this pilot has made a name for himself. http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=f658e143-be93-4b08-90b0-491d74a3cbf7
Title: Re: Santa monica Flyby
Post by: Mongoose on December 09, 2015, 10:39:09 PM
According to a number of stories, this flyby happened in 2008. This pilot ended up dying in a crash in 2013. The video shows an impressive show. But it was reckless and dangerous on many levels, not the least of which was making a bunch of people think Santa Monica was under attack.
Title: Re: Santa monica Flyby
Post by: SFRT - Frenchy on December 10, 2015, 12:10:55 AM
Civilians ... :uhoh
Title: Re: Santa monica Flyby
Post by: MiloMorai on December 10, 2015, 09:18:16 AM
onica Pier Pilot who buzzed the Santa Monica Pier crashes plane in China September 18, 2013|By Dan Weikel
A pilot who twice lost his flying license for buzzing the Santa Monica Pier and illegally selling rides to the public was missing after he crashed his small plane in China, state news media reported.
David G. Riggs was reportedly flying a Lancair 320, a high-performance single-engine aircraft made from a kit, when he struck the surface of a lake outside Shenyang, where he was planning to perform in an air show.
An 18-year-old woman serving as his translator was killed in the crash, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Witnesses said Riggs was practicing a stunt in the rain that required him to gently touch the wheels on the water to produce a skiing effect. Apparently, the landing gear or another part of the plane caught the water.
Xinhua News Agency reported an investigation was getting underway Tuesday as teams recovered the wreckage and searched for Riggs. The body of the translator was found, the agency reported.
Riggs, whose aviation company is based in Studio City, is one of the most notorious private pilots in Southern California.
In November 2008, Riggs made several low-level passes over the Santa Monica Pier in an Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros, a Czechoslovakian-built jet trainer once popular with Soviet bloc air forces.
The Federal Aviation Administration revoked Riggs’ flight privileges for a year and he was convicted of recklessly operating an aircraft, a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 60 days of community service and 60 days in county jail, but he only served a few days due to overcrowding.
Last November, Riggs lost his pilot’s license for another year for selling rides to the public in an L-39 without FAA approval. The enforcement action stemmed from an accident in May 2012 in which another L-39 crashed in the desert outside Boulder City, Nev., killing a veteran pilot and his passenger.
Authorities said Riggs was flying with another passenger in his own L-39 next to the ill-fated plane shortly before it crashed. He and the other pilot had sold rides to eight people who traveled to Boulder City Municipal Airport.
Title: Re: Santa monica Flyby
Post by: Maverick on December 10, 2015, 12:10:36 PM
Play stupid games win stupid prizes.
Title: Re: Santa monica Flyby
Post by: Lusche on December 10, 2015, 01:47:23 PM
Fascinating back story: http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=f658e143-be93-4b08-90b0-491d74a3cbf7
Title: Re: Santa monica Flyby
Post by: NatCigg on December 10, 2015, 02:55:11 PM
stunt man : ok im going to skim on the water like boss, its going to be sweet.
guy in crowd: ahh
stunt man: yeah, and im going to take this translator with me so you know what i say when im skimming the lake.
guy in crowd: but its raining and we cant see the lake very well
stunt man: that's why i got this translator, lets go.