Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Pilot Lounge > Hangar Talk
Aerial survey "mystery plane" over Quincy, MA >

Aerial survey "mystery plane" over Quincy, MA

Notices
Hangar Talk For non-aviation-related discussion and aviation threads that don't belong elsewhere

Aerial survey "mystery plane" over Quincy, MA

Old 05-13-2013, 09:52 AM
  #1  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 584
Default Aerial survey "mystery plane" over Quincy, MA

Not sure where to put this, so might as well start it here and admins can move it if they want. If nothing else it's an intersting story. Maybe some in our little aviation world know something.

I have some articles and a pic below. I'll put what's known into bullet points to save you time.

-In the last couple weeks residents of Quincy, MA say one or more small aircraft have been loitering and maneuvering over the area, primarily during the overnight hours, and causing a nuisance.
-Residents and the mayor contacted the FAA and were told the FAA was aware of the flying, but could not provide any more info.
- A resident snaged a photo of the plane (below). It's a C182, N906TM, and there is clearly an imaging pod behind the left main.
-The registration was traced to a Virginia based corporation called RKT Productions. Someone traced the company to a DC-based author, activist, and hip-hop artist.
-Conspiracy theories abound.
-Not clear if they're hiring pilots

Interesting if nothing else. Discuss, discuss.



Photos show mystery aircraft over Quincy is not a drone - Quincy - Your Town - Boston.com

Mystery Aircraft Frightens Quincy Residents « CBS Boston
MikeB525 is offline  
Old 05-13-2013, 10:04 AM
  #2  
Flies for Fun
 
Joined APC: May 2012
Position: CE-172 Heavy
Posts: 358
Default

It's a North Korean spy plane.
Sata 4000 RP is offline  
Old 05-13-2013, 10:28 AM
  #3  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 584
Default

Originally Posted by Sata 4000 RP View Post
It's a North Korean spy plane.
If it was an Aeronca C2 with one of those old timey flash bulb cameras, I'd agree.
MikeB525 is offline  
Old 05-13-2013, 10:41 AM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
USMCFLYR's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,835
Default

“It’s frightening, not just weird, but frightening,” said one resident of the Wollaston section.
Really.
Some people are so easily unnerved, they wouldn't know what to do if there was REALLY something to be scared of! It must be terrible to live your life in such a state of constant fear!
USMCFLYR is offline  
Old 05-13-2013, 10:57 AM
  #5  
Moderator
 
Cubdriver's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
Default

You could hire another Cessna to pursue to its home airport. If it goes in circles it might be possible to launch when it looks like it is leaving the region, and you can figure out the endurance and range using published data. It may be an FBI plane doing some a mission (be careful). Before doing a recon mission I would try to find out if it is them, maybe let the FAA know what you plan to do first, and see if that gets a response from anyone.

[mod note] this belongs in Hangar Talk for now.
Cubdriver is offline  
Old 05-13-2013, 10:59 AM
  #6  
Working weekends
 
satpak77's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 2,384
Default

Nothing to be gained by discussing a C-206 that the FAA has acknowledged awareness of its activities. End of story. I recommend we move on to other topics.
satpak77 is offline  
Old 05-13-2013, 11:01 AM
  #7  
Moderator
 
Cubdriver's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
Default

It's a 182 isn't it? N906TM is the tail number given. From the picture it looks lie it is equipped with some sort of special equipment on the port side, a camera or a magnetometer.
Cubdriver is offline  
Old 05-13-2013, 11:08 AM
  #8  
Working weekends
 
satpak77's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 2,384
Default

yes 182 looks like, my mistake. I have the same opinion.
satpak77 is offline  
Old 05-13-2013, 11:11 AM
  #9  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,374
Default

No different than joe private pilot flying around in public airspace with a camera. Who cares? Conspiracy theorists are always going to have conspiracy theories...because they are paranoid. Americans that have a reasonable expectation of privacy in this day and age are kidding themselves.
e6bpilot is offline  
Old 05-13-2013, 11:21 AM
  #10  
Moderator
 
Cubdriver's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
Default

From the new clips it sounds like more of a noise issue at 3am. There may also be some privacy concerns, ie. Google publishing pictures of everyone's house from a minivan.
Cubdriver is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ssnider1205
Part 91 and Low Time
8
06-22-2012 06:09 PM
MUAviator
Part 91 and Low Time
8
03-13-2012 08:31 PM
KDUA
Part 91 and Low Time
48
01-09-2012 09:13 AM
FlyJSH
Hiring News
0
11-23-2011 05:49 PM
tmahoney
Part 135
7
02-18-2009 08:32 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices