REFLECTOR: Fwd: Special Report: AOPA demands answers on aircraft searches

[Mark Magee]

All,
A friend of mine is a Customs pilot in San Angelo, I'll reach out to him on his perspective on what's going on and report back. He's also a pilot in the Naval Reserve and I believe on a short deployment currently so he may be out of pocket. He and his boss from Customs give a discussion at a Rotary Club meeting for me recently: these boys always roll out heavy (armed), the pilots themselves doing the 'ramp checks'. Down here they are mostly running intercepts from biz aircraft not talking/squawking per procedures coming up from MEX, S America or the Carribean. I believe 100% of the US Customs personnel at the San Angelo aviation operation are former military: I take the boys out to lunch now and again...


Mark B. Magee
N34XL
Sent from IPhone 4S

16:13-14

On Jun 19, 2013, at 7:52 PM, "Richard J. Gentil" <richard at naples-air-center.com> wrote:

> I just finished reading it about 30 minutes ago. 
> 
> Really curious why they are making so may searches. 
> 
> You know when CBP see a Velocity they have no idea what they are looking at. Makes them even more curious about it. I have had them with density and radiation meters checking my bird before. 
> 
> They seem to think it is some sort of aerial drone. 
> 
> Richard 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone 5
> 
> On Jun 19, 2013, at 8:26 PM, Kevin Baker <flykb at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
>> FYI 
>> Received this email from aopa tonight 
>> 
>> Thought folks might be intetested
>> Kevin Baker 
>> 
>> .
>> 
>> Begin forwarded message:
>> 
>>> From: AOPA_EPILOT at AOPA.ORG
>>> Date: June 19, 2013, 5:01:52 PM CDT
>>> To: FLYKB at VERIZON.NET
>>> Subject: Special Report: AOPA demands answers on aircraft searches
>>> 
>>> Comments? E-mail pilotassist at aopa.org, call 800/USA-AOPA
>>> 
>>> June 19, 2013
>>> FIGHTING FOR PILOTS’ RIGHTS
>>> AOPA demands answers on aircraft searches
>>> With a growing number of reports from law-abiding pilots stopped by armed federal agents on the ramp, their aircraft searched by federal agents, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remains silent, and outrage is building. AOPA is questioning CBP’s authority to conduct the searches, and demanding a response from officials at the highest level. There has been no meaningful response to date from CBP to Freedom of Information Act requests filed months ago by AOPA and affected pilots.
>>> “We don’t even know why they’re being stopped,” said AOPA General Counsel Ken Mead, adding that the association will press the issue until satisfactory answers—or a change in policy—are forthcoming. “We’re not going to let this go with just lip service. The agency either has to stop its behavior or we’re going to need to elevate it to Congress.” Read the full story >>
>>> 
>>> What to do if stopped by law enforcement
>>> AOPA is still researching the legal specifics involved when federal agents, particularly CBP agents acting well inside the nation’s borders, detain a pilot and search an aircraft. As the association works to gain a fuller understanding of what is permitted, a convenient kneeboard reference card has been prepared for pilots who might find themselves the object of the agency’s attention. This step-by-step guide includes general procedures to follow when subjected to detention and search. Always be courteous and respectful, and remain calm. Answer questions truthfully, but succinctly. Do not volunteer information. Download the kneeboard reference card >>
>> _______________________________________________
>> To change your email address, visit http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>> 
>> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
>> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
>> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
>> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
> _______________________________________________
> To change your email address, visit http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
> 
> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/private/reflector/attachments/20130620/e6a8ad57/attachment-0001.html>