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From: (no name) (no email)
Date: Mon Feb 03 2003 - 05:21:37 EST
In a message dated 2/2/2003 1:26:57 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
> I don't know the radius of the no-fly zone, but guess it is a mile or two.
> This distance would be traversed in two minutes by a slow 120 Kt airplane.
> There would be hesitation about whether this was really an act of terror in
> progress or just some innocent weekend flyer wandering where he shouldn't
> be. Visual contact would be necessary and an attempt to escort the
> trespasser out of the zone. By the time a fighter responded and all this
> was done I imagine would be too late, especially if there was some
> diversion done at the same time.
I've flown my old Aeronca, & later my acro bird, through Washington, DC.
There are several 'prohibited areas' that must be avoided (White House,
Capitol, etc). The controllers do a good job of keeping one out of these
areas but one can fly just at the edge of the prohibited areas. It would be a
piece of cake to dive at the White House, for example. If you remember, it's
been done twice in the past decade by Americans in small planes. Thankfully
no one was injured excepting the crazed pilots.
Camp David is also a prohibited zone. I've known several pilots who entered
the zone, were identified by their tail number by spotters on the ground, and
lost their flying privileges for a length of time.
Norm is correct about Norfolk, but failed to mention how the Navy deals with
errant boats. If a vessel is getting close to the established 100 yards
safety zone, the Navy is very quick to contact the errant vessel by radio and
ask what its intentions are. I have heard several exchanges on the radio,
with the Navy ordering the vessel to change course. I would imagine if it did
not change course a gun boat would be after it in short order. The penalties
for getting too close are harsh enough to discourage me: felony; possible
jail time; very hefty fines.
Oddly, at St Mary's sub base I was able to go within 50 feet of the
inspection(?) structure and take photos while the patrol boats just sat &
watched.
At Camp LeJune, even though the range was hot, I proceeded on. Two marine
gunboats closed on me. They asked if I realized the range was hot. I said
yes. They appeared dumbfounded but made no effort to stop me. They took up
positions on my beam, radioed back & forth & then escorted me through the
range. Very nice of them.
Fred Fraim
S/V Lupo's Run
Baltimore, Md.
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