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3,400 airspace violations since 9/11

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A1FlyBoy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Posts
682
WASHINGTON -- Pilots flew into restricted airspace 3,400 times across the country in the three years following the Sept. 11 attacks, according to a congressional report that says the government needs to better coordinate its response to such violations.

One agency should be in charge of steering planes away from restricted zones, according to the Government Accountability Office report, obtained by The Associated Press ahead of Thursday's hearing on the subject by the House Government Reform Committee.

Committee Chairman Tom Davis, a Virginia Republican, said it's essential for agencies that oversee the skies to work together.

"A quick, coordinated response is absolutely vital if we are faced with a pilot or a plane with hostile intent," Davis said in a statement.

The Federal Aviation Administration, the North American Aerospace Defence Command and the Transportation Security Administration are responsible for making sure pilots don't fly where they shouldn't.

Jets have been scrambled more than 2,000 times since the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, including several well-publicized incidents during which private planes strayed into the restricted zone over Washington, causing the evacuation of the White House, the Capitol and other government buildings.

The GAO said there is no single leader of the airspace security effort.

"Without central leadership, the potential exists for a somewhat slower response to a violation as the agencies decide who is in charge while the violating aircraft continues to operate in restricted airspace," the report said.

The report also said the agencies don't always share information about airspace violations and don't define an airspace violation the same way.

All three agencies took strong exception to the report, saying the current system works well.

"It's been a success," said Master Sgt. John Tomassi of NORAD. "Although these things do happen, we can't prevent everything."

"The FAA takes all incursions very seriously," said agency spokesman Greg Martin. "We'll continue to work with the GAO, other federal agencies and Congress to strengthen airspace security even more through better coordination, clarification and information sharing."

TSA spokesman Mark Hatfield said the agency is getting more efficient at responding to airspace violations.

Since the terrorist attacks, the government has vastly expanded the amount of airspace it restricts. Aircraft aren't allowed to fly over nuclear power plants, chemical storage areas, military facilities, the nation's capital or any area where the president is traveling, or events such as the Super Bowl.

On Wednesday, the FAA restricted airspace above wildfires in the West to ensure the safety of airborne firefighting efforts.

The report noted that airspace violations are almost all inadvertent, because a pilot is trying to avoid bad weather or doesn't check for notices of the restrictions, as they're required to do.

Pilots flying private planes are responsible for 88 percent of the violations, and most occur in the eastern United States, where air traffic is heavy and there's a lot of restricted airspace.

Almost half the violations occur around Washington, where pilots aren't allowed to fly in an area of about 2,000 square miles unless they have a special identifying signal and maintain radio contact with the FAA.
 
Lets all take a minute of scilence to reflect on the devistating effects that a 1800lb Cessna might have on Ted Kennedy when in a restricted zone. What do these people think they are, Gods?

Vote these pieces of sh!t out of office, pretty soon the whole country will be an ADIZ.
 
TDTURBO said:
Lets all take a minute of scilence to reflect on the devistating effects that a 1800lb Cessna might have on Ted Kennedy when in a restricted zone. What do these people think they are, Gods?

My money's on Kennedy in this matchup.

I'm sure everyone here has seen the coverage of the werenotafraid.com . I see now that "wereafraid.com" is taken. Perfect website for Sens. Clinton, Durban, President Bush et. al.

Ridiculous.
 
Not Sure said:
My money's on Kennedy in this matchup.

I'm sure everyone here has seen the coverage of the werenotafraid.com . I see now that "wereafraid.com" is taken. Perfect website for Sens. Clinton, Durban, President Bush et. al.

Ridiculous.

Kennedy's biggest worry should be cirrosis and STD's not Cessnas and that goes for most useless senators.
 
TDTURBO said:
Lets all take a minute of scilence to reflect on the devistating effects that a 1800lb Cessna might have on Ted Kennedy when in a restricted zone. What do these people think they are, Gods?

Vote these pieces of sh!t out of office, pretty soon the whole country will be an ADIZ.

More people have died in the back seat of Teddy's car than have died as a result of accidently flying thru a restricted area.
 
erj-145mech said:
More people have died in the back seat of Teddy's car than have died as a result of accidently flying thru a restricted area.
And conversely, more people have died at Laura Bush's bumper than as a result of flying through a restricted area?
 
erj-145mech said:
More people have died in the back seat of Teddy's car than have died as a result of accidently flying thru a restricted area.

WMUchickenhawk said:
And conversely, more people have died at Laura Bush's bumper than as a result of flying through a restricted area?



Both correct! Definately not a liberal/conservative/dem/repub issue. It's an ignorance/hysteria/narcissism issue. These "public servants" have become confused the future of the republic with their own personal well being.

If we're really not afraid to stand up to these terrorists, why are we closing swaths of airspace? The only people that the gov't is standing up to are hapless pilots transgressing the 30 mile personal space of career politicians.

:)
 
Why don't they place Phalanx weapon systems on all major buildings, landmarks, nuke power plants, etc and be done with it. Leave the airspace open. If you get too close to the White House or a power plant, "Shazbot!" You and your majik carpet becomes confetti.

Geeeze, do I got come up with all the good ideas around this think tank? :rolleyes:
 
FN FAL said:
Why don't they place Phalanx weapon systems on all major buildings, landmarks, nuke power plants, etc and be done with it. Leave the airspace open. If you get too close to the White House or a power plant, "Shazbot!" You and your majik carpet becomes confetti.

Geeeze, do I got come up with all the good ideas around this think tank? :rolleyes:

We can't do that, what about the "CHILDREN"! LMAO!
 

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