Why secretly funded DEA surveillance planes aren't flying

[spindrifter]

By Marisa Taylor | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — The first sign of trouble with the Drug Enforcement Administration's new surveillance planes surfaced almost immediately. On the way from the manufacturer to the agency's aviation headquarters, one of them veered off a runway during a fuel stop.

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In January, after less than 10 months of operation, the cascade of mechanical problems forced the DEA to ground the planes.

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The story behind why the DEA sought out the three planes, only to become the second federal agency to give them up, illustrates the pitfalls of "black," or classified, budgeting in which Congress approves tens of billions of dollars for intelligence agencies outside the public's view.

The twin-engine planes, manufactured by Schweizer Aircraft, likely came out of an even more shadowy funding provision known as "black earmarks," according to government officials with knowledge of the contract. The officials asked to remain anonymous because the planes, known as "Shadowhawks," received funding secretly.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/64789.html

[mitchum]

1. Fucking para$ites

[Skink]

2. People just can't afford the Crack it takes...

[Demeter]

3. Shadenfreude From the Black Budget Seems Appropriate

[DemoTex]

4. As a glider instructor, I have a lot of time in Schweizer products (SGS 2-33, 2-32, 1-26)

Schweizer is to ab-initio soaring what Cessna is to ab-initio power flying. However, the Schweizers (and I knew most of 'em) got into military aircraft during Viet Nam. A good friend of mine was killed in Viet Nam in a Schweizer YO-3A (a modified 2-32 sailplane with a super-quiet engine and prop). Perhaps Schweizer should stick to gliders.


Schweizer/Lockheed YO-3A