Absolutely when someone breaks a law/regulation they cross the line -- no question Transport Canada can throw the book at him for invading airspace and educate everyone about the no-go zones for safety of air travel. Laws or regulations are put in place to prevent accidents and damage which are reasonably predictable. Speed limits, no go zones for flight are just examples of limitations on personal liberty we can mostly agree prevent harm. However...
There is already a distinction between breaking a specific law, and just being reckless in our country. It should be possible for people who are not breaking a law or regulation to express themselves in this society despite our lack of sympathy for their point of view. I personally regard thrill seeking behaviours by climbers and boarders as potentially endangering rescue personnel and increasing health care costs, but no one is arrested for those behaviours because they do not break a law -- it is not a predictable outcome that most people who climb will need rescue, so thus far no law says you can be arrested for climbing. But I own this as my opinion, appreciate many people will have other opinions, and know there is no consensus.
Photobombing the Chuckwagon races was his intention, and it failed miserably, but had he succeeded, charges could have rightfully been laid, just as base jumping off buildings leads to trespass charges. People who own buildings or stage events have a reasonable expectation that someone with little judgement or an axe to grind will not expose them to liability or cause damage that they will be forced to set right. Next time you want to advertise fella, bid on a Chuck canvas at the auction.
But we should beware, for hidden in this story is a fine point about what should be the role of state arrest. It is a slippery slope for Calgary police to prosecute people for what they might have caused in spite of the fact they have not caused it. Like the movie *Minority Report*, the role of government in preventing harm with an attitude of determinism is really an issue here. In spite of the "could-haves" he did not in fact kill or injure or damage anything, nor was it a foregone conclusion. To boot, the Calgary police appear to be bullying to prevent copycats.
On a personal note, I wistfully wish I had seen the flight first-hand because in this world there are precious few things that pick up the spirit and inspire the soul regardless of the landing, which is one of the message of the movie "Up".
David Flier - 9 years ago
I sincerely hope Transport Canada and the police throw the book at this fool to the fullest extent of the law!! He needs to be made an example of in order to dissuade other idiots from doing something so reckless. Among the rules in the Aeronautics Act which he obviously violated include: 1) Failure to operate and maintain a functioning altitude reporting Mode C transponder, and 2) Failure to establish and maintain two way radio communication with Air Traffic Control, and 3) Failure to obtain permission to enter Class C controlled airspace. For that matter, all the morons who obviously aided and abetted his departure should be rounded up and dealt with by the courts, after which they won't be laughing and cheering like they were in the video. The geese that brought down the Airbus 320 in the Hudson River a few years ago were way smaller that this nut and his lawn chair, who certainly could have brought down a commercial jet. Frankly, all of you who voted on this survey that it was only a "harmless prank" need to have your heads examined, as the low altitude airspace around Calgary is some of the busiest in the country.
Candace - 9 years ago
This guy could be the first inmate at my proposed IDIOT PRISON. He clearly needs time away from his warped version of reality to sit quietly in a 4X8 cell and develop some critical thinking skills of which he is evidently totally lacking in. Society seems to be inclined to give people who do stuff like this a pass. We need to start setting the bar higher and holding each other to a greater degree of accountability. This moron actually thinks this was funny and has stated he would do it again. If his air tank or chair and injured me, a loved one or even my property I would sue his sorry ass for every last red cent he and his little cleaning business would make from now until the day they put him 6 feet under. Would you be willing to hire anyone to do anything who is unable to engage critical thinking prior to making a decision?
Lorna - 9 years ago
This irresponsible stunt could have cost people or animals their lives. What if it had caused a plane accident or landing on the Stampede grounds when the chuckwagons were racing? This fool should have thought of the safety of others first. Makes me wonder how responsible his cleaning company really is.
Wayne Reimer - 9 years ago
I spent nearly 4 decades in the aviation industry in Calgary. Over the years, I witnessed more than a few bone-head stunts, and I must say this ranks right up there with Cal Cavendish's infamous flight in the 1970's in terms of idiocy. SO many REALLY bad things could have happened that could well have resulted in serious injuries and/or the deaths of not only this intrepid "aviator", but many on the ground beneath him. Would he be laughing today, I wonder, if his air tank had become detached over a residential area on the ground?
BAD move. I sincerely hope Transport Canada does decide to pursue charges...this could and should be a VERY costly "life lesson" for this young man
Absolutely when someone breaks a law/regulation they cross the line -- no question Transport Canada can throw the book at him for invading airspace and educate everyone about the no-go zones for safety of air travel. Laws or regulations are put in place to prevent accidents and damage which are reasonably predictable. Speed limits, no go zones for flight are just examples of limitations on personal liberty we can mostly agree prevent harm. However...
There is already a distinction between breaking a specific law, and just being reckless in our country. It should be possible for people who are not breaking a law or regulation to express themselves in this society despite our lack of sympathy for their point of view. I personally regard thrill seeking behaviours by climbers and boarders as potentially endangering rescue personnel and increasing health care costs, but no one is arrested for those behaviours because they do not break a law -- it is not a predictable outcome that most people who climb will need rescue, so thus far no law says you can be arrested for climbing. But I own this as my opinion, appreciate many people will have other opinions, and know there is no consensus.
Photobombing the Chuckwagon races was his intention, and it failed miserably, but had he succeeded, charges could have rightfully been laid, just as base jumping off buildings leads to trespass charges. People who own buildings or stage events have a reasonable expectation that someone with little judgement or an axe to grind will not expose them to liability or cause damage that they will be forced to set right. Next time you want to advertise fella, bid on a Chuck canvas at the auction.
But we should beware, for hidden in this story is a fine point about what should be the role of state arrest. It is a slippery slope for Calgary police to prosecute people for what they might have caused in spite of the fact they have not caused it. Like the movie *Minority Report*, the role of government in preventing harm with an attitude of determinism is really an issue here. In spite of the "could-haves" he did not in fact kill or injure or damage anything, nor was it a foregone conclusion. To boot, the Calgary police appear to be bullying to prevent copycats.
On a personal note, I wistfully wish I had seen the flight first-hand because in this world there are precious few things that pick up the spirit and inspire the soul regardless of the landing, which is one of the message of the movie "Up".
I sincerely hope Transport Canada and the police throw the book at this fool to the fullest extent of the law!! He needs to be made an example of in order to dissuade other idiots from doing something so reckless. Among the rules in the Aeronautics Act which he obviously violated include: 1) Failure to operate and maintain a functioning altitude reporting Mode C transponder, and 2) Failure to establish and maintain two way radio communication with Air Traffic Control, and 3) Failure to obtain permission to enter Class C controlled airspace. For that matter, all the morons who obviously aided and abetted his departure should be rounded up and dealt with by the courts, after which they won't be laughing and cheering like they were in the video. The geese that brought down the Airbus 320 in the Hudson River a few years ago were way smaller that this nut and his lawn chair, who certainly could have brought down a commercial jet. Frankly, all of you who voted on this survey that it was only a "harmless prank" need to have your heads examined, as the low altitude airspace around Calgary is some of the busiest in the country.
This guy could be the first inmate at my proposed IDIOT PRISON. He clearly needs time away from his warped version of reality to sit quietly in a 4X8 cell and develop some critical thinking skills of which he is evidently totally lacking in. Society seems to be inclined to give people who do stuff like this a pass. We need to start setting the bar higher and holding each other to a greater degree of accountability. This moron actually thinks this was funny and has stated he would do it again. If his air tank or chair and injured me, a loved one or even my property I would sue his sorry ass for every last red cent he and his little cleaning business would make from now until the day they put him 6 feet under. Would you be willing to hire anyone to do anything who is unable to engage critical thinking prior to making a decision?
This irresponsible stunt could have cost people or animals their lives. What if it had caused a plane accident or landing on the Stampede grounds when the chuckwagons were racing? This fool should have thought of the safety of others first. Makes me wonder how responsible his cleaning company really is.
I spent nearly 4 decades in the aviation industry in Calgary. Over the years, I witnessed more than a few bone-head stunts, and I must say this ranks right up there with Cal Cavendish's infamous flight in the 1970's in terms of idiocy. SO many REALLY bad things could have happened that could well have resulted in serious injuries and/or the deaths of not only this intrepid "aviator", but many on the ground beneath him. Would he be laughing today, I wonder, if his air tank had become detached over a residential area on the ground?
BAD move. I sincerely hope Transport Canada does decide to pursue charges...this could and should be a VERY costly "life lesson" for this young man