Gyro-copter mailman delivers protest letters to Capitol lawn...

[ddavid 149]

A Tampa mailman delivered protest letters to Congress, yesterday, by landing his gyro-copter on the Capitol lawn:

Going Postal?!?

Cheers - Dai.

[MyPC8MyBrain 273]

always takes one idiot,

now we will be required to have lic for these!

 

These are legit home built heli’s kits, they are legal to land there technically!

Or anywhere else for that matter, you can land these legally; directly in your home parking lot,

 

other than the scare he raised; no aviation laws have been broken there!

[wain 879]

police took so long to get to him, if he had major intent to cause harm he had ample time... is it always as open as that?

Wayne

[MyPC8MyBrain 273]

this isn’t the Whitehouse; it’s a public area!

though this is not classified as a Heli; they share similar restrictions!

I believe Heli restrictions in UK are very similar to FAA restrictions,

essentially anyone with male intent can do just about anything with anything you can imagine these days,

[allardjd 1,853]

Quote

they are legal to land there technically!

 

No, not true.  There are some pretty serious airspace restrictions in the DC area, including the entire Mall, around and in which are White House, Congress, Supreme Court, Washington Monument, Smithsonian and many other memorials and monuments.  The actual prohibited area (P56) is the little crosshatched piece in the screenshot below.  Note that the capitol is labeled and is well within it.  

 

Note also that it is within the inner layer of the TCA for Washingon Reagan Airport (Class B airspace).  The inner layer goes down to the surface and the requirement there is that you must be transponder equipped and talking to ATC.

 

I expect some Secret Service agents are getting grilled right now about why this guy wasn't taken out with a MANPAD.  It may be the fact that President Obama was out of town that saved this moron's life.

 

 

 

John

 

EDIT:

I think the little circular area (P56-B) to the NW of the Mall area (P56-A), is around Blair House, the official residence of the Vice President.

 

JDA

[J G 927]

This git has effectively thrown away a perfectly good auto-giro.  That really is a crime.

 

As for the politics of it all, well you can stick that up where the sun don't shine.

[PCAviator 30]

Yep, its all hot air claiming total safety in these places, or any place for that matter. You can never guard against everything these days. He was lucky the security were NOT on their A-Game, or he might not have walked away from that stunt.

[brett 2,316]

He seems like a genial old guy but it really was a stupid stunt, his protest letters will probably go into an evidence locker and his original agenda will be soon forgotten.   

 

Congress will only be upset to the point that there will be that much less paper to wipe their rear ends after an expensive lunch.  

[allardjd 1,853]

The latest is that he's rejected a plea deal that was offered to him because it included "significant jail time". If he takes his chances in court and doesn't take the offered deal, he risks a lot more jail time.  I don't think this guys elevator goes all the way to the top.

 

John

[MyPC8MyBrain 273]

i think it’s the other's side elevator that doesn’t go all the way to the top,

It’s no more than a mischief behavior; there’s nothing criminal about what he did!

 

some people have connection up high; some people have money; some people have hutzpah or if you will moxie to get their word out

this can’t be used an exercise for few handful justice department wanna be prosecutors,

 

it’s a circus show today with all the media; take this 40 years back, this guy would be home with a slap on the wrist; which is how it should end up!

he didn’t have criminal motives; he wanted to get the media's attention not to hurt anyone!

 

condoning such ridicules legal actions puts us all at risk; the system is already flawed to the bone!

every one of us could find himself in this elevator one day!

[allardjd 1,853]

While I don't disagree with most of what you say about the legal system, particularly on this day when a few landmark Supreme Court decisions were handed, down,  nonetheless, I don't agree that a slap on the wrist is appropriate here.  It's post-9/11 and he deliberately, not accidentally, busted some of the most sensitive, highest level prohibited airspace in the country.  I don't think there is or ought to be an LSA exemption for Prohibited Areas in the national airspace, particularly when it's at the seat of the government.

 

Shining green lasers into airliner and helicopter cockpits at night is just mischief behavior too, but I don't think it ought to be taken lightly. 

 

I don't think they ought to throw this guy in the pokey for a decade, but I think some jail time and an attention-getting fine is appropriate.  I suspect that forfeit of his machine and his license to operate one is a foregone conclusion.  

 

Law enforcement has a component of deterrence and I think it would be a mistake to send the message that if you've got a beef with the government and didn't intend to do damage or hurt anyone, doing this kind of thing is OK.  It's not OK.  Protest is OK and should be protected if no laws are broken, but this isn't just a matter of free speech.  It goes beyond common protest and even civil disobedience.

 

John

[MyPC8MyBrain 273]

when i say slap on the wrist; i do mean relatively to the incident,

blowing it out of proportion to entertain the media and home spectators is not right on the expenses of someone who just wanted some attention

he didn’t blow up the hill; he just landed a private gyro copter very nicely and none dangerous way on the lawn; if this guy isn’t FAA certified pilot he probably didn’t even know it’s a closed air space,

 

these gyrocopter are home built kits; they require no FAA certification or permit to fly them, the company selling these will give you a deep discount if you take a one day safety seminar to learn how to operate it,

 

seriously i don’t like this post 911 reasoning; what does this means?

our government should terrorize its own citizens just because someone from enemy country was able to execute his plot?

 

it’s not enough that since then we walk barefoot in airports like were nomads;

all this added security and aggression or no tolerance behavior, loss of privacy in the name of security; against us; the people themselves?

if this was done to the country where the perps were sent from; great, but it’s all done to us at home as if we the citizen's groom terrorists in the back yard!

 

if this was in Afghanistan (no disrespect; just a war zone reference) and someone landed his light gyrocopter inside the base perimeters; this rezoning stands,

but not at home against its own tax payers!

 

the people i think should be accounted for this criminally; are the people getting paid to provide perimeter security; and maybe the local airspace agency responsible to secure the perimeters;

but they all failed and using this poor man to obscure the real offenders sleeping on their job!

 

if anything this man had exposed a huge security hole that needs to be plugged in.

 

[MartinW 0]

Shining green lasers into airliner and helicopter cockpits at night is just mischief behavior too, but I don't think it ought to be taken lightly. 

 

 

John

 

 

Not a good analogy. Lasers can temporarily blind pilots and lead to considerable loss of life. It's very dangerous. Landing a gyro copter, safely, where we shouldn't isn't dangerous, just embasrrasing to the authorities.

I do agree that the individual should be punished, but hopefully with a modicum of common sense.

[MartinW 0]

the people i think should be accounted for this criminally; are the people getting paid to provide perimeter security; and maybe the local airspace agency responsible to secure the perimeters;

but they all failed and using this poor man to obscure the real offenders sleeping on their job!

 

if anything this man had exposed a huge security hole that needs to be plugged in.

I kind of agree. Reminds me of the guy suffering from a mild form of autism, who hacked into US military computers looking for UFO info, highlighting that their security was garbage. Embarrassed them you see. What did they do.... accused him of destroying hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment [nonsense] and did everything in their power to lock him up for life.

[allardjd 1,853]

You're correct that neither the pilot nor the aircraft require certification, but they ARE subject to Part 103 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). This guy busted a bunch of that, in one of the most sensitive Prohibited Areas in the country. I don't have any serious expectation that anyone in authority is going to take the attitude that he should get special treatment because he meant no harm.

 

Selected excerpts from FAR Part 103: Ultralight Regulation

"The rule defines ultralight vehicles in two categories: powered and unpowered. ...while a powered vehicle must weigh less than 254 pounds; is limited to 5 U.S. gallons of fuel; must have a maximum speed of not more than 55 knots; and must have a poweroff stall speed of no more than 24 knots. Both powered and unpowered ultralight vehicles are limited to a single occupant."

 

"These rules for ultralight vehicles are needed to achieve an acceptable level of air safety by... ...and to provide protection to persons and property on the ground."

 

"The justification for allowing the operation of these vehicles without requiring aircraft and pilot certification has been that this activity is a "sport" generally conducted away from concentrations of population and aircraft operations. Like any sport, the participants are viewed as taking personal risks which do not affect others not involved in the activity."

 

"This section prohibits any ultralight operator from engaging in activity which jeopardizes the safety of persons or property on the ground or in the air. The prohibition against hazardous flight or dropping of objects is common to the regulations pertaining to civil aircraft, and the FAA is addressing ultralight operations with equivalent stringency."

 

"...the requirement for ultralight operators to obtain authorization prior to operating in prohibited or restricted areas is retained and restated under §103.19. Prohibited areas have been developed to provide for the safety and security of operations being conducted and to segregate activities considered to be hazardous to non-participating aircraft. Such operations in these areas include military and presidential security, flight training and testing, "

 

"Operations Over Congested Areas

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle over any congested area of a city, town or settlement, or over any open-air assembly of persons..."

 

"The FAA has determined that allowing any aeronautical activity to enter prohibited or restricted areas without prior authorization would derogate the purpose for which these areas were established."

 

"103.19 Operations in prohibited or restricted areas.

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle in prohibited or restricted areas unless that person has permission from the using or controlling agency, as appropriate."

[allardjd 1,853]

I do agree that the individual should be punished, but hopefully with a modicum of common sense.

 

 

We're in agreement then.  I said he shouldn't be locked up for a decade.

 

John

 

EDIT:  He's charged with six violations, two of them felonies.  If tried and convicted of all of them he could be sentenced to up to 9.5 years.  It's unlikely he'd get that much, nor do I think he should, but some jail time is almost inevitable, even for a first offender who meant no harm to anyone.  There are some things you just don't do and flying ANYTHING into a Prohibited Area is one of them.

 

I think he did this on a lark, and expected he'd get his 15 minutes of fame on the cable news programs and make the government look bad in the bargain.  I think he seriously misjudged the reaction of the authorities and is having his "Oh, crap!" moment now.   His angst is totally self-inflicted.  

 

JDA

[MartinW 0]

We're in agreement then. I said he shouldn't be locked up for a decade.

 

 

 

I know we are, that's why I said I agreed.

[Captain Coffee 2,030]

...

 

if anything this man had exposed a huge security hole that needs to be plugged in.

 

This is why they are making a huge deal...becuase "Embarrassment".

 

All the political rhetoric about how the Patriot Act, CIA domestic "surveillance", NSA, FBI wire tapping, Police State Arming and Armoring, Airline Security Groping, etc, etc will make Us Safe (Halleluiah!!!) so STFU and accept all the inconvenience, spying, violation of rights...and...it turns out they can't even keep what should be the MOST SECURE SPOT IN AMERICA SAFE...the Capitol lawn.

 

So, upshot/rimshot. A lone mailman delivers a message to congress, and the country, that we have all been fed an expensive crock of Post 9-11 bullshit that doesn't really, and can never work...because a lone guy with a mission/plan can get past any barrier/security measure (I am a presentable looking Caucasian courier with the gift of gab...I can talk my way past nearly any security guard at most big corporate buildings...a uniform, a badge (any badge), and a cheesy smile while feigning "being lost and Very late" will get you a long way through low paid low IQ security points...). And this guy wasn't even a rocket scientist or Hacker Genious...just a guy with a homebuilt kit plane.

 

/2 cents

[MyPC8MyBrain 273]

ok let’s try to differentiate two things here; ultralight suggests a need for a runway to land and take off,

a gyrocopter is in the ultralight category weight wise; but also in the helicopter category

in which your allowed to land this on any public field or even your own driveway if wished; legally!

you are not required to have a runway for takeoff or landing with a heli!

since this is a home built heli; you can assume the individual was not educated in FAA regulation to any degree; therefore suggesting he knowingly violated the airspace is not a given;

if you ask me; community work is all he should have to pay for his mischief act; maybe educate others on FAA regulation or something creative that is contributing to society

instead of sending a nonviolent non-criminal individual to jail on the tax payers expenses just to prove a point, or because someone was "embarrassed"!

the manufacture should not be allowed to sell these without proper mandatory education curse!

FAA should mandate these craft; instead of blaming the people,

here's the manufactures none mandatory safety curse which gives an immediate discount if used http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/mosqpricing.asp

next is the requirement list for US pilots - http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/skills.asp

and FAQ disscussing lic - http://www.innovator.mosquito.net.nz/mbbs2/faqmosquito.asp

[Captain Coffee 2,030]

I suppose one could charge him with "acting outside of color of authority" or some such thing. Since he used his "official guise of federal postman" to deliver what turned out to be Personal Complaint Messages from himself to Congress...ie...he was in Uniform, on Personal Business, while conducting an act of Mischief. If he was military they would definitely frown on that, as it is covered in the UCMJ in the Uniform use section. Not sure about if that is covered in the Post Office's UCPJ

[MartinW 0]

if you ask me; community work is all he should have to pay for his mischief act; maybe educate others on FAA regulation or something creative that is contributing to society

instead of sending a nonviolent non-criminal individual to jail on the tax payers expenses just to prove a point, or because someone was "embarrassed"!

I agree. A noncustodial sentence would be appropriate.

Changing the subject for a second... a tourist the other day decided to mess with a Queens Guard outside Buckingham palace. The guard aimed his rifle at the stupid tourist and said, "stand away from the Queens Guard!" Luckily the tourist did as he/she was told, otherwise the tourist would have been promptly arrested. Seems tourists [and some Brits] aren't aware that the Queens Guard are the real deal, real soldiers.

[allardjd 1,853]

"...but also in the helicopter category in which your allowed to land this on any public field or even your own driveway if wished; legally!"

But NOT legally in a Prohibited or Restricted Area - Being a helicopter or gyrocopter in the ultralight category does not exempt them from the requirements of FAR Part 103.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"...you can assume the individual was not educated in FAA regulation to any degree; therefore suggesting he knowingly violated the airspace is not a given..."

I don't think you can assume that he was totally ignorant of the issues. He's characterized his actions as "civil disobedience" in interviews with the press, casting some doubt on the unknowing part of it.

Additionally, it's not necessary that he knowingly violated a law. If his attorney can make a credible case for that in spite of his public declarations to the contrary, that MAY be taken into consideration by the judge as a mitigating circumstance, but it is not grounds to entirely excuse someone from violating the law. There's a pretty common principle in jurisprudence that says "Ignorance of the law is no excuse".

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"...instead of sending a nonviolent non-criminal individual to jail on the tax payers expenses just to prove a point..."

I don't think you can say he's non-criminal. He's not a gangster or an axe murderer or a terrorist but there's more here than proving a point. He violated some pretty serious aviation laws in the most sensitive Prohibited Area in the country and has publicly characterized it as "civil disobedience". I would expect he's not going to walk. If I did that, I'd have no expectation of getting a sentence of community service and probation - I'd expect some serious punishment.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"FAA should mandate these craft; instead of blaming the people..."

They did, when they published FAR Part 103.

[MyPC8MyBrain 273]

when did FAR 103 came about?

i haven’t followed the case on the news; (i keep away from news in general)

i'm not keen on the finer detail; if he know he was violating the air space in advance; i agree he should be treated with added seriousness,

i also agree that just because it’s a heli its ok to land it in a secured air space!

one thing come to mind; if it’s so secure; how come there was no immediate response for entering a secured air space?

i do have one statement to argue "Ignorance of the law is no excuse", that’s a cleshay!

there is not a single person on this planet that knows all the laws; or even half of them!

the law is something that’s been evolving and morphing over hundreds of years,

it takes professional attorneys to accumulate a very small piece of this cake during their lifetime; and that if they are exceptional!

how do you expect a run of the mill person to have a clue?

when we had the 10 commandments to live by; this would stick, today it just gives an umbrella for the legislator and no leeway for the citizens,

[brett 2,316]

I tend to think with all the publicity that he will get a fair sentence, a little jail time, fines and probation, probably with a anklet to keep track of him. There is no going against the charges as they are what they are. We can change the laws by legal means but the deck is stacked against us meddling citizens to their grand plan.  

[allardjd 1,853]

"when did FAR 103 came about?"

 

Federal Aviation Regulation Part 103 was adopted by the FAA on July 30, 1982 and went into effect on October 4th, 1982.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

 

"i do have one statement to argue "Ignorance of the law is no excuse", that’s a cleshay!

there is not a single person on this planet that knows all the laws; or even half of them!
the law is something that’s been evolving and morphing over hundreds of years,
it takes professional attorneys to accumulate a very small piece of this cake during their lifetime; and that if they are exceptional!

how do you expect a run of the mill person to have a clue?"

 

No, it's not a cliche' - it is, according to the paragraph from Wiki, below, a recognized legal principle in almost all legal jurisdictions.  The last two sentences are pretty apropos to this situation.

 

"The rationale of the doctrine is that if ignorance were an excuse, a person charged with criminal offenses or a subject of a civil lawsuit would merely claim that he or she is unaware of the law in question to avoid liability, even if that person really does know what the law in question is. Thus, the law imputes knowledge of all laws to all persons within the jurisdiction no matter how transiently. Even though it would be impossible, even for someone with substantial legal training, to be aware of every law in operation in every aspect of a state's activities, this is the price paid to ensure that willful blindness cannot become the basis of exculpation. Thus, it is well settled that persons engaged in any undertakings outside what is common for a normal person, such as running a nuclear power plant, will make themselves aware of the laws necessary to engage in that undertaking. If they do not, they cannot complain if they incur liability."

 

Also...

 

• United States: Model Penal Code Section 2.02(9) states that knowledge that an activity is unlawful is not an element of an offense unless the statute creating the offense specifically makes it one. Virtually all states that adopt the Model Penal Code do not modify this provision.