But Investigation Into Conspiracy Charges Continues

Not guilty. That's the verdict the jury in the federal trial of Anchorage, AK-based charter company Security Aviation -- and its flamboyant owner, Robert "Commander" Kane -- over charges Security had illegally possessed and transported two rocket launchers.

The Associated Press reports the launchers -- which officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms maintain cannot be possessed by the public -- will not be returned to Kane, or to Security Aviation.

As Aero-News reported last week, a federal witness testified the launchers could have been mounted to two L-39 Albatros trainers in Security's fleet, that were found to have "hot" wiring to their weapons hardpoints -- making it possible, in theory, for the jets to fire the rockets.

The government also charged Kane with conspiracy... accusing Security Aviation of militarizing, and that the company had planned operations as far away as the Philippines. The US Attorney's office reports a multiagency investigation into those charges will continue.

Kane's lawyers argued throughout the trial the launchers were inoperable, and were just for show.

FMI: www.securityaviation.com