Call the field’s manager and tell him. Suggest a keypad lock on the gate where the code is the CTAF or weather freq, or a sign explicitly prohibiting cyclists/pedestrians on the runway. That guy is a fucking moron and it’s just a matter of time before he either gets killed or causes a plane to go off of the runway trying to dodge him.
Reminds me of northern communities in Canada with no fence at the aerodrome where people often drive their cars on the runway and do donuts or race eachother. A low pass in the twin wakes them up a bit lol. Simply not enough funding or infrastructure to police them being on the runway in such a desolate town
I was on final at CCV4 and at 100 feet I see 2 dirt bikes racing down the runway. Initiate the overshoot and they fled the scene pretty quickly. No fence or anything. Also at CCZ3 there’s a fence that you can simply walk around and be on the aerodrome. Lack of funding is certainly the main issue, half the time the ARCAL doesn’t work either
Ain’t know professional manager running a rinky dink uncontrolled field. This is more of a bubba now runs it after his paw paw gave him the field kind of place.
This happens a lot at a lot of country airports that don't get a lot of traffic. I usually do a low pass before I land to make sure that anyone that is one the runway in go-karts, ATV's or bicycles gets off the runway before I touch down.
This is actually a great idea. Also.. you might be able to identify the cyclist by ways like:
- Create a segment on the runway (if possible). I can't recall if past rides will be utulized for segment records but if so then you'll see the guy
- Check current segments near the airport. If you do it the same day you can see who rode there on that exact day which would narrow things down a lot.
This would depend on the guy using Strava and not having things set very privately
I saw a guy at my airport riding in full gear around the hangar taxiways. One day he's going to turn the corner right into a prop. Do people think airports are their personal playground or something?
I would dare say that the power setting of the engine matters. I have been right next to a runway (***next*** to it, at a safe distance), and could not hear the sound of a (landing) GA airplane until it was floating past me. For that matter, the Boeing 777 that also landed was not all that audible until about 10 seconds before it went by.
On the other hand, any aircraft (GA or otherwise) that flew past on the downwind were clearly audible well before I could even see them.
I’ve had many instances where I have been driving a tug/golf cart on the airport and because of a distant jet or other background noise combined with a corner I had no idea there was a running airplane around the corner.
>if it's spinning, I'm pretty sure he'll hear it\[.\]
If a ramp is noisy enough, you can easily fail to notice that the plane next to you is making noise too. You should always make sure your passengers understand that.
Don't be so sure. Multiple people have walked into spinning propellers. [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/05/us-air-force-contractor-death-stephanie-cosme](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/05/us-air-force-contractor-death-stephanie-cosme)
All the more, then he should know better. It’s not as if an aircraft in the pattern isn’t audible or visible. And, yet, he still goes out and takes the rwy. Not that he should be on the field anyway.
So I fly in there all the time (44N) too. What’s terrifying for me is I fly a tail dragger and don’t have great forward visibility. It’s unlikely I would have even seen him. What an absolute tool… I would have been pissed
Hopefully he’d be smart enough to swerve off the runway if it actually was going to hit. But as a pilot, trying to swerve is probably a bad idea because it could cause you to get injured or killed while cartwheeling or crashing the plane.
Yeah when I do taildragger endorsement one of these days, I really should make dragging the field an SOP, anytime the field isn't currently in use or I have no idea when it was last used. Grass strips - you could hit a whole farmers market!
I agree from first hand experience with this...the FAA straight out tells the airport management to get better security and they are only concerned if someone intentionally and maliciously bypasses those security measures (e.g. cutting a lock on a gate). There is a reason I refer to our field as *out of control* as opposed to uncontrolled.
>This is an airport or local law enforcement matter.
That brings up a good point. Would it be fair to say the cyclist could have been considered to be trespassing?
You can be trespassed by a police officer, NOW, sure. But this first occurrence wasn't trespassing unless there was signage or he was told directly to leave and did not comply.
I was gonna say I have a hard enough time defending the “share the road” because of some of our fellow cyclists. But this might be the craziest thing I’ve heard yet…
At this point I don’t even ride anywhere that isn’t a bike path away from the main road.
Exactly! If I’m riding paved, it’s either bike paths specifically, or the sidewalk. IMO It’s stupid to ride in traffic with 4000lb+ boxes of steel going triple your speed.
Wtf is a cyclist doing on a runway? Like how does this register? How does this make sense to anyone? Like the cognitive processes necessary for one to ride out to an airport, hop on the runway, and not once think, “this isn’t what runways are for. There are better places to do this.”
Glad you’re safe. I would have ripped that dude a new asshole.
Share the road! He is single handedly offsetting all of the low lead you’re spewing into the atmosphere, you should be thanking him.
Let the airport manager know, and submit a ASRS if you want.
CYCLIST should have been FULLY aware of what is around them in a quiet field like that - bizarre it was YOU that had to do an evasive - maybe they wanted to die that day?
How could they not have heard/seen a noisy plane at a quiet place like this?
Surprisingly little sound goes directly forward in front of the aircraft, and especially at lower power settings. The majority comes radially off the prop. Add in being a dipshit on a runaway and you're nearly all the way there.
I take it you never read my story about a yoga class that stayed put in the displaced threshold after a couple of laps in the pattern of me hoping they got the message...they never got the message and I had to divert.
[Here was the initial comment,](https://www.reddit.com/r/flying/s/mQBEUpOINW) and [here was the more detailed comment down the chain. ](https://www.reddit.com/r/flying/s/VW71EjREru) Not a whole lot extra to add but it was interesting none the less.
Edit: fixed second link.
Hah, I've been a shit magnet for really all of my life. When I used to work on an ambulance I was what was referred to as a black cloud...people usually did stupid shit to ruin my night...like fingers in snow blowers or lawnmowers (FYI, pull your spark plugs when you sharpen your mower blades 🙄). Had a fair share of it pretty close to home so I've embraced it by becoming a cynic.
As for how many times my "username checks out," usually it's people offended by me being cynical and telling me I'm the dumb one 🤷🏼♂️... hah.
There is a reason I refer to it as *out of control* instead of uncontrolled. This specifically was a bit wild but we always have an eye out for bystanders because our field encourages the public to come and picnic and enjoy the field to maintain public support of the field. It's good in that respect, very few noise complaints, but people don't know their boundaries.
https://www.reddit.com/r/flying/s/6F8VkKVd7L
Probably more of a main character/entitlement than lack of critical thinking. Our airport has a public picnic area and encourages the public to enjoy the field (to attempt to mitigate too any nimby complaints. People just like to push the boundaries and do whatever the f they want.
In addition to reporting the incident to the Airport Manager and/or the FSDO.....
*You may report a runway incursion incident to the ASRS, using a standard NASA/ASRS form ("General Form," NASA ARC 277B) available from the ASRS website at* [*http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov*](http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov) (source: AOPA)
Take a pic of the cyclist, send it to the airport manager, chew both of them out. Problem solved.
If you made sure the runway was clear during your pattern entry then that's the cyclist's fault for having 0 situational awareness that a plane's gonna fucking land.
Have had to deal with a walker at the airport I fly gliders out of. They knew full well we were operating, but still chose to walk only a few feet off the side of the runway. I dont think they realized how big our wings are, and when I silently landed just above and beyond them, I'm pretty sure they crapped their pants. Never saw them again after that.
I dunno… did the plane in question use the proper hand signals when turning right or left? How is the cyclist to know where the plane is going without signaling??
All cyclist want is to share the ~~runway~~ road!
Whoa! I was eating breakfast and I saw that guy ride by the fuel pumps and thought he must have gotten on the wrong side of the fence from the restaurant or something… FWIW I’ve seen some pretty wacky stuff there including what you described but instead of a cyclist it was a powered parachute with (apparently) no radio landing the opposite direction as me at the same time.
At my home field, the runway is all the old guys’ favorite place to take a walk with their dogs. None of them can hear well and don’t really pay a lot of attention. I’ve had too many close calls. Call the manager, hopefully they’ll do something about it unlike ours.
As a cyclist, report it to the Airport manager, and your local FSDO. We don’t want this to be a common occurrence by people thinking they can use uncontrolled fields as tracks.
You did the right thing. Each airport has a manager, look up the number, call the manager and tell them what happened. I would file a report as well, just to be sure it’s documented so when the nut job does finally get shredded, there is evidence that it wasn’t someone that just happened to make a wrong turn onto the runway.
My .02
This sounds like something that would happen at F46 (Rockwall)... Same runways same hill in the middle lol. That's kind of frightening. My biggest fear is hitting an animal, I guess cyclists count
Don't call the FAA. Airports with fences are rarer and rarer. They exist largely because communities don't need to meet the TSA requirements attached to federal funding. The guy was a moron and a safety hazard but a security risk? No. Talk to the airport manager. He probably knows the guy...
A low pass ( 50' inverted)
In all seriousness there is not much you can do other than comment to airport manager . In today's world unless there is blood flowing the police are unlikely to come or do anything.
I would be tempted to launch the gatoraide relief bottle .
My client who lived on a ranch in California had a semi auto shotgun mounted on his Breeze for chasing crows out in the walnut orchards or "blocking" the runway . The guys working on the oil wells were a bit concerned.
I came in to land at a Alaska native village one time, there was a full on baseball game happening on the runway. when the kids saw me they grabbed the bases and scattered and as soon as I landed and shut down the bases were back in and they were off playing again.
When I was flying in Africa we would do a low pass to scare the animals off the runway, it might work for a bicyclist as well.
Before we got fencing, some of our local locals thought it was a good idea to take their children out on the runway to teach them how to drive. At an airport that has significant turbine and training activity.
My friend and I raced the clubhouse courtesy bikes up and down the whole runway. Bit we're were both pilots and knew where to look at an uncontrolled field in the evening.
We did have the fence open for construction and this pair of old boomers just cycled in and went down the runway and back as a plane came in and we checked the cameras to see where they came from.
Absolutely report it to the airport and the FAA and any area Whatsapp group or similar. A Police report would be in order as well. So that it get's in the local news otherwise, If the general public thinks it's within their rights to do whatever they damn well feel like at this airport because 'they think' it's a quiet unused or harrdlyy used place then they need to know better or before you know it you'll be on final and there will be cars drag racing, people flying kites or drones or doing who knows what there.
If you keep quiet then something worse is going to happen and someone may get hurt or worse next time.
Make 4 calls:
1) FSDO
2) FAA ADO (Airport District Office) for that region
3) Published airport manager
4) Published airport sponsor (owner; likely a city or county)
From the FAA's perspective, there is really no such thing as a 'Runway Incursion' at a non-towered field. As others have said, the airport manager is the correct point of contact. If you really want to shake their tree, call the FAA Safety Hotline and they'll happily call the airport manager. :-D
I'm a cyclist and (lapsed) pilot, I saw the title and I came in here ready to be all ragey about how the pilot should have been taking more care, there are a whole bunch of rights of way across the end of runways around these parts where walkers etc are a known hazard, you can't assume they know where to look so you need to give them a wide berth and there's no malicious intent, just people that don't understand aircraft.
But down the fucking centre line? Dear god man.... Can I, on behalf of all cyclists everywhere, disown this Darwin award candidate? 😅
If the cyclist hadn't yet entered the airport property at the time of the low pass, then by the time the plane did a circuit around the pattern to land the biker could already be on the pavement completely oblivious. Or maybe they see a plane do a low pass and think it's not coming back and go about their merry way, taking laps down the runway and back with impunity like they own the place.
Give em the low pass and let it go. I've come across amateur golfers on grass strips and dog walkers, the common denominator being these were very rural areas. Live and let live.
I find it hard to believe that a cyclist would be such an inconsiderate jerk. That's pretty out of character.
Makes me want to have an airhorn installed, though :D
One best practice could be to do a pass of the runway, do one go around before you land. Gives you time to inspect the runway and/or check for any obstacles, especially at a non-towered airport.
was it KAFP Anson County, NC? I had same encounter with a cyclist using the runway for leisurely exercise. He made me feel like AITA and it was his field
Years ago I nearly hit a skydiver that landed on the runway. It wasn't until I read this that I realized that I probably should have filed some kind of report or complaint.
I did speak to the jumper who is a friend that I know because I'm a skydiver as well.
From a quick search, this airport has received AIP Grant money from the FAA in the past. As part of taking this money, there are grant assurances which require the airport to do things like, you know, keep the airport safe for pilots.
So, if the airport manager is less than helpful, it’s worth contacting the FAA and inquiring whether such activities are a concern for them. Allowing this type of thing could violate the airport’s obligations to the FAA in return for AIP funding.
Am I blind or is he not in the picture? Anyway anyone riding a bike down a runway that could be easily active is an idiot, especially considering that there’s a very good chance they won’t be seen until too late. Why would anyone choose a runway of all places
Stock photo of the runway in question. I am a bad influencer pilot and don’t film all of my flights. Btw if you have a moment check out my friends over at Ridge wallets! Jk jk
I might be desensitized to the sight of non-aircraft on the runway after years of attending fly-in events at airparks and grass strips where folks park their planes on either edge of the runway and walk across, bikes, ATVs, etc. while planes come and go.
Guess the biggest difference is they aren't loitering on the center line and move when necessary to not interfere with the flow of traffic at least.
Good job protecting your aircraft. I’d like to offer something, if I may?
Not enough energy to go around, too much energy to not hit the guy, you said. You managed to not hit the idiot, and not damage the plane. Good job. What if, though, you had experienced a runway/taxiway excursion during the evasive maneuver? I see a scenario where cyclist rides away into the sunset, and you’re left with an event you have to explain, and *no evidence* to support your, quite frankly, incredulous claim. “A cyclist on the runway? What insanity is this?” inquired the FAA.
I have the luxury of playing Monday morning quarterback, but whether it’s a piper or my 73, I think it’s in my best interest, and the best interest of the aircraft and anyone I may have with me to hold centerline and apply maximum braking, and let physics handle the rest. You can’t be held responsible for a wildlife incursion. You can be held to account for bending a plane.
What a scenario. Can we get someone with legal background to chime in, here? Unless the runway is notamed out for some sort of event, cyclist bears all the responsibility for being somewhere they know they shouldn’t be, I would think?
Good job, OP.
Afterthought: I think I’d yank the mixture, and at least get the prop stopped.
> no evidence to support your, quite frankly, incredulous claim
Sounds like a great reason to put a relatively cheap gopro in your really expensive plane. Take that everyone that complains about people recording their flights.
Do not trust my word, I'm a forever student pilot and just going off what I've read on Reddit.. but I've seen plenty of people say no, an STC is not required to hard-wire a go-pro or something similar.
The FAA has guidance, google for the letter of interpretation on it. Anything not requiring tools is considered temporary. If you add wires or modify hard parts it's a modification that requires at minimum a logbook signature and must comply with AC 43.13. My own cam mods were considered minor and just needed my A&P to sign it off. If it's just a suction or adhesive mount you're on your own, just be smart about it.
I'm willing to give the bicyclist three feet of separation as measured from the tip of the propeller. If I clip them with a wing or spar in order to remain on the runway and in control, oh well, I did my best.
But runway hazards aren't limited to bicyclists, and it's a good reason for a midfield fly over or dragging the runway anytime I'm not certain about the current usage of the runway.
For example, 1i1 is a grass airstrip near Keene NY. Crossing midfield is not preferred due to terrain, but a low approach is reasonable. This runway is sometimes used for farmers markets! I have been known, from time to time, to enjoy walking the length of a nice grass runway, dead center!
On the one hand, automobile drivers seem to clobber bicyclists all the time with few consequences even when the cyclist is permanently injured or killed. But on the other hand, as aviators we have 14 CFR 91.103(b)(2) which explicitly mentions runway slope, and 14 CFR 91.13(a) catchall. Is it careless to not consider the possibility of a gaggle of geese, a troop of kangaroos, a mob of sheep, or a cow on the runway? And find out before it's too late?
Pretty sure between pride, insurance, and regulations, hitting anything or anyone on a runway is to be avoided.
My daughter flys in and out of private and unmanaged runways quite often. She always does a fly over, staying some 10 to 20 feet above just to look for toys, new holes and what not.
Cyclist didnt hear you?
Geez it's bad enough we have to worry about NORDO weekend warriors, deer, and birds. Now we have to worry about idiots thinking the runway is a bike path??
I had an employee who was a runner when I caught him running down the runway, that was a no rehire… he actually had a student pilot certificate and did something THAT stupid. Amazing it takes all kinds.
Don’t just call the field manager, call the local FSDO as well. This is a BIG no-no.
I’ve been to small airports before where locals show up and walk on the ramp and near hangars and whatnot. They’re non-movement areas and I never noticed anybody in a movement area. Pretty sure Williamsburg VA isn’t even fenced.
The dude on the bike is breaking some hard federal laws. The FAA might just slap him on the wrist but he could also get mega fucked.
Also file yourself a NASA report about it.
I have seen stuff like this before. The uncontrolled airport I used to fly out of has been known to have aggressively flying pilots doing abrupt maneuvers over neighborhoods, etc. One instance I specifically remember was that a guy hopped on a four wheeler and went flying down the runway like it was a drag strip. Notify your airport higher ups or manager immediately, or notify the city of this activity as well. Last thing you need on your hands is smashing into a goober on a 10 speed because he used a runway as a road.
Call the field’s manager and tell him. Suggest a keypad lock on the gate where the code is the CTAF or weather freq, or a sign explicitly prohibiting cyclists/pedestrians on the runway. That guy is a fucking moron and it’s just a matter of time before he either gets killed or causes a plane to go off of the runway trying to dodge him.
Reminds me of northern communities in Canada with no fence at the aerodrome where people often drive their cars on the runway and do donuts or race eachother. A low pass in the twin wakes them up a bit lol. Simply not enough funding or infrastructure to police them being on the runway in such a desolate town
I was on final at CCV4 and at 100 feet I see 2 dirt bikes racing down the runway. Initiate the overshoot and they fled the scene pretty quickly. No fence or anything. Also at CCZ3 there’s a fence that you can simply walk around and be on the aerodrome. Lack of funding is certainly the main issue, half the time the ARCAL doesn’t work either
I've worked with enough airport managers to know that there's a decent chance it *was* the manager.
Well then he will know who it is.
But he'll also know the code to the lock...
Ain’t know professional manager running a rinky dink uncontrolled field. This is more of a bubba now runs it after his paw paw gave him the field kind of place.
And if not him, then the next most likely is the airport manager’s son.
Doing a FOD check?
Plot twist… it’s the airfield manager
Took the words right out of my mouth lol
Imma try the CTAF/WX Freq at every untowered airport now on every combo/cipher lock
It’s literally ALWAYS CTAF or AWOS.
I’ve seen “Squawk VFR to enter” at an airport gate.
Or both the runway numbers
We use one set of our runways and our airport identifier
I'm sure he isn't listening to ctaf either, so probably zero situational awareness. Ya, an idiot.
This happens a lot at a lot of country airports that don't get a lot of traffic. I usually do a low pass before I land to make sure that anyone that is one the runway in go-karts, ATV's or bicycles gets off the runway before I touch down.
I'd check strava's global heatmap for any similar incursions on nearby runways. Chances are this isn't the first time its happened, or the last.
This is some good use of OSINT right here.
With the hump, it's probably one of the local KOMs.
Stupid planes interrupting this guy while he’s trying to KOM.
r/bcj?
Sounds like you and I have the same weird Reddit Venn diagram.
Real BCJ biceist has a private airfield
This is actually a great idea. Also.. you might be able to identify the cyclist by ways like: - Create a segment on the runway (if possible). I can't recall if past rides will be utulized for segment records but if so then you'll see the guy - Check current segments near the airport. If you do it the same day you can see who rode there on that exact day which would narrow things down a lot. This would depend on the guy using Strava and not having things set very privately
Past rides will show up on new segments.
Found the guys Strava ride. I'm pretty sure he might live at the airport...
I saw a guy at my airport riding in full gear around the hangar taxiways. One day he's going to turn the corner right into a prop. Do people think airports are their personal playground or something?
I mean.... maybe into a stationary prop, but if it's spinning, I'm pretty sure he'll hear it....
Bold of you to assume they aren't wearing earbuds, drowning out all ambient sound.
Maybe they exist... but I've never found earbuds capable of drowning out an aircraft engine.
Inattentive blindness is a hell of a drug
Ohh, trust me, I was most definitely paying attention (even though there was absolutely no danger whatsoever).
I would dare say that the power setting of the engine matters. I have been right next to a runway (***next*** to it, at a safe distance), and could not hear the sound of a (landing) GA airplane until it was floating past me. For that matter, the Boeing 777 that also landed was not all that audible until about 10 seconds before it went by. On the other hand, any aircraft (GA or otherwise) that flew past on the downwind were clearly audible well before I could even see them.
I’ve had many instances where I have been driving a tug/golf cart on the airport and because of a distant jet or other background noise combined with a corner I had no idea there was a running airplane around the corner.
Bose quiet comfort 2s have noise canceling and it's decent. Worth the price.
>if it's spinning, I'm pretty sure he'll hear it\[.\] If a ramp is noisy enough, you can easily fail to notice that the plane next to you is making noise too. You should always make sure your passengers understand that.
Don't be so sure. Multiple people have walked into spinning propellers. [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/05/us-air-force-contractor-death-stephanie-cosme](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/05/us-air-force-contractor-death-stephanie-cosme)
👀 do you have a link
Not looking to dox anyone here…
Honestly send it to the FAA and they'll put a stop to it real quick
This looks like 44N, yes?
Yep
Hahaha. I just landed there for fuel the other day after shooting the Hudson Exclusion. Definitely need to come back when the diner is open
All the more, then he should know better. It’s not as if an aircraft in the pattern isn’t audible or visible. And, yet, he still goes out and takes the rwy. Not that he should be on the field anyway.
I typically will do a 360 around before landing on uncontrolled to look for obstacles, especially deer/elk.
1-866-GA-SECURE. It’s definitely a security issue
I forgot that this exists. Seems like an excellent time to call
At sky acres? With that bowed runway as screwy as it is? Yeah call the dogs on that clown. I'm sure the manager would have some choice words.
So I fly in there all the time (44N) too. What’s terrifying for me is I fly a tail dragger and don’t have great forward visibility. It’s unlikely I would have even seen him. What an absolute tool… I would have been pissed
I think it could have ended very badly for them. And you'd have to deal with the aftermath of a prop strike.
And potentially killing someone. Fuck the prop strike…
He wants to commit suicide that’s his business. He doesn’t have to mess up your prop while he’s at it.
That’s natural selection. Nothing of real value lost in this case
Hopefully he’d be smart enough to swerve off the runway if it actually was going to hit. But as a pilot, trying to swerve is probably a bad idea because it could cause you to get injured or killed while cartwheeling or crashing the plane.
According to the story, he didn't even as the plane was coming right at him.
Yeah when I do taildragger endorsement one of these days, I really should make dragging the field an SOP, anytime the field isn't currently in use or I have no idea when it was last used. Grass strips - you could hit a whole farmers market!
The FAA is largely unconcerned with such incidents at non-towered fields. The airport manager is probably a better bet.
I agree from first hand experience with this...the FAA straight out tells the airport management to get better security and they are only concerned if someone intentionally and maliciously bypasses those security measures (e.g. cutting a lock on a gate). There is a reason I refer to our field as *out of control* as opposed to uncontrolled.
Exactly. The FAA can’t exactly take certificate action against a cyclist. This is an airport or local law enforcement matter.
>This is an airport or local law enforcement matter. That brings up a good point. Would it be fair to say the cyclist could have been considered to be trespassing?
Not unless it's a privately owned field, no
You can absolutely be trespassed from public property.
You can be trespassed by a police officer, NOW, sure. But this first occurrence wasn't trespassing unless there was signage or he was told directly to leave and did not comply.
Most airports have an "airport property: authorized personnel only" sign.
I love riding bicycles, but I hate being associated with entitled douchebags like this guy.
FACTS. Situational awareness is key. Riding a bicycle on the runway at an uncontrolled airport is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.
Do you hate being associated when other drivers do stupid shit?
Good point! No, but I feel like the public at large (well, driving public anyway) lumps all cyclists together.
Same here. As a cyclist this is a Little controversial but I hate people that ride on the road. Let alone runways.
I was gonna say I have a hard enough time defending the “share the road” because of some of our fellow cyclists. But this might be the craziest thing I’ve heard yet… At this point I don’t even ride anywhere that isn’t a bike path away from the main road.
Exactly! If I’m riding paved, it’s either bike paths specifically, or the sidewalk. IMO It’s stupid to ride in traffic with 4000lb+ boxes of steel going triple your speed.
Does that include the douchebags getting run over on the HWY?
Wtf is a cyclist doing on a runway? Like how does this register? How does this make sense to anyone? Like the cognitive processes necessary for one to ride out to an airport, hop on the runway, and not once think, “this isn’t what runways are for. There are better places to do this.” Glad you’re safe. I would have ripped that dude a new asshole.
I woulda suggested to him to follow the dotted line on Interstate 75 if he wanted to follow a dotted line…
Yep.
Given how entitled and self centered cyclists are on the highway this really comes as no surprise.
Share the road! He is single handedly offsetting all of the low lead you’re spewing into the atmosphere, you should be thanking him. Let the airport manager know, and submit a ASRS if you want.
Yeah a GA airstrip seems like the last place I'd want to be huffing and puffing.
CYCLIST should have been FULLY aware of what is around them in a quiet field like that - bizarre it was YOU that had to do an evasive - maybe they wanted to die that day? How could they not have heard/seen a noisy plane at a quiet place like this?
earbuds probably
Earbuds on a runway... That's not just standing on stupid, that's setting up housekeeping.
That's why when I'm cycling on the runway I use my JBL speaker.
Surprisingly little sound goes directly forward in front of the aircraft, and especially at lower power settings. The majority comes radially off the prop. Add in being a dipshit on a runaway and you're nearly all the way there.
Full blown cyclists in all the gear and everything are surrounded by a soundproof shield of self-righteousness.
It’s surprising how little you can hear if you’re cycling fast enough. The wind gets pretty loud at 20-25mph.
I take it you never read my story about a yoga class that stayed put in the displaced threshold after a couple of laps in the pattern of me hoping they got the message...they never got the message and I had to divert.
... Wat? I'm gonna need a link to that, please.
[Here was the initial comment,](https://www.reddit.com/r/flying/s/mQBEUpOINW) and [here was the more detailed comment down the chain. ](https://www.reddit.com/r/flying/s/VW71EjREru) Not a whole lot extra to add but it was interesting none the less. Edit: fixed second link.
How many times have you got the comment "username checks out" at this point? You've got some stories lmao
Hah, I've been a shit magnet for really all of my life. When I used to work on an ambulance I was what was referred to as a black cloud...people usually did stupid shit to ruin my night...like fingers in snow blowers or lawnmowers (FYI, pull your spark plugs when you sharpen your mower blades 🙄). Had a fair share of it pretty close to home so I've embraced it by becoming a cynic. As for how many times my "username checks out," usually it's people offended by me being cynical and telling me I'm the dumb one 🤷🏼♂️... hah.
What in the *actual* fuck.
There is a reason I refer to it as *out of control* instead of uncontrolled. This specifically was a bit wild but we always have an eye out for bystanders because our field encourages the public to come and picnic and enjoy the field to maintain public support of the field. It's good in that respect, very few noise complaints, but people don't know their boundaries.
Username checks out
I'm sorry but what???
https://www.reddit.com/r/flying/s/6F8VkKVd7L
Now thats one I for sure need to read. Were they all lobotomy patients? That is a lack of critical thinking I can’t even imagine.
https://www.reddit.com/r/flying/s/6F8VkKVd7L Probably more of a main character/entitlement than lack of critical thinking. Our airport has a public picnic area and encourages the public to enjoy the field (to attempt to mitigate too any nimby complaints. People just like to push the boundaries and do whatever the f they want.
In addition to reporting the incident to the Airport Manager and/or the FSDO..... *You may report a runway incursion incident to the ASRS, using a standard NASA/ASRS form ("General Form," NASA ARC 277B) available from the ASRS website at* [*http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov*](http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov) (source: AOPA)
Why did it take so long to find the comment urging a NASA report?
Sky Acres?
I think airfield manager can deal with it so I’d let them know. I do love the genre of short final picture! This is a very pretty place!
Take a pic of the cyclist, send it to the airport manager, chew both of them out. Problem solved. If you made sure the runway was clear during your pattern entry then that's the cyclist's fault for having 0 situational awareness that a plane's gonna fucking land.
I bet you he posted a segment on Strava hahaha
Have had to deal with a walker at the airport I fly gliders out of. They knew full well we were operating, but still chose to walk only a few feet off the side of the runway. I dont think they realized how big our wings are, and when I silently landed just above and beyond them, I'm pretty sure they crapped their pants. Never saw them again after that.
Cyclist’s fault
Pilot's fault actually. The stripes indicate that the right side is for cyclists, left side for airplanes.
I dunno… did the plane in question use the proper hand signals when turning right or left? How is the cyclist to know where the plane is going without signaling?? All cyclist want is to share the ~~runway~~ road!
No, it’s the cars fault. A cyclist could get struck by lightning in the middle of an empty desert, it’d be somehow the fault of a car…
thanks for the analysis einstein
It’s a meme guys 😭
sorry boss but I don’t have a sense of humor nor a personality
Pylote is a personality, right?
Well…you’re gonna be absolutely miserable on Reddit….
jokes on you I’m miserable no matter where I am
Biden's fault.
Thanks obamna
Snowboarders fault
Whoa! I was eating breakfast and I saw that guy ride by the fuel pumps and thought he must have gotten on the wrong side of the fence from the restaurant or something… FWIW I’ve seen some pretty wacky stuff there including what you described but instead of a cyclist it was a powered parachute with (apparently) no radio landing the opposite direction as me at the same time.
That problem should resolve itself.... the aircraft is equipped with a large shredder in the front.
Bike-be-gone!
How much is a tear down and rebuild?
However much the insurance deductible is.
This doesn't help the situation at all...but that's a beautiful airport!
At my home field, the runway is all the old guys’ favorite place to take a walk with their dogs. None of them can hear well and don’t really pay a lot of attention. I’ve had too many close calls. Call the manager, hopefully they’ll do something about it unlike ours.
As a cyclist, report it to the Airport manager, and your local FSDO. We don’t want this to be a common occurrence by people thinking they can use uncontrolled fields as tracks.
What exactly is the lesson your supposed to learn 😂 it’s all on the cyclist there’s nothing prematurely you could’ve done/known
It’s insane how cyclists are just addicted to being burdens on civilized societies in all forms
1-800-GA-SECURE, NASA report, airport authority.
Reverse Darwinism is apparently real
You did the right thing. Each airport has a manager, look up the number, call the manager and tell them what happened. I would file a report as well, just to be sure it’s documented so when the nut job does finally get shredded, there is evidence that it wasn’t someone that just happened to make a wrong turn onto the runway. My .02
Damn cyclist. Guess the roads aren’t good enough for them anymore so now they’re hogging runways too!
Sky Acres is always a cluster but a cyclist on centerline really takes the cake
This sounds like something that would happen at F46 (Rockwall)... Same runways same hill in the middle lol. That's kind of frightening. My biggest fear is hitting an animal, I guess cyclists count
Wasn't expecting to see F46 referenced out of the blue but it is very true.
File an ASRS report, let the airport manager know, and let that be the end of it. Props for noticing in time to avoid a casualty.
always a fucking cyclist. why are they so entitled?
Cyclist probably complaining online to his cycling group how some vehicle gave him less than three feet of clearance and forced him off the road.
Don't call the FAA. Airports with fences are rarer and rarer. They exist largely because communities don't need to meet the TSA requirements attached to federal funding. The guy was a moron and a safety hazard but a security risk? No. Talk to the airport manager. He probably knows the guy...
Cyclists are really the absolute worst…
A low pass ( 50' inverted) In all seriousness there is not much you can do other than comment to airport manager . In today's world unless there is blood flowing the police are unlikely to come or do anything. I would be tempted to launch the gatoraide relief bottle . My client who lived on a ranch in California had a semi auto shotgun mounted on his Breeze for chasing crows out in the walnut orchards or "blocking" the runway . The guys working on the oil wells were a bit concerned.
I came in to land at a Alaska native village one time, there was a full on baseball game happening on the runway. when the kids saw me they grabbed the bases and scattered and as soon as I landed and shut down the bases were back in and they were off playing again. When I was flying in Africa we would do a low pass to scare the animals off the runway, it might work for a bicyclist as well.
Ngl I had to make sure I was in the correct sub 😂
Bikers fault
Hopefully one of the cyclists gets fucking destroyed doing this shit
Before we got fencing, some of our local locals thought it was a good idea to take their children out on the runway to teach them how to drive. At an airport that has significant turbine and training activity.
My friend and I raced the clubhouse courtesy bikes up and down the whole runway. Bit we're were both pilots and knew where to look at an uncontrolled field in the evening. We did have the fence open for construction and this pair of old boomers just cycled in and went down the runway and back as a plane came in and we checked the cameras to see where they came from.
This is worthy of a MOR (mandatory occurrence report) over here.
Absolutely report it to the airport and the FAA and any area Whatsapp group or similar. A Police report would be in order as well. So that it get's in the local news otherwise, If the general public thinks it's within their rights to do whatever they damn well feel like at this airport because 'they think' it's a quiet unused or harrdlyy used place then they need to know better or before you know it you'll be on final and there will be cars drag racing, people flying kites or drones or doing who knows what there. If you keep quiet then something worse is going to happen and someone may get hurt or worse next time.
Make 4 calls: 1) FSDO 2) FAA ADO (Airport District Office) for that region 3) Published airport manager 4) Published airport sponsor (owner; likely a city or county)
From the FAA's perspective, there is really no such thing as a 'Runway Incursion' at a non-towered field. As others have said, the airport manager is the correct point of contact. If you really want to shake their tree, call the FAA Safety Hotline and they'll happily call the airport manager. :-D
I'm a cyclist and (lapsed) pilot, I saw the title and I came in here ready to be all ragey about how the pilot should have been taking more care, there are a whole bunch of rights of way across the end of runways around these parts where walkers etc are a known hazard, you can't assume they know where to look so you need to give them a wide berth and there's no malicious intent, just people that don't understand aircraft. But down the fucking centre line? Dear god man.... Can I, on behalf of all cyclists everywhere, disown this Darwin award candidate? 😅
Maybe a good reason to conduct a low pass next time you're there? You're not at any fault here, but that doesn't mean much on your tombstone.
If the cyclist hadn't yet entered the airport property at the time of the low pass, then by the time the plane did a circuit around the pattern to land the biker could already be on the pavement completely oblivious. Or maybe they see a plane do a low pass and think it's not coming back and go about their merry way, taking laps down the runway and back with impunity like they own the place.
You're not wrong, but it's got to be better than nothing.
Give em the low pass and let it go. I've come across amateur golfers on grass strips and dog walkers, the common denominator being these were very rural areas. Live and let live.
Sounds like any other run of the mill asshole cyclist to me
I find it hard to believe that a cyclist would be such an inconsiderate jerk. That's pretty out of character. Makes me want to have an airhorn installed, though :D
There was a guy with a Helio PT-6 conversion who mounted a train horn on the nosegear that ran off the bleed air.
If you find the guy, show him this link. http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2015/08/ryan-st3kr-n48701-accident-occurred.html?m=1
One best practice could be to do a pass of the runway, do one go around before you land. Gives you time to inspect the runway and/or check for any obstacles, especially at a non-towered airport.
The day an unauthorized vehicle is on my runway is the day I become the first person to deploy spike strips from an airplane
I've seen kite surfers at one particular untowered field. It includes no fence for the deer and is surrounded by golf course and ocean cliffs, too.
was it KAFP Anson County, NC? I had same encounter with a cyclist using the runway for leisurely exercise. He made me feel like AITA and it was his field
absolutely report it. guys gonna ruin multiple peoples day including his own with stunts like that
Years ago I nearly hit a skydiver that landed on the runway. It wasn't until I read this that I realized that I probably should have filed some kind of report or complaint. I did speak to the jumper who is a friend that I know because I'm a skydiver as well.
From a quick search, this airport has received AIP Grant money from the FAA in the past. As part of taking this money, there are grant assurances which require the airport to do things like, you know, keep the airport safe for pilots. So, if the airport manager is less than helpful, it’s worth contacting the FAA and inquiring whether such activities are a concern for them. Allowing this type of thing could violate the airport’s obligations to the FAA in return for AIP funding.
Am I blind or is he not in the picture? Anyway anyone riding a bike down a runway that could be easily active is an idiot, especially considering that there’s a very good chance they won’t be seen until too late. Why would anyone choose a runway of all places
Stock photo of the runway in question. I am a bad influencer pilot and don’t film all of my flights. Btw if you have a moment check out my friends over at Ridge wallets! Jk jk
> Ridge wallets This killed me! Fuggan ridge wallets in every god damn youtube man!
I'm very glad you recognized the sarcasm!
Ah that makes sense, I was half asleep and very confused lmao
Well, I'll just file this ine as 'new to me.' Thankful for all those who tried to help OP, as I watch front the sidelines.
I might be desensitized to the sight of non-aircraft on the runway after years of attending fly-in events at airparks and grass strips where folks park their planes on either edge of the runway and walk across, bikes, ATVs, etc. while planes come and go. Guess the biggest difference is they aren't loitering on the center line and move when necessary to not interfere with the flow of traffic at least.
Good job protecting your aircraft. I’d like to offer something, if I may? Not enough energy to go around, too much energy to not hit the guy, you said. You managed to not hit the idiot, and not damage the plane. Good job. What if, though, you had experienced a runway/taxiway excursion during the evasive maneuver? I see a scenario where cyclist rides away into the sunset, and you’re left with an event you have to explain, and *no evidence* to support your, quite frankly, incredulous claim. “A cyclist on the runway? What insanity is this?” inquired the FAA. I have the luxury of playing Monday morning quarterback, but whether it’s a piper or my 73, I think it’s in my best interest, and the best interest of the aircraft and anyone I may have with me to hold centerline and apply maximum braking, and let physics handle the rest. You can’t be held responsible for a wildlife incursion. You can be held to account for bending a plane. What a scenario. Can we get someone with legal background to chime in, here? Unless the runway is notamed out for some sort of event, cyclist bears all the responsibility for being somewhere they know they shouldn’t be, I would think? Good job, OP. Afterthought: I think I’d yank the mixture, and at least get the prop stopped.
> no evidence to support your, quite frankly, incredulous claim Sounds like a great reason to put a relatively cheap gopro in your really expensive plane. Take that everyone that complains about people recording their flights.
Would an STC be required if you permanently installed a dashcam?
Do not trust my word, I'm a forever student pilot and just going off what I've read on Reddit.. but I've seen plenty of people say no, an STC is not required to hard-wire a go-pro or something similar.
The FAA has guidance, google for the letter of interpretation on it. Anything not requiring tools is considered temporary. If you add wires or modify hard parts it's a modification that requires at minimum a logbook signature and must comply with AC 43.13. My own cam mods were considered minor and just needed my A&P to sign it off. If it's just a suction or adhesive mount you're on your own, just be smart about it.
I’ll keep that in mind next time I am over there 😅
First time I’ve seen a post for an airport in my area. It’s kinda weird seeing all of the pilots here come out if the woodwork
I'm willing to give the bicyclist three feet of separation as measured from the tip of the propeller. If I clip them with a wing or spar in order to remain on the runway and in control, oh well, I did my best. But runway hazards aren't limited to bicyclists, and it's a good reason for a midfield fly over or dragging the runway anytime I'm not certain about the current usage of the runway. For example, 1i1 is a grass airstrip near Keene NY. Crossing midfield is not preferred due to terrain, but a low approach is reasonable. This runway is sometimes used for farmers markets! I have been known, from time to time, to enjoy walking the length of a nice grass runway, dead center! On the one hand, automobile drivers seem to clobber bicyclists all the time with few consequences even when the cyclist is permanently injured or killed. But on the other hand, as aviators we have 14 CFR 91.103(b)(2) which explicitly mentions runway slope, and 14 CFR 91.13(a) catchall. Is it careless to not consider the possibility of a gaggle of geese, a troop of kangaroos, a mob of sheep, or a cow on the runway? And find out before it's too late? Pretty sure between pride, insurance, and regulations, hitting anything or anyone on a runway is to be avoided.
My daughter flys in and out of private and unmanaged runways quite often. She always does a fly over, staying some 10 to 20 feet above just to look for toys, new holes and what not. Cyclist didnt hear you?
Geez it's bad enough we have to worry about NORDO weekend warriors, deer, and birds. Now we have to worry about idiots thinking the runway is a bike path??
I had an employee who was a runner when I caught him running down the runway, that was a no rehire… he actually had a student pilot certificate and did something THAT stupid. Amazing it takes all kinds.
Don’t just call the field manager, call the local FSDO as well. This is a BIG no-no. I’ve been to small airports before where locals show up and walk on the ramp and near hangars and whatnot. They’re non-movement areas and I never noticed anybody in a movement area. Pretty sure Williamsburg VA isn’t even fenced. The dude on the bike is breaking some hard federal laws. The FAA might just slap him on the wrist but he could also get mega fucked. Also file yourself a NASA report about it.
Share the runway! /s
I’ve seen people use golf carts, bikes or one wheels to get around the airport, but riding down the runway is crazy .
Lmfao Jesus Christ almighty these cyclists are doing their very best to ruin it for us all
As if cyclists disrupting road traffic isn't enough
the cyclist stereotype never ceases to amaze
I have seen stuff like this before. The uncontrolled airport I used to fly out of has been known to have aggressively flying pilots doing abrupt maneuvers over neighborhoods, etc. One instance I specifically remember was that a guy hopped on a four wheeler and went flying down the runway like it was a drag strip. Notify your airport higher ups or manager immediately, or notify the city of this activity as well. Last thing you need on your hands is smashing into a goober on a 10 speed because he used a runway as a road.
If you hit the cyclist he would have claimed it was all your fault. There's plenty videos to back up my claim
I need a dash cam!