Comments on: We’re Listening: The Austin Tragedy and its Impact on General Aviation http://www.planeconversations.com/2010/03/14/were-listening-the-austin-tragedy-and-its-impact-on-general-aviation/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:56:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Clint White http://www.planeconversations.com/2010/03/14/were-listening-the-austin-tragedy-and-its-impact-on-general-aviation/comment-page-1/#comment-778 Clint White Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:58:02 +0000 http://www.planeconversations.com/?p=2917#comment-778 I have been relieved to see that in most cases, the tragedy in Austin has generally NOT been used to bash GA. After all the negative press of the last 2 years, I was with many in the community waiting for what seemed to be the inevitable grilling that GA and business aviation would take in the press. I am glad that in most instances it didnt come. The fact is that no matter what the medium, there is little most of us can do to protect ourselves from a single individual determined to cause harm. Whether that tool of destruction is a gun, car or airplane, how much security can adequately protect the public 100 percent? The answer is that it cant. Keep in mind that Mr. Stacks used HIS OWN AIRPLANE in the attack. Our only defense is to recognize the symtoms of rage or mental illness that infects these individuals and help them to seek assistance before their thoughts turn into actions. No matter how much security we may think we need, even a "police state" type of world finds it very difficult to stop one person. I had the chance to read Mr. Staks "menifesto" part of it was logically written out, but quickly deteriorated to jabbering rage at the end. This was obviously a deeply troubled man who in some cases had brought his economic failings upon himself. It takes an extremely disturbed individual to carry such actions out. This type of intent is certainly not unique. Do we suddenly start prosecuting the postal service every time there is a shooting? How about the auto industry when an angry wife runs over her husband? The general aviation community NEEDS a proactive and rapid response to such situations. One disturbed individual is not endemic of the ENTIRE aviation community and NBAA and AOPA should be quick, very quick to point that out. This keeps the "sensationalism" out and allows logic to prevail. For the sake of our industry I hope these organizations are listening. I have been relieved to see that in most cases, the tragedy in Austin has generally NOT been used to bash GA. After all the negative press of the last 2 years, I was with many in the community waiting for what seemed to be the inevitable grilling that GA and business aviation would take in the press. I am glad that in most instances it didnt come.

The fact is that no matter what the medium, there is little most of us can do to protect ourselves from a single individual determined to cause harm. Whether that tool of destruction is a gun, car or airplane, how much security can adequately protect the public 100 percent? The answer is that it cant. Keep in mind that Mr. Stacks used HIS OWN AIRPLANE in the attack. Our only defense is to recognize the symtoms of rage or mental illness that infects these individuals and help them to seek assistance before their thoughts turn into actions. No matter how much security we may think we need, even a “police state” type of world finds it very difficult to stop one person.

I had the chance to read Mr. Staks “menifesto” part of it was logically written out, but quickly deteriorated to jabbering rage at the end. This was obviously a deeply troubled man who in some cases had brought his economic failings upon himself. It takes an extremely disturbed individual to carry such actions out. This type of intent is certainly not unique. Do we suddenly start prosecuting the postal service every time there is a shooting? How about the auto industry when an angry wife runs over her husband?

The general aviation community NEEDS a proactive and rapid response to such situations. One disturbed individual is not endemic of the ENTIRE aviation community and NBAA and AOPA should be quick, very quick to point that out. This keeps the “sensationalism” out and allows logic to prevail. For the sake of our industry I hope these organizations are listening.

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