370 Citabria Theft, Beach Landing and Recovery with Rachael Webster & DC Midair Update + GA News

Rachael Webster recounts the surreal experience of having her airplane stolen from Palo Alto Airport. Initially mistaking the tampered aircraft for a kind gesture, she later received a call from the club informing her that her Citabria had been stolen and flown toward San Carlos with its transponder off. The aircraft was eventually discovered, nose-down but largely intact, on a beach south of Half Moon Bay. The thief, a man calling himself "Sun Rock," had allegedly sought to expose airport security flaws. After landing, he went for tacos and was promptly arrested.

The recovery process was complex, requiring approvals from multiple agencies, delaying removal and worsening damage due to saltwater exposure. Although insurance nearly totaled the plane, it was instead repaired after months of delays due to maintenance backlogs.

Despite the ordeal, Rachael remains positive, humorously considering marketing her aircraft as the only tailwheel trainer with "real beach landing experience." She has since launched a specialized tailwheel flight school, Next Level Tailwheel, incorporating Citabrias and Kitfox aircraft. Reflecting on the experience, she emphasizes patience in aircraft repairs, valuing skilled trades, and accepting that determined thieves will find a way—bike locks and all.

If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon.

Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk. Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1199 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $899Lightspeed Sierra Headset $699 My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu

Send us your feedback or comments via email

If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question using your phone.

News Stories

• Regional airliner destroyed following crash landing in Toronto
• Fatal midair collision at Marana, AZ
• Learjet owned by Mötley Crüe member crashes at Scottsdale Airport
• FAA fires fewer than 400 workers, transportation chief says
• Eviation Pauses Alice Development
• 10 Killed in Caravan Crash in Alaska
• Fatal Cessna Caravan Crash in Florida
• Stolen trailer carrying small plane found burned
• Airplane stolen in Mississippi found
• Skyryse One completes fully automated landing

Mentioned on the Show Buy Max Trescott's G1000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553Video of Week: Infrared Camera View Searching for Downed 208 Washington Post 3D Visibility Study of Reagan National Midair Best Portable ADS-B ReceiversNext Level Tailwheel Flight School #346 Tailwheel Flying with Jim Hopp

Free Index to the first 282 episodes of Aviation New Talk

So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification

Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we'll make a couple of dollars if you do.

Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android.

Check out Max's Online Courses: G1000 VFR, G1000 IFR, and Flying WAAS & GPS Approaches. Find them all at: https://www.pilotlearning.com/

Social Media Like Aviation News Talk podcast on Facebook Follow Max on Instagram Follow Max on Twitter Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium

"Go Around" song used by permission of Ken Dravis; you can buy his music at kendravis.com If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.