Has anyone brought up the possibility that this was a "publicity stunt" by the federal security apparatus?
Within the last few weeks, AOPA has been saying that they were close to a final arrangement that would get access back for the DC-3 airports locked within the Washington airspace. I've got to think that GA aircraft have gotten this close before, yet this is the first time the panic button was pushed.
This wouldn't be the first time the feds have done such a thing. The "Waco" incident obviously started as publicity for the BATF, where they brought in media people up front, and staged an operation in front of cameras totally unnecessary to arrest one guy.
If we can stir up some pajamahadeen, here's some questions:
Have GA aircraft penetrated this close before? How many and when?
What is the status of the DC-3 airports, and what was the proposed "solution" that AOPA was talking about?
Who pushed the panic button yesterday?
Thanks for the ping list, and I hope we can get some answers.
Have GA aircraft penetrated this close before? How many and when?
Two incidents I can think of. There was a motorcade with the president that was directly flown over by a cropduster, I think it was. Something like a year ago.
During the 2004 campaign, someone flew within a mile of a campaign stop with a stadium of people. I think the CAP chased him away, but not before he turned around a couple of times, like the guy did yesterday. I don't think Bush was even taken off the stage by the SS.
I've got to think that the DC area has had at least some incursions before.
Again the question: Why was the panic button pressed yesterday?