Safe House

[Odahi]

It's certainly not MY idea of a "safe house," its location is in a very UNsafe area. That said, I agree it's probably more an advertising tool and peace of mind against burglars and such. My ideal retreat would look like a run-down, preferably abandoned small house. Interior provisions and protection would definitely NOT be open for discussion with or inspection by a reporter. Misdirection and a low profile. Or as Mrs. O says, "No evidence, no witnesses."

[NVGdude]

I think you can only rely on your pilot if it is you. Something like a Zenith STOL 701 with the folding wing option could fit into one bay of a garage, and wouldn't require much of a takeoff run. .

70 feet, IIRC The 701 is a slow turd but it's takeoff and landing performance is incredible.

[Netpackrat]

I think you can only rely on your pilot if it is you. Something like a Zenith STOL 701 with the folding wing option could fit into one bay of a garage, and wouldn't require much of a takeoff run. .

70 feet, IIRC The 701 is a slow turd but it's takeoff and landing performance is incredible.

Yeah, assuming you've got enough clear space to take off, my biggest concern would be exposure during the time needed to pull it out, unfold the wings, and runup. Just another example of how if things are really bad enough that you need to evacuate, it may be too late to actually get out. Also, you'd want to get up to altitude as quickly as possible, because something that slow would make a relatively easy target for ground fire compared to faster aircraft. At the same time, if there is still some functioning government, there may be restrictions on air travel, in which case treetop level would be the only realistic way to go.

[blackeagle603]

Bahhh. With that kind of money a guy just buys and Ironman suit and blasts outta there through the roof.

[HTRN]

Or you could simply have a "cul de sac", because you "need the extra parking", and keep a MD530 in the garage..


HTRN

[308Mike]

Or you could simply have a "cul de sac", because you "need the extra parking", and keep a MD530 in the garage..

Sure. How many people do YOU know that can pick up flying one of those in an emergency and NOT kill everyone on board in the first 30 seconds?

[HTRN]

How many people can pick up driving for the first time, and then go on a major interstate during rushhour?

If you need a skillset and can afford it(let's face it, money is the least of your concerns is you have a nearly 8 million dollar house, and a copter that costs something like 1.1 million from the factory), you pay and get them.


HTRN

[workinwifdakids]

The problem with aviation is that during a scenario requiring its use you'll have to be your own aviation mechanic, and be carrying the tools, parts, and consumables you'll need when you get to where you're going. Having enough space for your family isn't nearly good enough: you need the space and power to lift you, your peeps, and all your crap. That's not even a Page 11 small-print article in the local section to us, but do you honestly think most people know that?

Here's what I envision happening: plentiful plane loads of limousine liberals and high-end corporate types fleeing like locusts, most with some cash and an LL Bean vest, and then either A) dropping out of the sky due to a dearth of maintenance, fuel, and/or experience; B) landing somewhere (probably at an unintended locale) and never being able to take off again; or C) landing at an airport where crafty gentlemen with more ammunition than morality are evacuating the aircraft of wine and women in an orderly proficient manner.

The best thing to do is what Old Grafton said: don't broadcast. Or, in my dad's words: never tell them all you know, and never show them all you have.

[Precision]

this is MUCH more of my idea of a "safe house"

http://www.landandfarm.com/properties/1 ... treams.asp

clear fields of fire from a house on a hill
1350 acres
water on property fed by a spring
trout and game on property

and its $3.5 MILLION less than the silly LA mansion.

I think I could get a few class III toys, a great gen set... for a bit less than the difference

[308Mike]

How many people can pick up driving for the first time, and then go on a major interstate during rushhour?

Yeah, but crashing a car at 10 MPH isn't likely to kill everyone on board, where flying a helicopter CAN. You don't even have to go out during rush hour on a major interstate for that, you can even do it in a deserted "parking lot" - plus, flying a helo is MUCH harder than flying an airplane (except an airplane needs runways).