If you are a plane-spotter, and you are interested in the history of a particular aircraft, you know there are many documents publicly available: registration papers and airworthiness certificates from the FAA. You can also get flight data from the FAA.

It's common knowledge that most of the guys at Guantanamo are nobodies. Many were turned in by bounty hunters.

Civilian law around aviation is much looser than those governing military. Civilian planes can basically fly wherever they want in the world.

Trevor Paglen Quotes