Re:US Capitol evacuated due to possible aircraft threat
by incomingpain on Wednesday April 20, 2022 @07:07PM
(#31104214)
>UPDATE Police say ‘no threat’ at US Capitol after evacuation. Evacuation at the U.S. Capitol caused by U.S. Army team skydiving into stadium for the Washington Nationals.
Re:US Capitol evacuated due to possible aircraft threat
by nomel on Wednesday April 20, 2022 @08:25PM
(#31104749)
So, the US Capitol didn't think to ask the ATC why there was a plane there, considering that's the purpose of the ATC? That seems even less likely.
My naive assumption is that one of the main purposes of these organizations, that we spend an incredible amount of money on, is to create, ready, and follow clear processes. What the heck are they doing with all that money/time? Does all this get reset with every election, or something?
Re:US Capitol evacuated due to possible aircraft threat
by not2b on Wednesday April 20, 2022 @08:06PM
(#31104633)
The 9/11 hijacked planes were also emitting tracking signals. A military plane entering the Capitol exclusion zone unexpectedly might trigger an alert if they can't immediately figure out why it is there, in case it's being piloted by someone who has gone rogue.
Re:US Capitol evacuated due to possible aircraft threat
by Alupis on Wednesday April 20, 2022 @08:08PM
(#31104648)
According to the AP, at no time did this aircraft enter prohibited airspace[1].
Radar tracking data shows the plane, a De Havilland Twin
Otter, remained clear of the prohibited airspace over the
Capitol Building and other government complexes at all
times.
The prohibted space is surface to 18,000 feet and stretched well beyond washington dc. I saw the circling, the plane absolutely would have entered prohibited airspace if not been inside of it the entire time.
Mind you... you just need to get approval from ATC and you can fly into that space. They without a doubt had that permission.
Re:US Capitol evacuated due to possible aircraft threat
by Alupis on Friday April 22, 2022 @04:20PM
(#31127532)
I think you're misunderstanding the NOTAM. It's a Flight Restricted area that's 30NM around DC, but it's not prohibited. Prohibited is only right around the actual capitol, and can be seen clearly marked as "Prohibited" on the charts[1].
Inside the Restricted area, VFR aircraft flying up to FL180 are restricted to 180Kts indicated airspeed, and from 30-60NM restricted to 230Kts indicated. You are also required to be in contact with ATC before entering this airspace.
So... no, the aircraft violated no rules/regulations at any time. Seems to be an overly jumpy US Capitol detail that didn't think to contact the relevant authorities before evacuating everyone... which is strange to say the least.
Though in this case, I believe both DCA Tower and Approach were aware of this operation, and so the pilots are OK, just the Capitol Police didn't get the word. I'm certain they have radar (or at least a radar feed), and so would have been justifiably concerned.
Re:US Capitol evacuated due to possible aircraft threat
by golergka on Wednesday April 20, 2022 @08:08PM
(#31104646)
>UPDATE Police say ‘no threat’ at US Capitol after evacuation. Evacuation at the U.S. Capitol caused by U.S. Army team skydiving into stadium for the Washington Nationals.
Major evacuation because of adsb emitting plane?
No I doubt this.
Not only was ATC informed... you could go on public websites like adsb exchange and see exactly who the plane is.
My naive assumption is that one of the main purposes of these organizations, that we spend an incredible amount of money on, is to create, ready, and follow clear processes. What the heck are they doing with all that money/time? Does all this get reset with every election, or something?
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_1155.html
The prohibted space is surface to 18,000 feet and stretched well beyond washington dc. I saw the circling, the plane absolutely would have entered prohibited airspace if not been inside of it the entire time.
Mind you... you just need to get approval from ATC and you can fly into that space. They without a doubt had that permission.
Inside the Restricted area, VFR aircraft flying up to FL180 are restricted to 180Kts indicated airspeed, and from 30-60NM restricted to 230Kts indicated. You are also required to be in contact with ATC before entering this airspace.
So... no, the aircraft violated no rules/regulations at any time. Seems to be an overly jumpy US Capitol detail that didn't think to contact the relevant authorities before evacuating everyone... which is strange to say the least.
[1] https://aeronav.faa.gov/visual/03-24-2022/PDFs/Washington.pd...
• A number of Prohibited Areas, of which P-56 is the one covering the capitol. That is the "prohibited airspace" that the plane avoided.
• The Flight-Restricted Zone that extends 15 miles around Washington National Airport (DCA).
If you go to http://vfrmap.com, search for "KDCA", and switch the drop-down menu to "Sectionals", you'll see where the stadium is relative to P-56. See also https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/restricted-airspace-0
Though in this case, I believe both DCA Tower and Approach were aware of this operation, and so the pilots are OK, just the Capitol Police didn't get the word. I'm certain they have radar (or at least a radar feed), and so would have been justifiably concerned.
Lets say this parachute team is the true story.
How jumpy are they to be calling for evacuation over something you can go on a website and check on?
That in of itself is a story.
You require prople of a calibre capable of processing said situation and knowing exactly who to call, when, and what to ask.
Apparently, DC didn't have that.
You mean like a comedy?
Jumpers to ATC: "Hey, we're going here to jump here."
Capitol to ATC: "Hey, who's that and where are they going?"
0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Hawaii_false_missile_aler...