Pilot Flies Near Statue Of Liberty, Intercepted By NYPD

[emshighway]

The weather was gorgeous so Barry Maggio, 59-year-old Massachusetts resident, decided to fly an ultra lightweight aircraft around New York City—and within 150 feet of the Statue of Liberty. According to the Wall Street Journal, "the U.S. Parks Police notified the Federal Aviation Administration, the New York Police Department launched a chopper to intercept the flight. The police helicopter radioed Mr. Maggio as he neared the George Washington Bridge" yesterday morning.
Maggio was flying an Apollo Aircraft Monsoon—which sort of looks like a hand glider. The NYPD chopper escorted him to Westchester Airport, where he was questioned. Maggio said, "I haven't lived here in a while but I guess I didn't realize that security was that tight... [Security is] obviously different in the city here, in Lower Manhattan, and I didn't take that into account."

He had videotaped his three-hour journey, and the authorities reviewed the video but once it was determined "they weren't terrorism videos," he was released.

[USAF Pilot 07]

What planet is this guy living on???

[PhilDernerJr]

Yeah, why would there be any increased security in downtown Manhattan? Weird. (there's no eye-roll big enough to share my sarcasm)

[Matt Molnar]

Not only is security tight, but if he was 150 feet from the statue, I think he was probably violating the new Hudson corridor airspace rules.

[Mateo]

Or the 500' from anything rule unless you're taking off or landing.