[VRWC_Member428]

Is anybody else around the country experiencing the same problem as of late???

[WellsFargo94]

I like the local news idea myself. That or hire a plane to fly a banner saying "FBI SUCKS"! That might get their attention, especially if that makes it on the local news.

[jlogajan]

Is it an ultralight? Different rules.

[Southack]

How small was the plane? Ultralights are generally considered exempt from those regulations, for instance. Did it have a fully enclosed cockpit? Could you see landing gear?

Regardless, five will get you twenty that a quick trip to the nearest general aviation airport will show you that little red plane parked out on the tarmac where you can go read the N number on the fuselage, and from there look up the owner via the internet...

[jlogajan]

"The FAA definition of an ultralight is found in FAR Part 103.1. The provisions are as follows: an ultralight is a single seat recreational "vehicle," which weighs less than 254 pounds "empty weight," carries 5 gallons of fuel or less, and is capable of flying as slow as 24 knots and no faster than 55 knots. That, basically, is the definition of a powered "ultralight" in a nutshell. (At the present time, we’re only talking about powered ultralights. However, Part 103 also governs unpowered ultralights, such as hang gliders.)"

"Now comes the details. First of all, notice that the FAA refers to an ultralight as a "vehicle," rather than as an "aircraft." The reason, it’s presumed, is so there’s no doubt that the other FAR provisions governing aircraft do NOT apply to Part 103 ultralights."

[Diddle E. Squat]

Rent 'North By Northwest'.

Seriously, go to the media with your story, its ridiculous how the beauracracy continues to slouch and slumber.

[Mensius]

I may have seen that guy today at 10:30am. Didn't figure anything was amiss. He looked as if he was just enjoying the sights, didn't get too close? Perhaps a half mile with an altitude of 1000ft???

I'm at the South edge of Hangman Valley. Hope it helps or eases your mind...

[prisoner6]

Don't worry. It's probably just the Free Republic Air Force buzzing Gary Condit's hideout.

prisoner6

[petuniasevan]

Some years back, when I lived in Northern California, something similar happened.
We thought little of it; I wouldn't even remember but some guy came around the neighborhood
a week later selling aerial photos of the homes on the block. Weird!

[alnick]

Call the FBI again. Maybe you'll get someone else.

[Lazamataz]

I have personally been targetted by Osama bin Laden at least twelve times today.

The latest example of his relentless skullduggery is that my Amex card snapped in two in my wallet.

The bastard.

[HiTech RedNeck]

While you're busy getting some amusement from the bureaucracy's nonresponse to the issue, get some binoculars and read the numbers. I doubt, however, that the FBI is going to care unless he's spilling or spraying something.

[Gracchus]

CONTRAILS!

[Inge_CAV]

The next time it happens call your local police and report the plane. They may have an officer in your neighborhood that can witness the buzzing.

More than likely it is just a new pilot out to impress his girlfriend or wife with his new flying skills. Or you may have an attractive neighbor that sunbathes nude by her pool.

[BlackbirdSST]

See if it comes back after a dose of .30 caliber fire!!!!
Blackbird.

[Squawk 8888]

It could be less sinister than you think- ignorance rather than malevolence. From your description it sounds like an advanced ultralight (two seats, ~1000 lb). Circling points and buzzing houses sounds like a couple of fairly common training exercises (ground reference, forced landing) so he may not be aware that he's chosen the wrong place. What is the neighbourhood like- are there lots of open fields around?

As for how to follow up, you have a couple of options. The FAA has a flight service number that operates 24/7, call 1-800-WX-BRIEF. You could also check the flight training firms at the local airport, they usually don't take kindly to students annoying the neighbours.

This thread reminds me again that GA regs in the USA are a bit too loosey-goosey for my liking. As a minimum I think they should require a licence for ultralight pilots.

[snopercod]

It's probably just a young man buzzing his girlfriend.

Go back to watching Oprah and stop all this foolish hysteria.

[Jethro Tull]

Is the plane flying in and out of the chemtrails?

[Movemout]

I live about 60 miles west of DC. We get a lot of single engine planes flying around on a nice day. I think it's a nice view of the mountains from our valley and reasonably close to Leesburg airport if they should experience any difficulty.

Year before last I took particular notice of one aircraft who hung around for several autumn days and constantly varied attitude. The only thing I could imagine was that some kind of surveillance was taking place for unknown (to me) reasons.

About a month later I came home and my wife showed me a framed photograph that she had purchased from a fellow who drove up to our rural 10 acre spread. It was an aerial view of our property with the oak trees in autumn splendor. I surmised that this was the aircraft that was buzzing around earlier. He was hustling for a buck.

[rabidralph]

After you get some info about the airplane, you can try going to Landings.com and clicking on Databases. You can look up the N-number (not to be confused with the N-word) and see who owns the plane. You can also search for NTSB reports about air crashes and incidents. I hope it's nothing. Also, I would definitely take your tape and info to the local media and have them ask why you're getting the run-around. They can also research the proper procedure to follow when anybody wants to report something suspicious like what you've experienced.