Posted on 09/29/2009 11:53:37 PM PDT by Cindy
“to steal a plane only to find the battery was dead and stole a car and rammed it through a gate”
Sounds like a movie. A plane doesn’t have keys right? But then this person is able to (hotwire?) a car
MOst small planes DO have keys and ignition switches.
"Don't Nuke Me, Bro!"
A 182 has about a 4 hour flight duration, and 500 mile range, depending on the winds, so that airplane was back on the ground before noon. Somewhere. If the gas tanks were not full when he took it, then the above figures would be less.
If the plane was not crashed in the wilderness somewhere, then it was landed at an airport for refueling. Someone has seen that airplane, most likely.
MOst small planes DO have keys and ignition switches.
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The ignition switches used in most planes (the majority are OLD OLD OLD and loose loose loose) are very similar to what you would find in a 1960’s car or a garden tractor with the exception of having 3 run positions (left mag , right mag , both mags) ... you can start most airplanes with a screwdriver... This however was a really sweet new Cessna ,,, he would have needed to use a great deal of force on the lock or wired around.
If I’m not mistaken after 911 alerts to GA were that Planes were to have empty gas tanks or near empty when not in use. Not sure if that still applies.
I’m in the process of giving my RV6A an annual right now.
When the find the guy, will he have a rectal impaction due to a large wad of C4?
It has much better performance at high altitude than a 152 or 172. I would look for it heading to Alaska and on to Russia. Going south would be hard to hide. Flying in mountains, if you don't kill yourself, could hide it from radar.
If all I wanted to do was carry a suit case, I would buy a flyable 152 for $10-15K. It would not be missed and you could keep it at any airport in the country. This plane has much better value as a drug hauler or resale after parting out. Not to mention stolen/destroyed for insurance. Lots of options besides terrorism.
One more thought, these aircraft are VERY easy to take off, but it takes a pilot to land it in one piece. (nutcase pilot wannabe?)
I have a bad feeling.
LLS
We bring them in and hanger them. They set there low fuel until we are ready to go out again, and we call the FBO and have them pull the plane out and top it off, so it is ready to go when we get there.
You don’t need a key or a battery to start some engines, they can be started by turning the magnetos on and spinning the prop by hand. The mag switch is used to short out the ignition.
There would be no electrical system however.
It would be suicide to attempt to fly the coast or coastal range this time of year. The only way to get to Alaska would be to fly the AlCan Highway, and you can bet that everyone and their dog is going to be watching that route. Heading south and staying out in the very rural areas would make for a fast trip to Mexico. Lots of the rural airports are not manned, just having card pumps, you drop in, use the card and fill your own tank and go. No one would even see you if you avoid busy airports. Considering that it would take about $250 to fill the tanks, the thief would need good cards or plenty of cash to make a trip of any distance.
Amish again!
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| N2183P has Assigned/Multiple Records | ||||
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| Aircraft Description | ||||||
| Serial Number | T18208470 | Type Registration | Co-Owned | |||
| Manufacturer Name | CESSNA | Certificate Issue Date | 01/09/2006 | |||
| Model | T182T | Status | Valid | |||
| Type Aircraft | Fixed Wing Single-Engine | Type Engine | Reciprocating | |||
| Pending Number Change | None | Dealer | No | |||
| Date Change Authorized | None | Mode S Code | 50355011 | |||
| MFR Year | 2005 | Fractional Owner | NO | |||
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| Registered Owner | ||||||
| Name | GARDINER PATRICK J | |||||
| Street | 6503 FARM TO MARKET RD | |||||
| City | BONNERS FERRY | State | IDAHO | |||
| County | BOUNDARY | Zip Code | 83805-4816 | |||
| Country | UNITED STATES | |||||
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| Airworthiness | ||||||
| Engine Manufacturer | LYCOMING | Classification | Standard | |||
| Engine Model | TI0-540 SER | Category | Normal | |||
| A/W Date | 12/06/2005 | |||||
| This is the most current Airworthiness Certificate data, however, it may not reflect the current aircraft configuration. For that information, see the aircraft record. A copy can be obtained at | ||||||
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Hand propping a Lycoming IO-540? Highly unlikely.....
I used to own a Pawnee with an 0-540 in it that I used to tow gliders. There is no way I would ever consider trying to hand prop that beast.....
Cessna singles have keys that control the ignition system and the starter. Hot-wiring is easier than with cars, but there's no way I'll post the method on a public forum.
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