Stupid Ignorant Aviation Reportage

That would be the New York Times, which is upset at the idea that a fugitive from justice still has a pilot's license and owns an airplane.

This is why it is stupid: I have had a private pilot's license for over 30 years. I have owned my own airplane for 20 years. I have never ever flown into anyplace where I was asked to show my pilot's license. Most of the places where I once rented airplanes from did not ask to see my license; my ability to fly during the checkouts spoke to that. Where they did ask, it was on so they could make a copy for their records for insurance purposes.

If this is surprising to you, ask yourself when was the last time, other than a traffic ticket or renting a car, that anyone asked for your driver's license for anything to do with your eligibility to operate a motor vehicle.