As thought by many, the "drone" crash on the White House lawn a few months back, lead DJI to restrict flight in the entire WashingtonDC area. For one drunken government employee to ruin UAV flight in an area while seems to be a bit of over-reach. Have you seen how large the no-fly zone is for the Washington DC area? But then again, broaching a secured compound with a low flying vehicle that is almost un-detectable on radar is pretty egregious also. Off with his head! Just kidding.
Careful out there boys and girls. Your actions are being monitored. Every dimwitted stunt will lead to more closures of air space.
There wasn't a 15.5 mile restriction around Washington DC before this however.
My brother was supposed be on the Air Florida flight that hit the 14th Street bridge. Flights in and out of Washington National have long only been allowed to fly along the Potomac River, both in and out bound.
I've done helicopter photography in DC, 20 years back. After 911, they did close off more airspace, but not 15.5 miles. There are plenty of places along the Potomac River where there are lots of open spaces, far away from traffic coming and going to Dulles and National airports.
A great place to do aerial photo's from was Great Falls on the Potomac. The Virginia side is a National Park, while the Maryland side is state owned and had no prohibition.
I was led to believe that the entire D.C. area was off-limits to all but a select few. I'll defer to your experience. You are/were certainly in a better position to know than I.
Used to fly quite a bit before I retired, but I can only remember a couple of times in my life when I flew into D.C.!
lvl.4
Second Officer
But then again, broaching a secured compound with a low flying vehicle that is almost un-detectable on radar is pretty egregious also. Off with his head! Just kidding.