Tension was high and rising at the football game Saturday night, and it had nothing to do with the score.
Maj. Bud Conners of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office said his office received numerous complaints because an airplane campaigning for U.S. Senate candidate Suzanne Terrell flew low over the stadium throughout the game.
However, Conners said the plane had permission to fly over Tiger Stadium despite heightened security measures.
One such provision restricted airspace over stadiums seating 30,000 people or more.
“Shortly after 9/11, flying was restricted over professional or major collegiate sporting events and over large assemblies of people unless the pilot had a waiver,” said Lisa Cotham, an aviation safety technician with the Federal Aviation Administration in Baton Rouge.
On Sept. 11, 2002, the FAA changed the restriction prohibiting pilots only from flying under 3,000 during games.
Terrell’s airplane flew within these restrictions with a waiver issued by the FAA.
Any pilot can apply for a waiver; however, the FAA enforces stringent standards when deciding who receives the permit, Cotham said.
“The process includes a background check of the pilot and has to go through Washington,” she said.
Regardless of the waiver, some feel that flying a plane so close to the people is a violation of personal security.
“I don’t think there should ever be a plane that flies over a stadium with 90,000 people,” Conners said.
Some students labeled the tactic as scaring potential voters into voting for Terrell.
“I would consider not voting for her after doing that,” said Kristi Cedotal, a psychology senior.
Saturday night was not the first case in which an airplane carrying advertisements flew over Tiger Stadium.
“Earlier in the season we received a number of complaints from people in the stands, but if the pilots have the waiver they are within their legal rights,” said Gary Durham, public safety executive director.
Capt. Mark Shaw with the University Police Department said security officials immediately checked for a waiver and constantly were observing the plane.
“These are times that are uncomfortable and suspect,” Conners said. “We shouldn’t be subjected as fans to planes flying over what is a concrete target.”
Representatives from Terrell’s campaign failed to comment before press time.
Low-flying plane provokes criticism
By Justin Mouledous - Contributing Writer
November 19, 2002
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