Step 1: Only get on a plane with a pilot who's instrument-rated. Step 2: Never get on a plane with any moron who decides he's arrogant enough to land on water, on Rockaway Beach, New York, at night.
Listen to the audio-video to get the full effect of an overly-casual conversation with air traffic control -- in two-way communication that makes it clear Jason Maloney, 24, plans to land at Rockaway Beach regardless of what air traffic control says.
It all sounds in a joking manner, as a very young "pilot" asks for permission to land at the Queens borough, New York, site -- his request repeatedly denied by air traffic control, due to lack of emergency. Denial for request to land was followed by the pilot's bizarre statements: "Just let us know if we're up in your grill," and ""Whoa ... What if I want to hide from you?"
The audio has to be heard to be believed.
The pilot, Maloney, and two on-board plane passengers who were apparently dumb enough to get on board -- Clark Oler, 22, and Chelsea Protter, 21 -- had departed by plane from Farmingdale, Long Island, when Maloney suddenly radioed air traffic control with requests to land the private aircraft.
Maloney radios in: "This might be crazy. But are we allowed to land on the beach?"
The polite controller responds, "I don't think so, unless it was an emergency"-- to which the Georgetown med student (playing pilot) responds, "I'm a paramedic, uhhh, is there anyone I can ask? Any private beaches around?" Air traffic control reminds the pilot again that it's prohibited without actual emergency.
An arrogant Maloney says, "You know, tower, my engine might be running a little, teensy, teensy bit rough. A little teensy bit rough."
The pilot was met by cops when finally choosing to land in the water at Rockaway Beach, New York. Maybe a passenger knows how to vomit on cue -- or was given instructions on inducing vomiting. Or maybe any stomach queasiness turned very real, with a realization that life could be suddenly lost through some idiot someone else has allowed to play pilot on a mission to hell.
Upon landing, "pilot" Maloney informed cops: "It happens in Alaska all the time!" It seems someone wishes he was on Discovery's 'Flying Wild Alaska'. A police officer informed him he was in New York. Maloney may not have a legal bill over an arrest but hopefully, for New Yorkers, the joyrides may be over. Aside from any fines, Maloney could have his pilot's license revoked. New York could only hope.
If you think the "pilot" is stupid, there's at least two dumber: those who believe life is worthless enough to climb on board with a fool who thinks he's a pilot.