Hudson crash caught on tape

Out of context: Reply #11

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  • marychain0

    OK...a LOT of misconceptions going on here.

    First of all....the FAA didn't screw up...they are not even involved. They are a regulatory body...they are not sitting in a tower directing aircraft.

    A pilot can file a flight plan in either VFR (Visual flight rules) or IFR...Instrument Flight rules.

    There are a LOT of conditions in which you cannot fly VFR
    The weather must be above minimums set by the FAA based on visability and clearance from clouds. Planes in this scenario have atltitude limits and the pilots employ a see and avoid philosophy (but ALL pilots do this..even IFR rated ones) HOWEVER they are required to use a transponder which signals on radar. In this case...the Teterboro tower had them on radar.

    Under VFR...the pilots are not required to ask for direction as long as they obey the altitude limit and speed limit. However...one should not mistake this for a plane being invisible and running loose in the skies above the Hudson.

    The ATC employees will likely have disciplinary actions taken for a really piss poor work ethic...however they have done nothing criminal.

    PS: altitude has nothing to do with whether a plane is or is not being directed by a tower. The only connection is that VFR rules usually dictate a ceiling.

    anyone want to discuss...I've been flying for a while now and have loved it since I was too young to really remember. Flying is an EXTREMELY safe experience....but lets face it...accidents DO happen....it's very tragic...but I hate it when these RARE accidents stike fear into people. It usually ends up sparking a lot of false information and misconceptions about flying. I think if people understood the regulations, safety standards and physics of flying they would feel a whole lot better. I am much more nervous of getting on the freeway.

    Cheers

    Only IFR flight REQUIRE instruction and vectoring from a tower or radar station.

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