Bear in the Air

[flying junior]

Heading east from Atascadero on California 41 the other day, I had a rude awakening there just east of the intersection where James Dean died all those years ago. I was zipping along with the wind roaring in my ears when a most offensive siren noise shattered the peace. The CHP officer informed me that I'd been clocked at 80 MPH by another officer in an airplane, and I was going to get a ticket.

(Thank goodness they didn't nail me on that straightaway a few miles before!)

It had been a glorious day of carving curves and joyful motorcycling up to that point. But no more. As I drove away with the ticket in my wallet and gloom in my heart, I tried to think of a way to avoid such mega-bummers. A radar detector gives some defense against radar, and wide-awake motorcycling in general helps defend against getting clocked.

But the bear in the air is deadly. It would only be a fluke ever to see one of those planes in action.

Someone could make a bunch of money selling a radio scanner that would pick up on the radio traffic between the cop in the air and the one on the ground. That's the only way I could figure to deal with that sort of speed-cop activity.

Anyone have any words of wisdom on this subject? Does the CHP routinely make public the times and areas where it intends to fly the enforcement planes? Or does a blue sky, fluffy coulds and calm winds just mean you have to worry?

 

[SPORT]

Heading east from Atascadero on California 41 the other day, I had a rude awakening there just east of the intersection where James Dean died all those years ago. I was zipping along with the wind roaring in my ears when a most offensive siren noise shattered the peace. The CHP officer informed me that I'd been clocked at 80 MPH by another officer in an airplane, and I was going to get a ticket.
(Thank goodness they didn't nail me on that straightaway a few miles before!)

It had been a glorious day of carving curves and joyful motorcycling up to that point. But no more. As I drove away with the ticket in my wallet and gloom in my heart, I tried to think of a way to avoid such mega-bummers. A radar detector gives some defense against radar, and wide-awake motorcycling in general helps defend against getting clocked.

But the bear in the air is deadly. It would only be a fluke ever to see one of those planes in action.

Someone could make a bunch of money selling a radio scanner that would pick up on the radio traffic between the cop in the air and the one on the ground. That's the only way I could figure to deal with that sort of speed-cop activity.

Anyone have any words of wisdom on this subject? Does the CHP routinely make public the times and areas where it intends to fly the enforcement planes? Or does a blue sky, fluffy coulds and calm winds just mean you have to worry?

I had been an A&P (airplane) mechanic for an FBO in Fresno CA for several years where we maintained the only two CHP aircrafts for the central valley. It was interesting to learn that if it was stormy or overcast they would not fly. Also, there was a number of times that the radio anouncer (who usually announces WHERE they flew) was apparantly mis-informed as BOTH aircrafts were in the hanger being worked on. This was quite frequently used to keep the listeners down on their speed.

 

[wfooshee]

Airplanes are not that hard to spot. You can see them from miles away, flying lazy, low circles around the highway. I am absolutely amazed that they actually catch people with those things.

Probably falls under the "wide-awake" part of riding.

 

[twowheelnut]

Anyone have any words of wisdom on this subject?

Yeah, when you enter an area that has the 'Patrolled by Aircraft' signs, look up.

 

[odot]

Anyone have any words of wisdom on this subject?

Yeah, when you enter an area that has the 'Patrolled by Aircraft' signs, look up.

what?.........actual words of wisdom? say it ain't so............

 

[GunMD]

Anyone have any words of wisdom on this subject?

Yeah, when you enter an area that has the 'Patrolled by Aircraft' signs, look up.

what?.........actual words of wisdom? say it ain't so............

He's a little off today...damn bird.

 

[dcarver]

I don't recall ever seeing a 'Beware the bear in the air' sign along that highway. Is it a legal requirment? If the sign doesn't exist, can he beat this ticket?

 

[twowheelnut]

I don't recall ever seeing a 'Beware the bear in the air' sign along that highway. Is it a legal requirment? If the sign doesn't exist, can he beat this ticket?

Paging exskibum, ESQ. exskibum to the Bat Line, STAT!

 

[wheatonFJR]

I thinks yer speed limit sign is all they need.

 

[Geezer]

A few years ago there was a big news broadcast about a guy who was clocked at over 200 mph on a motorcycle. Turns out that the bike wasn't capable of actually going that fast. The guy had been by aircraft and the guy in the plane simply hit the button too soon.

 

[weekend rider]

That is what those mile markers are fr on the side of the road.

Are cops getting lazy?

What is next radio controled planes ?

pretty son it ill be tickets from the cops recliner with his remote controled plane.. h34r:

 

[wheatonFJR]

That is what those mile markers are fr on the side of the road.
Are cops getting lazy?

What is next radio controled planes ?

pretty son it ill be tickets from the cops recliner with his remote controled plane.. h34r:

Just be glad there isn't a Predator Drone circling up there with a heat-seeking missile...

...been watchin too many "Terminator" movies I guess.

 

[Bandit12]

What I'd like to try (if I ever got stopped for speeding, something I NEVER do :glare: ) is take it to court and tell the judge, Sir? The sign said speed enforced by aircraft. The aircraft never pulled me over, never even landed. How do I know the officer that stopped me had the correct vehicle and how do I know what my actual clocked speed was? I wasn't able to view the device that was used to clock me.

Or the same scenario for being stopped on radar. The sign said speed enforced by radar. The radar didn't enforce the speeding, it merely monitored the vehicle speed. The officer enforced the speeding violation.

I know I'd lose and probably get my butt chewed out by the judge, but if I was guilty, I'd still like to do it anyway, I like being a smartass. :yahoo:

Ray

 

[Roy Epperson]

I know I'd lose and probably get my butt chewed out by the judge, but if I was guilty, I'd still like to do it anyway, I like being a smartass. :yahoo:
Ray

Better hope the officers don't show up, or you will be helping fill the State Coffers....

 

[Ignacio]

As we drift off into political and under-informed oblivion. :angry2: When I nobody answer the original questions, see "coffer", "tell the judge", or anecdotes of tangentially related 200mph motorcycles...it's time to clicky on the magic admin close button.

Move along...nothing new or important to see here.