Cessna 182 violates Washington airspace: F16 escort

[Guest]

Morning,An interesting news item this morning:Plane prompts White House evacuationhttp://www.cnn.com/2002/US/06/19/white.hou...tion/index.htmlA Cessna 182 flying at 10,500 was "escorted" down by two scrambled F16's. Ouch! You know that (former?!) pilot had great need of a washroom upon landing! :-eekDoesn't look there was foul play in the least... Simply a mistake (um, a LARGE mistake). Evidently no aircraft are allowed below FL180 over Washington.Just thought it was interesting,http://members.rogers.com/eelvish/elrondlogo.gifhttp://members.rogers.com/eelvish/flyurl.gif

[Guest BrianC]

I can't believe any turkey would fly cross country so near to DC restricted airspace that a transgression is even possible. I have set a personal minimum of 5 nm from any TFRs that pop up around here, save for approaches to an airport or if there is an obvious landmark like the Lake Michigan shoreline to avoid.I read a while back that the majority of these TFR and permanently restricted airspace transgressions result in revocation of certificate. You'd think that would be enough deterrent.Maybe the AOPA needs to spread around a new slogan for pilots: "When it doubt, stay the #$% out!" :DSigned,Concerned About My Freedom To Fly

[Guest DNelson]

It's morons like this that make me ashamed to be a private pilot. Even before September 11, anyone with enough intelligence to obtain a PPL should know enough to stay well away from restricted and prohibited airspace.Dan

[Guest GalacticCowboy]

Supposedly he was trying to avoid some bad weather and lost track of his position. However, as already stated in the thread, he's without excuse - there are few "sins" in the aviation world worse than blundering about up there without knowing where you are.

[Fitz505 21]

They are reporting on the news, he was long gone from the White House area before the F16's that were launched from Andrew's showed up. I'll bet somebody is going get yelled at. Watched an interview with the pilot and he seemed somewhat amused by the whole thing. Wonder if the FAA is going to have the same atitude.

[gosta 0]

'A Cessna 182 flying at 10,500 was "escorted" down by two scrambled F16's.'Wouldn't a helicopter have been more appropriate? Just wondering, considering the differences in operating speed...Cheers,Gosta.