Copter Freaks Out Capitol Hill
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… and for good reason: most of DC is supposed to be protected air space.
A small gyrocopter reportedly piloted by a Florida postal worker landed on the West Lawn of the Capitol on Wednesday, triggering a brief lockdown and raising questions about security on Capitol Hill.
The gyrocopter set down on lawn shortly after 1 p.m. It appeared to be adorned with the logo of the United States Postal Service.
Reporters and security personnel flocked to the scene, and police later said the pilot of the aircraft had been arrested. Charges were not immediately released.
“The U.S. Capitol Police is investigating a gyrocopter with a single occupant that has landed on the grassy area of the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol,” a Capitol Police spokeswoman said. “The U.S. Capitol Police continues to investigate with one person detained and temporary street closures in the immediate area.”
The pilot was reportedly delivering 535 letters to the members of Congress protesting rampant bribery… er, campaign contributions:
About a year ago, [Mike] Shanahan said, [his pal Doug] Hughes told him of the idea to deliver letters to legislators by gyrocopter. Not long after, they were both questioned by a Secret Service official in Florida, he said. Wednesday morning, Shanahan said, Hughes called his friend and said he was in Washington, ready to take off.
He passed along the website on which he would livestream his flight, but Shanahan, not adept with computers, could not find it.
And, would’ntchaknowit, at least one agency was tipped off about the scheme:
So, [Shanahan] said, he pulled out the phone number he had saved from the Secret Service agent he spoke to months ago. He dialed. No answer, but he said he left a message. No call back. He still was not certain if the protest was actually going to happen.
“I didn’t want to get all of D.C. in an uproar and it turn out he was just practicing or something or he was just pulling my leg,” Shanahan said.
Though Hughes was arrested, Shanahan said he was relieved his friend was alive.
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FatRat April 15th, 2015 at 4:08 pm
I think some Floridian watched The Road Warrior one time too many. lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys_1tXNdCKo&feature=youtu.be&t=150
Suzanne McFly April 15th, 2015 at 4:51 pm
That is a good movie though.
CHOCOL8MILK April 15th, 2015 at 8:22 pm
The reboot movie is coming out….”Mad Max: Fury Road”
Hirightnow April 15th, 2015 at 9:05 pm
ASPLOSIANS!!!
Suzanne McFly April 16th, 2015 at 10:10 am
I know, I can’t wait. I hope it is good, fingers crossed.
Hirightnow April 15th, 2015 at 5:24 pm
But most of all, I remember The Road Warrior. The man we called “Max”.
They went and tried to reboot him.
Those were dark times.
Guy Lauten April 15th, 2015 at 6:15 pm
woof
fancypants April 15th, 2015 at 9:29 pm
ahhh yes the gwb years
I remember it well
Suzanne McFly April 15th, 2015 at 4:51 pm
I think something was left out of the article…..About a year ago, [Mike] Shanahan said, [his pal Doug] Hughes ‘ and he had just finished their fifth pitcher and Doug’ told him of the idea to deliver letters to legislators by gyrocopter.
Hirightnow April 15th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
A gyrocopter?
I mean, points for maneuverability, but minus about a thousand for speed!
Anomaly 100 April 15th, 2015 at 8:33 pm
I thought my gynecologist lost his shit again.
Hirightnow April 15th, 2015 at 8:48 pm
Does your gynecologist warm up the whirlygig before (he) uses it?
bpollen April 16th, 2015 at 5:30 am
Would he benefit from landing lights?
Ricky C. April 15th, 2015 at 7:17 pm
Really a great job of protecting the president. I thought there was a no-fly zone around the Capitol and White House.