[Porsche-O-Phile]

The article says that Dec. 21, 2012 was Draper's last day flying for Piedmont... I wonder if that was determined before or after the incident. Maybe it was his last flight before being furloughed and he wanted to make a splash or whatever... Dunno. That'd be my suspicion based on the fact it took six months for the FAA to perform an emergency revocation of his certificate afterwards.

The guy is still an asshat (and I'm saying that as a Commercial Pilot and CFI). Basic FARs state an aircraft needs to be at least 1000' above the highest obstacle within a 2000' horizontal radius over a congested area (can be lower if necessary for takeoff or landing). Sounds like he may have violated speed limits too - limit is 250 knots indicated below 10,000' - article says he was doing 283 mph which is about 246 knots... Very close. Also can't be faster than 200 knots if below 2500' and within 4 miles of a "Class C" or "Class D" airport (not sure what this particular a/p is but most airports served by air carriers are at least Class D).

Hair splitting over regulations aside, this guy is unsafe and I wouldn't want to fly with him. Not even in a simulator.