Fwd: THE ARREST

[Brian Nightingale]

I've forwarded an email from OBTP on the reality of your rights as a pilot

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Bob Youngblood <youngbl...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Aug 21, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Subject: THE ARREST
To: Soaring Aviators Group <sa...@googlegroups.com>

I have held this event for some period of time and I have decided to tell the story once and for all for all glider pilots to enjoy. 

For all glider pilots please pay close attention because you may be in the same type of situation at the least expected time. time of the event was in the spring of 1989, location Rome, Georgia, Richard B Russell airport, AKA, KMRG. For years I had been traveling to Georgia about twice a year to visit my family, I lived in Miami at the time and I would trailer my Std. Cirrus, N3LB, to Rome where I would encourage some adventurous pilot to give me a tow. Now these are not your regular tow pilots, rather a bunch of good olé boys who looked forward to something new and adventurous. 

The tow pilots were a great bunch of guys that enjoyed towing OBTP as much as anything. I would just tie a rope to the rear tie down ring on their 172's and tell them to get me into the sky at a climb speed and there would be no problem. I had been flying in and around Rome for years in my STD CIRRUS and had some great flights going over into Alabama, up to Huntsville and south to Pell City. Flying around Rome was good, especially toward Cave Springs and up toward Dalton. I was the only reformed redneck who flew out of KMRG, each year brought a new adventure.

Moving forward a few years to 1989, My wife , Eileen and I would take our new ASW20L to Rome and fly about twice a year. Things were very good in North Georgia, the airport people were super, the soaring was great, and the BBQ at Troy's BBQ was excellent. I March, Eileen and I headed to Rome to visit my mom and dad and fly the 20, N3EB. Each year we would invite the school kids and others to  examine the sailplane and we would let the kids enjoy sitting in the 20. The airport was a great place to visit, the people were friendly, and accommodating.  We paid hangar rent paid the guys to give us a tow and all went well. 

After arriving in Rome we went to the airport and once again were greeted by nice friendly people who helped us store the sailplane in the big hangar and I paid a week in advance hangar rent. All was good until I received a call from the sheriff dept telling me that the airport manager said that I was trespassing and wanted me to remove my sailplane. I went to the airport to meet the sheriff and showed him my receipt and he told me to just ignore the complaint that my receipt was enough and as far as they were concerned was justified occupancy. 

Thinking that all was settled, I returned to my family home for dinner and a bit later there was a knock on the door informing me that they has an arrest warrant from a Justice Of The Peace, and I was wanted for criminal trespassing. Yep, I hopped in the back of the patrol car and headed to the Floyd County Jail, where I was booked for criminal trespassing. While I was in the booking room the good guys at the sheriff department were laughing with me about the event, I knew most of the officers, had gone to school with many of them and they treated me to soft drinks and cookies.

I didn't  stay at the jail long, my mother came and picked me up and I continued my stay in Rome for the next few days making a few good flights. Soon the vacation was over and Eileen and I headed back to Miami where we waited for a court date. Soon came the news that I would be scheduled for a court date in the Floyd County court system. I had already hired an attorney named Gregg Price, who later became a judge.

So, here we are in court going through the whole ordeal of jury selection and all the details of going to trial. I was before a judge named Robert Royal, a really nice and friendly guy. Judge Royal was more interested in flying glider questions than he was the county attorney prosecuting the case. The judge did a great job of chastising the prosecution and I could tell that he was becoming irritated at the prosecution.

Now it was time for me to take the stand and I certainly welcomed the opportunity. As usual OBTP had all the details in order including the receipt for the hangar rent. Judge Royal asked me a few questions which I honestly answered. I noticed that his attitude toward the county attorney was really becoming annoying. Finally the Judge looked directly at me while on the stand and simply offered an apology on behalf of the people of Floyd County and addressed the prosecution and stated the following, "Direct Verdict, NOT GUILTY". Mr. Youngblood the people of Floyd County apologize for this  unfortunate event, please come to Rome Georgia and fly your glider whenever you wish. He then turned to the county attorney and made the statement, "You Haven't Heard The Last Of Mr. Youngblood". 

Soon after I entered a suit against the county and made my point very clear. The airport manager was replaced and county held behind the sovereign immunity clause. I continued to fly in Rome for many years. OBTP    

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[Mitch Deutsch]

Great story, Bob.

In the late '80's and early 90's I was a member in the Atlanta Soaring Club, flying out of Etowah Bend in Kingston GA, about 25 miles SE of Rome. Our chief instructor Derek Johnson, originally from across the pond, was quite enamored with the topography around the Rome airport and arranged numerous glider encampments there starting in late December 1988 through March 1990.

As there were wind-facing ridges surrounding the airport,  Derek was particularly interested in teaching us ground launching, a practical way to soar the ridges.  And as we were to find out wave conditions were sometimes present.

For the autotows on the 6000 foot runway, we used a 1500 foot rope attached to the back of a 1969 Ford LTD, which through the 4 bbl carb on its 390 cubic inch motor, achieved one autotow per gallon of premium fuel.  Most folks were able to get away about a third to half of the time. 

Though we monopolized the runway for substantial periods at a time, the folks at the airport were quite friendly and accommodating and supported our presence.  Thanks Bob for the advance work!

[Eric Greenwell]

" the reality of your rights as a pilot" - So, land at Ocheekonopee airport and sue the manager if they hassle you? Or did I miss the point? I do wish I knew the airport manager's reasons for his actions. Also, a bit alarmed that tying the tow rope to the towplane seemed like a good idea to everyone involved. Maybe the manager had some safety concerns.

Eric