The guy in the AutoGyro that landed on the WhiteHouse lawn must really have a death wish.

I remeber a couple of months ago, the Secret Service staff had a fit because someone's broken drone was found on the grounds.

And now, this.

A manned vehicle, 10 times larger than a drone, flies thru restricted air space, thru Washington DC, circles the Washington Monument twice then lands on the WhiteHouse lawn.

If this guy would have had bad intentions, this could have been a disaster.

As it stands now, it merely points out how well the United States is really prepared for another attack even with the billions of $ spent to prevent it.

On another note, the concept of AutoGyros is pretty darn cool.

Now, I want one.

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AKA: "Strange Tamer"

He didn't land on the White House lawn, he landed at the lawn outside Congress at a distance greater than the 100 yard "threshold" for a response using Deadly Force. Basically as I understand it the green space he landed on is open to the public so his only violation would be violating protected airspace. For that I expect that he will get charged with the maximum charge applicable and probably won't ever be able to fly again, either as a pilot or passenger.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat.........

If he would have been spotted they would have shot him down I am betting . He is very lucky to be alive.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

I had an uncle that worked for the post office.By the time he retired,he wasn't quite right either...

Neither rain, sleet, snow or White House security......

He was just delivering the mail.

I'm sure there is a witty Mad Max reference here somewhere...

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Common sense isn't so common.

I blame tv:

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Wonder if that's going to be his defense? Might work

Just one word: skeet.

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50 Years of DSOTM

OK everybody its heat not sleet. I walk by the sign every day.

I saw that headline this morning and was going to read the story, but I got sidetracked by a story about the old Twister game.

I always liked Twister.

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Diddums

They said that the 'copter was under the radar. Likely, way under. Like right over the terrain.
Even if the Secret Service knew where the threat was, the decision to use a ground to air, or an air to air missile, over a populated city would be a tricky one. Co-lateral damage would be likely, and wouldn't go over well.
If RADAR won't work, it would likely require an around the clock aerial surveillance to detect this kind of threat.
Could be done, but Congress would have to approve the bill. This kind of puts the ball back in their court. Hearings to begin soon!

Best,
Rick

Landing that drone on steroids is not much of a feat. The ex-military loon jumped a fence, eluded the agents and the canines ran all the way across the lawn, entered through the UNLOCKED front door before he was captured by an off-duty SS agent that wasn't supposed to be there.
If that guy had a bomb....who knows? Security at the nations capital is anything but tight. Pretty sad security squad we pay for, huh?

He didn't go anywhere near the White House. When he flew west-to-east on the National Mall, which is south of the White House, he was on the far (south) side of the Washington Monument, about 1000 yards away from the White House.

First, the US Secret Service did not have jurisdiction over this incident. In fact, they were not involved in it at all. He was flying over property controlled by the DC Metropolitan Police Department and the US Park Police, and heading toward the Capitol, which is protected by the US Capitol Police.

He was flying at about 25 mph, at a very low altitude, no more than about 30 to 35 feet, when he was heading toward the Capital. He was too low and waaaay too slow for a jet or even a propeller-driven airplane to intercept him. A helicopter (US Park Police helos are a common sight flying over DC) would have been the best vehicle to intercept him, had they wanted to do so.

Firing a missile is out of the question in a case like this. A MANPAD -- which is usually heat-seeking and has considerable range -- fired at something as small as a gyrocopter might very well go right by it and hit something else flying in the area...such as a commercial airliner taking off from Reagan National Airport, which is just across the Potomac River from Washington. Remember Rule #4...it applies to that kind of "shooting" too...

I have different theory on this. I wonder if the authorities let him get away with his stunt as a test of their air defense systems? After all, he e-mailed various government entities to give them advance notice of his plans...suppose they decided to see how well they could track him?

It's funny...after he landed, he insisted he posed no threat, and simply wanted to send a message. I'm thinking his message is: "I need a checkup from the neck up!"

Mathias Rust landed a Cessna 172 near red square in Russia back in 1987.
There is still airspace over the U.S that does not have radar coverage.

What, ya think a couple o' drunk SS agents joyriding across the capitol lawn might a runned inta him???

I WANT to believe that there are still some SS officers that can do their jobs, but it's getting to be more of a stretch everyday.

Good job SS and local PDs

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I heard on this morning's news a White House spokesman say "It came in under the radar"

That's a good cover story and I'm sure half of the people will believe it.

Again: This guy did not land on the White House lawn. He was nowhere near the White House. And the Secret Service has no jurisdiction over anyplace he flew or landed.

Regarding your crack about US Secret Service officers: The USSS has been taking a beating lately because of a few well-publicized incidents, but let me assure you that the vast majority of USSS officers and agents are dedicated professionals who do their jobs very well indeed.

As the proud father of one of them, I think I'm in a position to know what they do... I am one proud dad!

Oh c'mon lets not let the facts get in the way (sarcasm and you should be proud of your son).

Guess folks still don't understand how low these things fly, how radar works or that the CAPITOL police are responsible for the Capitol grounds. DC cops are there to work in conjunction with.

The guy that flew didn't exercise the best judgement (understatement) and I'm wondering how much of his pension/retirement funds will be lost or go to attorney's fees.

Look at the bright side, there's a vacancy at the Post Office and the flag isn't at half mast...

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NULLI SECUNDUS

The guy did his home work and...........
pushed the envelope as far as he could.

1. advanced notice.
2. stopped before entering the "Kill zone".
3. He might have stock in mini choppers?
4. New book to come out later.
5. Maybe late tv show appearances?
6. giving the news media some fresh air to talk about.
all with a little drive around the park...........................

Somewhere there's probably a postal worker tinkering with a rocket pack in his garage.

So, if they can't shoot them down, due to possible co-lateral damage, how do they stop this type of threat.
Even if there is a way to bring down a 'copter without a missile, it could still crash on some visiting tourists. Not good press.
It doesn't really matter who "they" are, the problem is the same.
I know that Congress is going to hold hearings on this. Nancy Pelosi has said so.
If nothing can be done, does it really matter that the guy was under the RADAR?

Best,
Rick

Reminds me of an old title: "Much Ado About Nothing"

And the other half who don't believe it are uninformed...

Actually, it is quite possible to fly in under the "Minimum Vectoring Altitude" by simply flying at a very low altitude. See
Can you actually "fly under the radar"? - Aviation Stack Exchange