Taxiing a plane to the pub ...

[timel]

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/254 ... o-the-pub/

Taxiiing a plane to the pub seemed like a good joke to locals but police are taking it seriously enough to consider charges.

A Newman local took his wingless Beechcraft two-seater aircraft down the main street on Friday to the amusement of bystanders who clamoured to take pictures with mobile phones.

The pilot then went in the pub and ordered a cold one.

Today, Newman Police said it was not amused.

Sgt Mark McKenzie said the plane had its propeller running, its wings removed and was being steered by foot pedals on Friday.

“It was a pretty stupid thing to do,” Sgt McKenzie said.

“Kids were coming home from school. It could have been very ugly.

“All he needed was one gust of wind ... because without the wings, it’s not stable.

“People think it was a bit of a laugh but it was very dangerous and we’re not very happy with it.”

Sgt McKenzie said police had examined the Road Traffic Act but would likely charge the man under the Criminal Code.

“I would assume there would be an offence under the Criminal Code that may fit the bill.

“I’m confident that he will be charged with something soon.

On Friday, Shire of East Pilbara airport compliance manager George Christianson said the plane which appeared at Newman Hotel's Purple Pub at 2.30pm, in what is understood to have been a Halloween prank, fast became the talk of the town.

"It's certainly caused a lot of banter and a fair few laughs ... we've no idea where it came from, but it's now parked up in the carpark of the pub," he said.

"It's definitely been the cause of a lot of chatter."

Hotel staff dubbed the man a "legend" for his casual arrival, which attracted a crowd of more than 200 people armed with cameras and iPhones.

Hotel manager Timaia Gulliver said pub staff who served the man were unaware of his unconventional mode of transport until police arrived.

The plane was towed away from the carpark and the man was questioned by officers. Witnesses saw the man being patted down by police outside the pub.

At the time, Newman police Sgt Mark Garner said officers were investigating whether the man had committed an offence and charges were pending.

Sgt Garner said the man passed a breath-test at the scene, the plane did not leave the ground or cause any traffic accidents.

"He is one of our local characters," he said.

"I need to look at what the appropriate offence would be as it's a bit of an unusual one."

[GyvAir]

Sgt McKenzie said police had examined the Road Traffic Act but would likely charge the man under the Criminal Code.
“I would assume there would be an offence under the Criminal Code that may fit the bill.

Driving a wingless airplane through town does sound pretty stupid and worthy of a fine or such... but criminal?

[digits_]

If you don't know how you can charge a man for a "crime", then don't bother charging him at all. Looks like he found a loophole. A pretty cool one even.

[AirFrame]

Taxi an airplane with no wings up a main street and everyone points, takes pictures, laughs, and thinks it's a riot.

Take off under a bridge and the whole internet blows up...

[GyvAir]

I find it surprising that there isn't some blanket highway traffic act law he could be fined under. Something along the lines of "unlicenced/uninsured operation of a non-certified/non-roadworthy motorized vehicle". They refer to him as a "local character", so maybe they have it out for him to start with. “Local characters” tend to, by definition, present lots of opportunities for local authorities to charge them with offences anyway though, don’t they?

[currysonic]

I'm sure moving a whirling blade of death and decapitation through the general public is clause for one charge or another.

[linecrew]

Did he go under a bridge?

[timel]

I'm sure moving a whirling blade of death and decapitation through the general public is clause for one charge or another.

So true. Not designed for public roads.

All he needed was one gust of wind ... because without the wings, it’s not stable.

I wonder about that

[pdw]

I find it surprising that there isn't some blanket highway traffic act law he could be fined under. Something along the lines of "unlicenced/uninsured operation of a non-certified/non-roadworthy motorized vehicle".

If it's a built up area there's an aviation infraction already.

As for the highway traffic act, the only way an unlicensed road vehicle could be on the road legally is if it's arranged/escorted or proved 'a vehicle of husbandry' (which means no faster than 20mph and needs a slowmoving vehicle sign).

[New_PIC]

...
If it's a built up area there's an aviation infraction already.

As for the highway traffic act, the only way an unlicensed road vehicle could be on the road legally is if it's arranged/escorted or proved 'a vehicle of husbandry' (which means no faster than 20mph and needs a slowmoving vehicle sign).

Is that the Australian laws you're quoting? The newspaper is reporting from west Australia ...

[pdw]

If he's motored in from the outback about mid afternoon (looks like near the edge of town) ... likely just was real thirsty.

[digits_]

I'm sure moving a whirling blade of death and decapitation through the general public is clause for one charge or another.

So true. Not designed for public roads.

It is obviously not designed for public roads, but would it really be that more dangerous ? As long as you keep your distance, you should be fine. Just like you keep your distance from a moving car. Not to forget that the airplane will probably be taxiing at a very slow speed, which makes it safer than a fast car driving by.

[dashx]

Had to edit my post. It just got too taxing to deal with.

[Pop n Fresh]

I'm sure moving a whirling blade of death and decapitation through the general public is clause for one charge or another.

So true. Not designed for public roads.

I wonder if less smug jaywalkers would cross against the light if I were driving that, instead of a vehicle "designed for public roads"?
Minivans certainly don't awake a healthy sense of self preservation in them.

[182-SS]

Typical out of control cops abusing their power. Saying that they want to press criminal charges is laughable yet scary at the same time because these cops actually believe their propaganda. Was it stupid to do? Yes absolutely, you know cops will overreact nowadays, but i guess its his right to push them lol. What they could actually ticket him for though,non road certified vehicle, no insurance, no plates, no lighting, probably failure to signal, Many places your wheels must be covered with fenders. I'm sure there are many others, they could really rack up the tickets to several thousand dollars to teach him a lesson... which is what they want to do we all know that. But criminal charges? Nope, and they should be reprimanded by their superiors for suggesting this to the media.

I like how the Cop is an expert saying that "All he needed was one gust of wind... Because without the wings, its not stable." and before he stated that OH MY GOD "it was being steered by foot petals" hahahaha

[iflyforpie]

I'd like to see the scientific explanation of why the plane is less stable without wings.

Without wings... 100% of the weight of the aircraft is within the gear track.

Without wings, there is less surface area for the wind to blow against.

Without wings, there isn't a large moment where wind can create lift and tilt the aircraft (which is why we have to have proper control inputs when taxiing in wind).

There is less of a 'polar moment of inertia' as Colonel Sanders put it... (having the equivalent damping effect of a pole to a tightrope walker) but on such a light single-engine aircraft it would be negligible. That 'polar moment of inertia' also has a destablizing effect once it is in motion because of any of the above reasons.

[grimey]

I like how the Cop is an expert saying that "All he needed was one gust of wind... Because without the wings, its not stable." and before he stated that OH MY GOD "it was being steered by foot petals" hahahaha

I'd guess that the biggest objection from most people (though not the cop, apparently) would be the fast spinny thing on the front being around people who's only experience with them is walking down the jetway, past the flight attendant, and into their seat. Which is more or less legitimate, IMO.

[freakonature]

Beechcraft made a two seat airplane?

[iflyforpie]

Beechcraft has made several two-seat airplanes... and they're still making one of them today....

[GyvAir]

The original link has been updated to state:

"He does not hold a pilot's licence and was charged with endangering a life. He will appear in Newman Magistrate's Court on November 18."

I like this headline from stuff.co.nz:

"Man foot-pedals plane to pub"

And from another report:

It is alleged the 37-year old man had just bought the aircraft and was taking it home but stopped at the pub.

Police said there was an exposed fuel line hanging from the side of the plane, which was attached to an insecure jerry can inside the cabin, to enable the engine to run.

Police allege the man, who does not hold a pilot's licence, left the engine in a potentially dangerous condition with the ignition on and said the roads were busy with vehicles and pedestrians.

Hadn't thought about how he was fueling his trip with no wing tanks. A bit of thought and effort went into his little trip.

And the Times of India nails it with the photo they put with their copy of the story:
http://articles.economictimes.indiatime ... -propeller