Ballard's underwater search skills are huge, but using TIGHAR exec Gillespie as a source for search areas is problematic. Gillespie ties nearly every item he finds to Earhart, a shoe, a cosmetic bottle, various aluminum items, bones etc. None of the found items have been proven relevant as far as I know.
To conclude that the fuzzy distant reef photo shows an erect landing gear structure from Earhart's plane is nuts IMO. No seasoned tail dragger aviator would try that kind of landing with the gear extended. A nose-over flip would be almost guaranteed. Gillespie goes beyond reasonable speculation when he posits that Earhart successfully landed on the tidal reef gear down and the plane was later washed away leaving but one gear leg embedded.
What I like about the Cooper aviation mystery is that it can be explored and investigated without huge transportation expenses. No need to finance expeditions to remote mid-Pacific islands. No need for deep submersibles and their tenders. Bruce is living proof that wealth isn't a prerequisite for meaningful Cooper work.
Jumping again on Oct 19th with HF SSB radio gear and a trailing wire antenna. Should I be listening for Earhart and Noonan? 
What a joy to still be jumping as I turn 70. Almost all of my late 1960s jumper cohorts have hung up their gear for good. That day will come for me too, but hopefully not too soon. When I step out of that door at 14,500 feet I feel like I am 18 again.
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Login I almost wish, based on the negative reaction (even involving my name choice on forums!) I hadn't posted this news. It just came to my attention and I thought people here might be interested, as opposed to "infuriated"!
I can't speak for Ballard and his choice of missions. Or the The TIGHAR group some of whom I believe are Rockwell communications engineers. The answer could be as simple as: "Ballard can do whatever he wants to do! Whether it makes sense or satisfies others, or not."
I do know from a family member who worked for Ballard for 30+ years that 'Ballard usually chooses projects he thinks are doable or which test and expand capabilities and knowledge. Don't forget, Ballard is an academic. His home base was Yale for any years. Ballard is always looking to test and expand capabilities'. Ballard's involvement with TIGHAR may need no more explanation than that. The TIGHAR group does pose a specific theory and a rather specific search zone, whether there is actually anything there or not.
My relative explains that Ballard has been interested in the Earhart story for many years and considered searching for Earhart earlier but the lack of a specific area to search combined with costs and strategic supports and time available, made Ballard wait for a more appropriate opportunity. Ballard works with a team of people who must make joint decisions based on a series of assessments. For example, Ballard's discovery of the Titanic occurred at the end of a long arduous series of projects his team was doing for the Navy - time suddenly became available at the end of that project and the exact location of the Titanic was unknown. Ballard and his team decided to look for a debris field within a search zone. Once debris was suddenly identified they followed the debris trail ... and that lead to the Titanic itself.
Only Ballard can explain what his current reasoning is and what his future plans are. But at least he is looking.
