Inappropriate and utterly juvenile. What ever happened to “discretion”, that admirable quality that was part of our past generations? What is allowing us to drop to lower standards to civic decency every day? Where does the desperate need for attention that kids like this one have come from?
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Inappropriate, yes! On the other hand stuff like this happens because it gets attention. You would think the FAA and FlightAware would have thought about things like this happening, and would have taken some effort to screen for this before allowing it to be released to public. After all the FCC would have fined any TV station for broadcasting this. And I can think of a lot more juvenile and destructive trouble a bored teenager could get into. A little surprised that this is even a subject on this web site considering the political connotations involved. Should be an interesting job to moderate this thread.
Perhaps borderline appropriate. Personally, I would have chosen different language, but he’s probably just expressing what many of us are thinking.
The teenager could easily have used an acceptable word for his frustration. Too lazy or illiterate, or doesn’t care. What is clever or impressive about offensive disrespect? Nothing.
Oh my, you commenters sure have tender “ears”. I think most people have heard or seen this word before. The FCC is already a needless nanny for television. It’s just a word folks.
I compliment the kid on the flying skill that is required to follow a complex flight path with such accuracy.
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Me, too, David. Looks like a lot of people who hang out here live in glass houses and haven’t heard of the First Amendment ?
Agreed. And really, the past generations have done plenty of indiscretions themselves. At least this kid wasn’t doing hard drugs or rioting or draft-dodging. Actually, it shows patience and discipline to fly a precise enough flight path for 2 hours for it to be legible.
Lighten up, Francis! Not like the kid was skywriting it (although he would have done an admirable job it appears…) and I applaud his creativity, flying prowess and patience to carve that out over two hours at a 100 knots!
And who says today’s youth has no future? Look forward to him doing it in a scramjet over the entire U.S. twenty years from now!
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Discretion of past generations? Oh my, we are wearing rose colored glasses aren’t we? For any past generation you want to name, we could go back and witness the parents of said generation shaking their heads and making the exact same statement that you just made about “the young whipper snappers” of that time. 
FCC rules are a throwback, and so are puritan sensibilities about language. What’s acceptable/not-acceptable is both contextual and ever changing. The FCC sets rules for broadcast content, and guess what? It’s contextual. Some things deemed unacceptable during times when children might be watching suddenly become acceptable at other times. That aside, what this young man did will not be broadcast; the only way you can be offended by it is if you go looking for it. Why would you go looking for things to offend you?
Just a few decades ago the word “bloody” when used as an adverb in British English was considered incredibly offensive. Nowadays, no one bats an eye. Much the same thing is happening here in America when it comes to the “F” word. I suspect in a few short decades it will be just another adverb, used by schoolchildren everywhere.
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He needs to have his mouth washed out with avgas.
Well put, Robert. I agree wholeheartedly.
I seem to recall, not too long ago, a lot of commentors saying ‘what’s the big deal?’ about a couple of fighter jocks drawing a big penis in the sky. Just had to look up to see it. It wasn’t hidden behind the practical obscurity of having enough knowledge to bring up FlightAware, know and enter the right N-number, and then pull up the correct flight from the list.
The kid ‘looks’ as if he’s clean cut and half intelligent. Leave him alone!
Keep giving up your liberties … won’t be long before you don’t have any !!
I’m old enough to remember a time in the early 60’s when someone came onto Jack Paar’s nightly show (before Johnny Carson) and said the word “toilet paper.” Paar threw him off the show. SO … by that standard, this kid oughta get the “chair.”
Muwahh! Back in muh day, we didn’t have fancy aeroplanes to go lolly gaggin round the sky. Only thing we had was a bedsheet, and we’d jump off the roof of the house. We’d jump off the roof and break our legs and the other kids would stand there and laugh at you while you withered in pain…that’s the way it was and we liked it!
It’s that durn rock-and-roll music!
There are two ways to express one’s feelings. Some are appropriate, some are not. Since the “F” word is now part of the mainstream way of communicating just about anything…from feeling exceptionally good to feeling exceptionally bad, and is used pretty often in normal language exchanges describing one’s feelings regarding just about anything in between…as a society we seem to think the “F” word usage is now part of the new normal of expressive language.
So, WTF, chill, don’t get your "F"ing underwear in a bunch because some "F"ing teen “F” head used common everyday "F"ing language to express his "F"ing outrage for Covid-19 shortening his "F"ing school year. If this comment does not get deleted…does this way of expressing myself seem appropriate? A lot of people do talk this way.
Was it carefully chosen by the teen pilot because he has such a poor command of the English language? Is this how his parents and grandparents speak, therefore he knows no other way of expressing himself? That’s a distinct possibility. Let’s face it…the “F” word is mainstream expression today. But I don’t believe that’s the case. I think he knew exactly how to get on FB, YouTube, CNN, Fox News, and even Avweb…just like the fighter jocks did the penis skywriting spectacle.
Today,while deep down inside we know of many things that are inappropriate, we know the inappropriate is the fast track to 15 minutes of viral fame…further immortalized for future reference as a meme for FB that has enormous possibility of being used and re-used over and over in the future. So, like this teenage pilot with obvious, stick and rudder skills, combined with great situational awareness abilities with his demonstrated use of onboard navigation devices, will be immortalized as the FlightAware “F” Covid-19 flyer. Instead of of learning an appropriate way of demonstrating his prowess…he knew that would not get much attention…he went the route of graphic, dumbed down language not to show his piloting skills but to get a massive amount of attention. He succeeded in spades.
He knows the best way to get noticed is do something that is inappropriate, edgy, but mainstream enough to cause controversy but yet appeal to a large enough audience that will approve of this behavior. This way, he gets noticed, his flight goes viral, he is now famous because he specifically used the “F” word …and he will get a lot of support for his choice of words creating enough debate to keep him out of any sanctions or legal trouble. He knows he can hide behind the freedom of expression right…and go viral another over and over again as we debate that right to express ourselves any way we feel is appropriate.
Our new normal is use of the “F” word is appropriate enough for online, display because it it edgy enough to be inappropriate in most normal face to face conversations. It demonstrates “keyboard courage” that is seen on so much texting and on-line communications of just about everything. So, inappropriate for face to face communication is the new appropriate for anything outside of that. I find that so inappropriate.
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You folks are clutching the wrong strand of pearls.
In our new Bigger Brother airspace environment, I’m inclined to digitally skywrite “F— FlightAware & FAA” for making every trip, every diversion, and every stop visible to any moron with a modem. It was one thing when you had to have a 'scope (and supposedly, bigger fish to fry) to monitor my noodling around. Now, any idiot with a cellphone can get my tail number any time I use ATC, and from the helpful FAA website get my name and address, and from FlightAware get a pretty good idea when I’ll be home.
And you guys are worried about scatology?
Oh, my. I must agonize extensively over this today.
On second thought, I think I’ll go ahead and mow the lawn.
It’s actually a thing, guys. F#@k Cancer is a movement/organization/Canadian charity that gets a lot of social media play to inform about early detection of cancers. Maybe he was playing off that group, I don’t know.
I suppose it was more gratifying for him than sewing masks or some other boring thing in reaction to the crisis.
Let’s see. By your account then every airmen (including women) will have free license to curse during tower and atc radio conversations. Think about what you presume is ok by your loose definitions of using the ‘F’ or "S’words via radio comms, advertising, planned flight recorded on Flightaware. There’s civility in conversations when flying using radio comms and then personal discussions anywhere that isn’t recorded. Your opinions may be uncensored but according to you uncensored radio comms is in the future. Hopefully you’re mistaken as I and I suspect many others in the flying community will not accept profanity during radio communications. Perhaps I’m wrong…
Try using profanity during radio comms to tower and ATC. Please get back to us…
There’s no doubt in my mind that this young man has exceptional flying skills to draw his thoughts in the sky knowing full well Flightaware recorded it. Perhaps he doesn’t know everything by displaying his articulation in skywriting without leaving smoke trails but definitely in recorded radar tracking. Does he have the discipline to refrain from using profanity in the future?
Thinking about it some more, he shoulda written, “F China!”
Just in the last two days, I’ve had major medical impact because of the virus so … that’d be MY Flight Aware bread crumb trail.
I see what you did there…”An Army without leaders is like a foot without a big toe”…you sir, are our new big toe. Now all you need to do lead a bunch of reactionaries who seem to want to liken this event to broadcasting on the public airwaves. Good Luck, you’ll need it?
I’ll bet that I can do an age demographics by reading the comments. For many older individuals, that is a very strong, profane word. However, in today’s society, it is practically commonplace, and used by both sexes (often more by the “fairer” sex!) in everyday speech. I worked in the construction industry for years, and if all words that were used were to be catalogued, this one would be in the top three!
As some have mentioned, he appears to be a pretty clean-cut kid, possesses a reasonable level of both flight and data skills, and isn’t on the front page for drugs, gang crime, etc, so I agree with many - lighten up! And I’m going out a short distance on a limb by saying he is well intelligent enough to know to NOT use it in formal conversation (read:ATC)! Besides, I’m jealous…
Why am I not surprised?
I wouldn’t expect him to know specifics of how to fly a Max, but he should have been asked what he thinks about the legitimacy of the push for a 100LL replacement, and if the hype about the dangers of LL is backed up by credible authority. That, he should know.
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In my line of reasoning, lack of knowledge in the field of aviation would make a candidate a GREATER risk to be swayed by some of the many interest groups the FAA rules cover.
I support the motion, good idea. Paul Bertorelli for Administrator.
I second the motion
Never happen, that would be far to sensible. Besides, I think Paul would be way too smart to let himself get sucked into that vortex.
So a non-pilot asks a non-pilot a pilot question and deems him unfit for the job when he can’t answer? I’m not going to say being a pilot can’t be helpful, but shouldn’t there be at least someone who IS a pilot asking him questions during the confirmation hearings? Same thing for education, energy, transportation, etc; there should always be at least one person who has direct knowledge of the subject involved in all confirmation hearings.
Ever since Langhorne Bond, I have always felt that the FAA director should have relevant expertise in the aviation field.Unfortunately so many political appointments are based on cronyism and not qualifications. Good to hear the potential appointee’s feet are being held to the fire. Another case in point, the Transportation Secretary.
Why is there no “quiz” for the highest office in the land, or event the second? Shouldn’t that be the biggest quiz of all? All other top jobs require a certification, license or something!
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Excellent idea. Paul B. for administrator, and Mike Rowe for President. At the very least, how about filling these positions due to a person’s experience and qualifications, rather than what they look like.
That’s what campaigns and debates are for. Appointees unilaterally nominated by the occupant of the highest office have no such exposure to the voting public, only exposure to scrutiny by elected representatives of the voting public. Nominees for the various positions are in line for authority delegated by the occupant holding the highest office, hopefully to administer their department from a place of more specific knowledge in these fields than would be expected from the person in the highest office. The nomination process attempts to give the nation something better than a simple rubber-stamp approval of an unqualified nominee whose sole purpose is to promote a specific political agenda.
If a certificate or license granted by the bureaucracy is a prerequisite to “serving the people”, that illustrates the problem and not the solution.
Paul as Administrator wouldn’t work–he tends to speak what is really on his mind–instead of the indecipherable doublespeak of Washington.
Instead, these posts are filled with career government lackey’s (defined: “serville follower” or “a person who is obsequiously willing to obey or serve another person or group of people”.
Is it any wonder why government is held in so little regard by those it was originally designed to serve?
It goes back to the old adage–“If you want to get something done, hire a busy man.”
What a perfect quote!
Expertise isn’t always a good indicator either, witness some of the technocrats whose performance turned out to be less than stellar. To a large extent these appointments are always a crapshoot.
It’s been a year since the FAA has had a confirmed administrator, and Washington’s nomination has dragged on for eight months. Has ANYBODY noticed this? We’ve gotten along fine WITHOUT a head of the FAA.
It should give people pause to ask “WHY do we have this useless position and associated bureaucracy?”
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I love Paul’s work and his forthright attitude but his fatal flaw is not having experience running a massive organization. There’s more to this job than being able to pass the ppl written.
Reference the qualifications’ thing for president, how’s that working out for the country for the last two and a half years?
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Bill, The FAA Administrator and staff are way to important to be bothered by pesky G.A. issues. The FAA keep a couple employees in the basement next to the couple of registration folks to deal with that G.A. thingy stuff. Jet-A lobbyist fuel the FAA Admin. Office. 
I wanna to be Manager of the Small Aircraft Directorate so I can help, too …
I admit, I’m of two minds here.
I’ve seen projects saved by skillful people management without much knowlege of the specifics of how to reach the goal.
On the other hand, understanding the goal is another matter. My concern here is that he doesn’t understaand the first principles of what the job entails, and might be antagonistic to them.
Agree re: the nominee’s ability toboth lead and manage complex organizations. Your second paragraph is unhelpful.
An FAA administrator must be able to “see around the corners” and sense when something is going wrong. This pattern recognition capability is only available to people who have experience in a field. Every week there is a new report of a runway intrusion and other situations that could have resulted in disasters. If you listen to the Biden administration, they tout the race and gender identity of the people they hire. I would much rather them promote the deep experience their nominees have in the field which they will administer.
SOMEBODY has to wear out N1, Jim …
Agree, Raf. If you owned the FAA and needed a new CEO, would you pick someone who ran the Olympics or someone who is a former airline pilot with management expertise?
Here is the question, look at the qualifications of the current acting FAA head administrator who seems highly qualified specifically and over all, and ask why is Washington even being considered. The answer is that unlike the current acting director, he checks all the Biden Admin boxes that have nothing to do with actual job qualifications.
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A+ comment. When humor and truth intersect a strong point is made.
Aye
I see, since this morning, they have deleted (Censored) all the Anti-Biden comments. AVWEB must really want this new guy. Makes you wonder if reading their stuff passes through the White House before they all us to read anything.
What happened to the comments criticizing Biden for his poor choices in appointees? Did avweb get purchased by Facebook? Can we really trust news sources that censor honest opinions that go against the lefts narratives?
It appears the word B—I…D…e+++n is automatically censored on this article…
He cuts Joe’s mustard.
brplalalahoohoohooyipyipyip… I figured you’d understand better if I spoke Biden.
America voted for the unqualified…Or so they say.
A whole lot better than the four years prior to that, but neither your comment nor mine is helpful to this conversation.
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The Gentleman left the military 22 years ago, does that not make him a civilian?
Sounds like you hit the trifecta - utterly right, three times in a row.
Hi all,
I posted this on another article, when acting admin Mr Billy Nolen testified in congress recently. They already have the perfect fit. I saw Mr Nolen at airventure
last yr., he spoke at the annual meet the administrator at theatre in the woods.
American airlines B757/767 rated, served in safety positions american, qantas,
and FAA. Very knowledgeable, articulate, well spoken. adsb, mosaic, okc delays at aircraft airman and cert branch. WHY are they not making him perm faa administer?
retired usaf and faa atc here .38 yrs. Weve had some doozies as faa administers.
Mr Nolen moved up the ranks, knows the nuts and bolts. He’s the real deal.
l nominate Mr Billy Nolen to be permanent FAA administer.
michael r.
I listened to the acting Administrator at Airventure; he seemed pretty qualified to me.
Paul would need a special waiver to fly his Cub in the FRZ and land on the mall.
William Buckley famously said in 1965 that he “would rather be governed by the first 2000 people in the Boston telephone book than by the Harvard faculty”. Spot on. Well, Boston might not be the best choice of cities.
If only pilots could select
Do you think he wants the job?
It’s not clear what qualifications Mr. Washington would bring to the position. Having some relevant piloting experience would surely help understand aviation issues. Mr. Nolen has handled the job well so far and seemingly would be a good candidate for the appointment.
There many text messages flying around from my fellow pilots aghast at Mr. Washington’s lack of aviation knowledge. The primary reason for knowledge and experience is it creates a fine tuned BS filter. It’s critical that an administrator has a good BS filter. Without a BS filter, all kinds of mayhems can occur.
Kind comment. The situation is devolving into a chaotic and farcical spectacle.
Especially your “head in the sand” comment…
??
While detailed oriented questions might not always be a fair litmus test for a strategic level leadership role, the fact that he lacks ANY knowledge about aviation is concerning. There must be other more qualified options to nominate to head the FAA.
Not surprising at all. I would’ve been shocked if they chose someone highly qualified and informed. I think it’s arrogant to apply for a job that you’re not qualified for.
Billy Nolen for Administrator. He has the education.
Actually, yes. The entire industry has noticed the lack of progress within the agency as the acting administrator works through his acting leadership structure to manage the agency, ineffectively. A year of ineffective decision making and stalled progress, leadership turnover, and historically low experience levels. What could go wrong?
Lets Call a Club a club the fact that he checks the skin color box is the real reason he was chosen my best friend a Black retired controller from Burbank tower would have been a great choice if skin color and aviation system knowledge was the only requirement but CEO type experience is required too I would of put a student pilot in front of him to ask questions, this would of punctuated the problem. with all the near mid-air and ground incursion deals its obvious people in the transportation industry are being chosen for reasons other than qualifications it is a clear and present danger to all of the pilots counting on Ground people to be competent, Very Dangerous in this “Brave new world”