ABC News: Gyrocopter Pilot Charged for Landing on US Capitol Grounds
The man who flew what he called a “flying bicycle” through restricted airspace above the nation’s capital and landed near the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday made his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon.
Doug Hughes, 61, of Ruskin, Fla., walked in wearing his U.S. Postal uniform, looking tan. He also had to wear court earphones so he could hear (the earphones usually used by foreign-speaking defendants who need translations).
During the hearing, the judge read the charges against him -- one count of knowingly operating an aircraft not properly registered and one count of violating national air defense space.
Update: U.S. charges Florida man who landed helicopter near U.S. capitol -- Reuters
WNU Editor: The pilot has been released .... Gyrocopter pilot released and allowed to return home to Florida (Washington Post) .... but what is raising everyone's concerns is that this gyrocopter was not detected until the last moment .... Norad: Gyrocopter Wasn’t Detected as It Approached Capitol (WSJ). I guess it was too small to be detected .... 'Gyrocopter' likely too small to be detected by radar (USA Today). As to what is my take on the whole incident .... if he had flown for another 30 seconds I suspect that he would have been shot down .... but aside from that .... he must have had quite a view of Washington while flying in (from 70 miles away according to some reports).
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