[JYO] AOPA's Boyer warns pilots GA can't afford that kind of mistake

Feds won't charge pilot who caused White House evacuation
AOPA's Boyer warns pilots GA can't afford that kind of mistake

June 20 — Federal law enforcement officials say no criminal charges will be 
filed against the pilot of a Cessna 182 who caused the brief evacuation of 
the White House Wednesday night. The pilot violated the temporary flight 
restriction over Washington, D.C., after diverting around weather. 

That very sort of pilot error was the topic of AOPA President Phil Boyer's 
Pilot Town Meeting in Nashville, Tenn., being held at virtually the same time 
as the violation. "In the climate that exists after the terrorist attacks, 
pilots have got to fly smarter than ever," Boyer told the assembly. "It is 
imperative that GA pilots adhere to the restrictions. Not doing so could undo 
all that AOPA has accomplished since September 11." Boyer reiterated that 
pilots must check and understand all notams before flight.

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has a free online course, <A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/asf/opair2002.htm";>Operation Airspace 
2002</A>, which could have helped the pilot in question to be aware of TFRs and 
how to avoid them.

 In addition, since the September 11 attacks, AOPA Online has maintained a 
web page listing <A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2001/010915tfr.html";>national 
security notams</A>. The page was recently updated to 
make it easier to sort through, dividing the notams by state. In addition, 
many of the notams include graphical depictions and plain language 
explanations. The web page is intended as an aid to pilots, and does not 
constitute an official briefing. Pilots are advised to ask a preflight 
briefer for all notams associated with a route of flight.


In photo: PowerPoint slide from Phil Boyer's Pilot Town Meeting advising 
pilots to observe all security restrictions.

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