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Sky Kings: Innocent Pilots Face Down Guns, Handcuffs

The ramp of an airport makes for an unlikely traffic stop, and it proves to be pointless. VDB Photos/Shutterstock
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot and passenger were subjected to a "high-risk" police stop at an airport, complete with drawn guns and handcuffs, due to a false report.
  • The incident was caused by an erroneous database entry from the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) that incorrectly linked their aircraft's reassigned registration to an eight-year-old stolen plane, a fact easily verifiable.
  • The author criticizes the systemic failure to update crime databases, leading to repeated dangerous encounters for innocent pilots, and questions the police's reliance on high-risk tactics due to a lack of aviation understanding.
  • The experience reinforced the author's "interception standard operating procedure" of full compliance without complaint or explanation to mitigate risk during tense police encounters.
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We taxied up in front of the line of four police cars as we were directed by ground control, instead of to the FBO where our friends were waiting. Martha said, “This is going to be interesting.” As we shut down the engine, we heard the bullhorn aimed at us and a voice: “Pilot, very slowly open your door. Pilot, very slowly stick both hands out the door and come out very slowly.”

Martha and I take turns flying and each can fly from either seat. In this case, I was not particularly eager to declare myself as the pilot. Finally, I “agreed” to be the pilot.

John King

John King started King Schools Inc., with his wife, Martha, in a spare bedroom of their home. Today, the school operates out of a dedicated complex in San Diego, California, that includes a video and software production facility. John and Martha have shared flying and teaching aviation for more than 50 years.

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