Posted on 01/08/2005 3:56:03 PM PST by Robinson Winslow
GA banned from Washington, D.C., for inauguration D.C.'s mayor and AOPA's Boyer incensed over closures
For eight hours on Inauguration Day, Washington, D.C., and the skies for miles around it, will be completely off-limits to general aviation. Similarly, the streets of the nation's capital will be closed to vehicular traffic. Security officials have declared that President Bush's inauguration on January 20 is a "national security event," and the FAA, responding to orders from the Defense and Homeland Security departments, has issued a flight advisory prohibiting all general aviation VFR flight within or above the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
"This is yet another example of GA being made a scapegoat in the name of security," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "All the evidence shows that GA aircraft do not pose a significant security threat — especially when compared to the devastation an airliner could cause. Yet the airlines are allowed to fly freely while GA pilots are essentially grounded."
The GA ban is in effect from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. The only exception is for IFR aircraft landing or departing Washington Dulles International and Baltimore-Washington International airports, but the FAA anticipates that the GA ramps at both airports will fill up with VIP aircraft. Once all the parking is taken, even IFR aircraft will be diverted to airports outside the ADIZ.
AOPA is not alone in questioning the over-the-top security measures surrounding the coming inauguration. Washington Mayor Anthony Williams has complained that multiple checkpoints and street closures imposed in advance of the inauguration are excessive, snarling traffic, damaging businesses, impacting tourism, and choking commerce in the capital city.
"The GA community understands the need for reasonable security measures around the inauguration," Boyer added. "What we don't understand is why the measures being taken for this inauguration are so extreme. These measures are unnecessarily displacing thousands of pilots, restricting their freedom, and resulting in loss of income for those who use GA to conduct their business."
AOPA continues to question the need for the ADIZ at all, arguing that it is an inappropriate "solution" to a nonexistent problem. "A small airplane weighing less than a large SUV and traveling at 120 mph just doesn't pose the same kind of threat — or create as narrow a response window — as a fully loaded airliner traveling at 400 mph," Boyer explained. "The ADIZ simply doesn't reflect those differences. All it does is restrict GA without doing anything to protect Washington and its citizens from terrorists."
January 6, 2005
I walked the American Sector yesterday w/ Kristinn. His walkthrough w/ the Park Service is Tuesday.
The two areas are not within direct sight of each other. One is on Pennsylvania Ave and another is in a plaza area in front of the Riggs Bank.
Walkie Talkies will be needed to maintain contact betwixt the two groups.
However, both areas are in full view of the Navy Memorial so if the fascists again rip down the American Flag, we can at least document it. 'Pod.
Since when do knuckle-draggers lisp? You got the "Presidente" part right though.
Some of the better load-carrying GA planes could carry a bang ... the Cub is so little, though! :-)
Another thought: the bad guys don't care if they're overgross. As long as you get in the green to take off.
This one deserves a special Zot, working on it.
"Eat dirt, crybaby"
You eat dirt puke!
ck/ping
"Care to back that statement up?"
As a 25 year member of AOPA, i'll back it up!
ROTFPOMSL
They are if you load them up with C4
Those are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know that the knuckle-draggers who accept everything on this website as "gospel truth" will lisp that a "troll" is attacking their beloved Presidente. But he's the one on the attack here at home. WAKE UP. Even Conservative members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association are close to nausea at the thought of the Gestapo running our nation indefinitely.Bye, Troll!
Signed,
KnuckleDragger.
He's dead, Jim!
He's dead, Jim.
(Click here or on the pic).
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Viking Kitty/ZOT ping list!. . .don't be shy.
KnuckleDraggers ALL! :^D
LOL that's funny
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