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Please Mr President can I Fly my Piper Cub out of Texas to Mexico?

Maurice Kirk — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:32:00 GMT

President Barack Obama

The White House

Washington DC

United States of America

17^th March 2009

Dear Sir,

General Patton's WW2 D-Day Piper Cub Reg. G-KIRK

In February last year, about a hundred miles off Haiti, Caribbean, my US army 1943 Piper Cub experienced engine failure and ditched in the sea. For the next three hours I huddled, freezing in a leaky life raft, waist high in water, desperately trying to keep my satellite distress beacon up out of the water!

Just as the sun was going down, expecting to be breakfast for the sharks, I heard the magic drone of a black and red US Coast Guard Jay Hawk helicopter, out of Great Inagua US Air Base, piloted by Julie Kuck with her merry rescue team.

Safely on dry land I quickly bought another aging J3 Piper Cub in Daytona, Florida, in order to carry on my life's dream, a ‘flight around the world'. I had competed in the 2001 London to Sydney Air Race sponsored by a benevolent Arizonian who, having read my web site, laughed so much paid my $50,000 ticket! A world record from Norfolk Island to Brisbane, Australia for a US J3 Cub and then engine failure with a spectacular crash, in Japan, are just a couple of stories in my travels.

Then things in Texas all went, may I suggest, somewhat ‘pear shaped'.

Whilst ‘test flying' my 1946 little yellow Cub out of a field near Houston, Texas, before setting off for the Falkland Islands, South America, I decided to thank Commander in Chief of US Coast Guard for saving my life. The plans were to land near Crawford and walk/taxi into the P49 Restriction Air Traffic Zone and deliver a note, similar to this, at the gate of the Texas residence. President Bush was away at the time.

I was, I believe, quite misunderstood and was arrested and deported back to UK with a suggestion from the US Embassy suggesting I will not be allowed to re enter the United States of America again. The Federal Aviation Authority [enclosed], however, telephoned me personally to assure me my flight, subject to paperwork, landing in farmer Hawkins's field, near Crawford, was no aviation offence.

I humbly request that I may be allowed to retrieve my little Cub in Houston and fly her direct across the Mexican border, one way, in order I may fulfil my dream of flying the Andes and to our British outpost.

Yours faithfully,

Maurice J Kirk BVSc, dob 12.3.45, Marlpits, St Donats Aerodrome, Llantwit Major, Wales CF61 1ZB

PS Enclosed US Pilot's report

To whom it may concern:

Brian Throop of the FAA in Washington D.C stated to me on 6/20/08 via telephone that as far as he knew there were no known airspace infractions or FAA violations made by Mr. Maurice Kirk. I have also spoke with Mr. Throop on several occasions in regards to Mr. Kirk. Tel: (202) 538-9013.

Also on 5/01/08 in taking Mr. Kirk back to his aircraft in Crawford, Texas. Mr. Arnold Theymeyer of the FAA in Ft. Worth Texas had a phone conversation with Mr. Kirk stating that he had committed no offenses, and was given authorization to fly his aircraft. My wife, Kandy Howell was also present and spoke with Mr. Arnold Theymeyer.

Alvin M. Howell

Private Pilot/Airframe and Power Plant Technician/Inspection Authorization with 36 years experience in the aviation industry. Have had a US private pilot's license since 1974. I also work for Standard Aero located at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston as a QA inspector on corporate Business Jets.

My wife and I have a business that provides Safety Compliance Training to Aviation Maintenance Certified Repair Stations.

AMT Training Solutions

http://www.amt-1.com/

Thanks for your time

Sincerely

Alvin M. Howell

22715 Piper Rd

Needville, Tx. 77461

(979) 553-3040 home

(281) 974-6593 cell

30lb Lighter

Kirstie Kirk — Mon, 19 May 2008 09:27:00 GMT

Hello

I was correct. M did stop eating while at the Houston Deportation Centre and has returned some 30lb lighter than he set off. He always loses weight when he does an appreciable amount of flying (so much flying to do, so little time to eat...) but 30lb in a short time is rather excessive and he looks positively scrawny. Last Saturday found us in casualty as he was so unwell. He was discharged to rest, drink lots of water and eat small light meals - he has done none of these and is now having difficulty in eating at all. However, little changes and pale, wan and thin as he is he has started to tackle the CAA in an effort to have his licences restored.

I gather from the FCO that Houston Deportation Centre described M as being difficult to deal with ....(not so easy to live with sometimes).

KK (M's wife)

Heading Home to the UK

Kirstie Kirk — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:34:00 GMT

Hello

Have received some encouraging news from FCO this afternoon (Thurs.). M is expected to be home soon.

I have had no opportunity to speak to him but I gather that he has telephoned friends in Texas. I am told that he does not sound too well. I was probably correct in my assumption that he would stop eating in a protest re his predicament.

Let's see what tomorrow brings. The next post may be by M.

KK (M's wife)

Nil Information

Kirstie Kirk — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:26:00 GMT

Hello (Monday pm)

M's friend travelled to Austin deportation centre to visit m today - M is allowed one person to visit for one hour once a week - Monday between 9am and 1pm.

He was not allowed access to M as M is in "segregation"? Our equivalent of solitary confinement, I suppose.

On receiving this information I telephoned the consular office in Houston. Perhaps more information can be discovered tomorrow.

It may be that he prefers his own company at the moment.

I hope that he is not refusing food - he alluded to this when being held at Austin State Hospital and I'm afraid that the conditions that were frustrating him then are now magnified.

It would be good to know when he is likely to be back here in GB. I certainly find this somewhat protracted "nil information" time rather difficult, not least because one can only speculate on the true situation.

KK (M's wife)

Only One Step Up From Jail

Kirstie Kirk — Mon, 12 May 2008 04:08:00 GMT

Good evening (Sunday pm)

Still no positive news. I understand that M will be deported, probably within 10 working days if all is straightforward (can any of this be straightforward - none has been so far).

I haven't spoken to M for 10 days and hope that he is OK. I suspect that that he's bearing up. I was told that a deportation centre is "one step up from jail". Perhaps he's more comfortable than here at home.

His friends haven't managed to track all his belongings - some appear to be missing including his video records of this trip and his GPS.

Hope very much to hear more soon.

KK (M's wife)

Out of the Frying Pan into a Sink

Kirstie Kirk — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:42:00 GMT

Hello

(Wednesday am in GB)

M is still being held at a deportation centre at Houston. This is confirmed by consular staff. There is no indication yet of when he will travel to GB, but I hope to hear soon (there is still washing up waiting).

I have been told a variety of stories regarding this second detention though a clear common theme is that he was offered the opportunity of release on the condition that he signed papers accepting that he was intoxicated. He maintained that he was not and so would not sign. At this juncture the immigration/deportation system came into play.

I have not spoken to M since Thursday and I don't think that consular staff have spoken to him yet. M's friends have been unable to speak to him by telephone as he has no money to buy a ‘phone card - and couldn't be sent any until we could quote his "alien number". This number was given to me yesterday afternoon.

Hopefully, he will be able to make contact soon. He will be pleased to hear that his little aircraft is safe. We are trying to track his belongings, but this is not easy without direct communication.

I expect that he is fine.

KK (M's wife)

Deportation from United States

Pie2211 — Tue, 06 May 2008 03:50:00 GMT

Hello

Today I received news of M. I was in contact with the consular office late on Friday. The saga isn't over yet.

I was told that he was invited to a restaurant for a beer (probably Thursday evening). He said he was outside sitting on a bench with other people, when he was picked up by the police. (This is in line with the information that I initially received via the FCO on Friday.)

Police stated that he had been seen walking around town aimlessly with a gas can.

M believes that the secret service traced him to this location by him using his credit card and the public intoxication charge was used to hold him until the Secret Service arrived. Three agents told Maurice he landed on a road near Crawford, and this is the reason for his deportation. Robert Rutt 237(a)(4)(A)(2) of immigration act.

As admission you have engaged or at any time after admission were engaged in a criminal activity which endangers public safety or national security.

He was given the opportunity for secret service to drive him to the airport for flight to London, and would not be deported. But he did not want the charges on his record for offenses he did not commit.

When he refused, they shackled him in hand and ankle cuffs and chains, and taken to Deportation Center in Houston.

M wants the media to know about this.

KK (M's wife)

Reunited With His Little Aircraft

Kirstie Kirk — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:56:00 GMT

Good morning.

I spoke to M yesterday who confirmed that he had been released. He was planning to fly his little aircraft to stay with friends prior to his return - expecting to be here in UK early next week.

I am humbled by the many kind messages and offers of help that I have received. Most have responded warmly to his latest scrape, though he has clearly exasperated some people.

The FCO certainly know their stuff - if one has to get into a scrape abroad, then a Brit is the best nationality to be.

I have been asked if I expect M to continue flying...I don't expect it, but am absolutely sure that he will. He had two hours to reflect on his future (which could have been very short indeed) after ditching into the Caribbean. I don't think that he can be put off.

KK (M's wife)

One Flew the Cukoo's Nest

Kirstie Kirk — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:11:00 GMT

Hello

M has been told that he will be released tomorrow morning.

This has been confirmed as being the understanding of the consulate representative helping him. He is expected to be released at 10 or 11 o'clock local time to local police in order that his belongings can be returned and then taken to his aircraft. I am not clear if he will then be able to fly or whether he will need to arrange transport. I guess that Secret Services will want to check his route before he leaves. As far as I can establish there remains a court hearing at 1pm relating to M's being detained but I'm not too sure about this.

M is in pretty good spirits though perhaps suffering cabin fever at having been restricted for 4/5 days.

On his release I'm sure that a much clearer picture of what happened will emerge.

Hopefully tomorrows events will run smoothly and M will be home soon.

KK (M's wife)

PS the firearms in use when M was arrested were 9mm Berettas (not Smith and Wessons).

In Front of the Judge Wednesday

Kirstie Kirk — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:26:00 GMT

Good morning

I haven’t spoken to M as there seems to be a problem with our landline – lots of buzzing and whirring and intermittent stops (probably overhanging branches). He has left a very brief message on my mobile phone.

It sounds as though the situation is becoming more serious – if I am reading it correctly.

It seems that it has been suggested that M was actually going to land on the lawn of the ranch (did not realise that ranches had lawns) but was prevented from doing so by bad weather. I think this very unlikely.

M is a very proficient aviator who has flown around much of the world in this type of light aircraft, specifically designed for tricky manoeuvres onto battle fields during WWII. If M had intended to land on the lawn he would have done so – bad weather or not (and he has experienced some truly awful weather in the past).

I understand that he is to appear before a judge in Texas (I don’t know where exactly) on Wednesday. I am unable to contact him as I don’t know in which department of Austin State Hospital he is being held and can get no further than the switchboard.

I don’t know whether he has been questioned by the Secret Service yet, though I think that this is likely.

M is somewhat eccentric and is quite capable of rather innocently making such a gesture as leaving a message at the ranch gate for the President. He was and is very grateful the US coastguard retrieved so quickly and efficiently from the Caribbean and has already visited the individuals involved to thank them personally.

It has not been out of character for M to visit famous people on his travels. He visited Sir Edmund Hillary during his flight around New Zealand and was presented with a new pair of JR Williams boots at the end of the London to Sydney Air Race by John Howard, then Prime Minister of Australia.

I hope that the US authorities are sympathetic to a rather one-off English eccentric who is bumbling round the world in an 80 mph (maximum ground speed) very old Piper Cub aircraft.

KK (M’s wife)