage up all the sharks that eat surfers too!

_________________
-Al Sauer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spookythecat

There is a lesson here! When buzzing never go back to buzz the same place twice! A rule I follow very strictly!

Yeah but I bet your board isn't pink with fluffy bears and flowers on it though.

Chit happens

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Welcome to California!
I am sure that the surfer dude who is so concerned about our enviroment that he and his buds plan on reporting low flying planes, probably uses the ocean as his toilet while he is out surfing.

Les

What is the author ignorant of, and what makes him such a dumbass?

What are the rules on low flying in the US anyway? Was the pilot breaking any at 50-75ft?

I guess if you want to rip up and down the coast ( were their are largs ass birds ) you deserve what you get ( bloodied plane, bent prop etc )

Dave C

Speaking of Corsairs and birdstrikes.
A few years back EVG's Corsair took a bird hit in the left wing.
Riding in the jump seat was a OR ANG F-15 pilot.
So they fixed the plane and sent him the bill
It's now framed and hanging on his wall

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

UHhhhh helloooo!!! Are you serious.
Maybe the FAA should ground every aircraft, prohibit all
departures too for fear of a frickin bird strike. Obviously the author of
the article is " Sensitive" and needs a laxative. While his jaw was dropped, its a shame it didn't fill with water. Having been in the military and law enforcment, I thought that I have already heard it all...until now. Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it. ITS A BIRD. I suppose the aviator purposly targeted that specifice bird. Let me think about that for a moment....Uhmm like NO! Was a FAR violated? Dunno, as I don't know what the FAR is for flying over water, don't they only apply to over land and populated areas
Yeah the author is a crying ( insert your choice of descriptive), eats a lots of cheese, because he sure must whine a lot.
Ya'll have a nice day

_________________
Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

HHHmmm. I'll bet the "Corsair" pilot was not breaking any FAR's.

Here is the actual FAR regarding low altitude flying:


Sec. 91.119

Minimum safe altitudes: General.

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.

(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

(d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.





A few things that are noteworthy:

1) Most civilians can't tell the difference between a Cessna and a Lear Jet, so just because he said it was a Corsair, doesn't necessarily mean it was. It could have simply been a light aircraft painted up in blue with faux military markings.

2) Most civilians tend to underestimate distances. When he said 50 to 75 feet, he could have been at several hundred. I wouldn't put much stock in his estimation.

3) The reader says that Pelican fell 100 yards south of his point. That is 300 feet. It could very well have been further away, like 500 feet, espcially when you consider that the momentum could have carried the parts further away.

4) The reader has already implied that he is a "tree-hugger". Since we already know he has an agenda, he could very well be skewing or totally fabricating the story. This would make me suspect everything he said. He could very well be on the rampage against ALL aviation.

5) Was the location close to an airport? It wouldn't matter what altitude the planes were at if they were on approach to land at a nearby airport.





From the AIM, it states:

7-4-6. Flights Over Charted U.S. Wildlife Refuges, Parks, and Forest Service Areas

a. The landing of aircraft is prohibited on lands or waters administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or U.S. Forest Service without authorization from the respective agency. Exceptions include:

1. When forced to land due to an emergency beyond the control of the operator;

2. At officially designated landing sites; or

3. An approved official business of the Federal Government.

b. Pilots are requested to maintain a minimum altitude of 2,000 feet above the surface of the following: National Parks, Monuments, Seashores, Lakeshores, Recreation Areas and Scenic Riverways administered by the National Park Service, National Wildlife Refuges, Big Game Refuges, Game Ranges and Wildlife Ranges administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wilderness and Primitive areas administered by the U.S. Forest Service.




This last part is the most crucial. I guess the real question is whether that portion of the beach is administered by the National Park Service. If it is, he could have been in violation of this rule.



Here are some pictures for Robert. I guess he has never been out in the wild before to be so distubed by the graphic realities of nature:









The pictures are from this website:
http://www.billcurtsingerphoto.com/page ... harks.html

Glad the guy wasn't aboard a cruise ship off the end of 09L at FLL last week or he might have seen me murder a turkey buzzard using the windscreen of my MD-80.

_________________
Cheers,

Craig

Facebook Groups:

U.S. Marine Corps Sikorsky HRS / CH-19 Helicopter Database
U.S. Coast Guard Sikorsky HO4S / HH-19 Helicopter Database

Tiger sharks scarfing up Gooney birds at Midway is always a must see

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

Must've been quite an experience to see TWO Corsairs out for fun at low level and no airshow. Must've been some fun for the pilots, too!
I hope that guy doesn't catch on to our Southern past-time of bug control by airplane. Of course, I don't always enjoy cleaning up the mess afterwards.

Ryan

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.