Small plane in Camp David air space while Obama there

"The Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft had filed a flight plan but was not in radio contact and got within 11 miles of the presidential retreat." -- I wonder if this was VFR or IFR.

seems, most likely a VFR flight to me, although I haven't checked WX conditions at the time...

That would make sense given that they weren't in radio contact, but how many people actually file a VFR flight plan? Seems very rare.

I always file, even VFR, if on a crosscountry jaunt and utilize flight following when available..I guess I'm the exception to the rule :)

Another example of when FAR 91.103 would apply...

check your Notams! i always get flight following but never actually file VFR

I file everytime I leave the airport area, never know what will happen while enroute and every available resource helps, regardless of the weather conditions.

I live and fly in the Washington D.C. area, so I am especially aware of the changing TFR situation. On IFR flight plans (especially on VFR flights) I always monitor 121.5. Skywatch (the airborne AWACS aircraft) monitoring VIP TFRs always broadcast warnings (in the blind on 121.5) to aircraft whose track will penetrate the TFR. They are very specific on providing details on location, track (heading), altitude and groundspeed. Even the most clueless pilot would be able to determine if they were the ones being addressed. Skywatch even provides corrective action the pilot should take to prevent an intrusion. So come on people, with good navigation, review of NOTAMS, updates through Flight Service or use XM aviation data updates, radar flight following and monitoring 121.5, there is no reason for these regularly occurring events. They give GA an black-eye in the scrutiny of the public (who seem to panic at any mention of airplanes).

Was the Bonanza being piloted by a doctor? If so, the president was in serious danger. Time to ban all Bonanzas, and widen presidential TFR zone to 100 miles radius and 100,000ft. Ok.. just kidding, yes... must check NOTAMS!

One thing we can be pretty sure of is that the pilot won't get the opportunity to repeat his mistake for somewhere between six and 12 months!