too close to Obama: Air Force intercepts plane

[nmbluesky]

This weekend provides another lesson for private airplane pilots.

Don't get too close to presidential locations.

Two US F-15 fighters intercepted a small civilian plane Saturday when it flew too close to Camp David, where the president and his family are spending the weekend.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said its jets encountered a Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft at around 3:25 p.m. Eastern time, and escorted it away "without incident."

"The civilian aircraft, which was out of radio communication, was intercepted approximately 11 miles from Camp David," NORAD said in a statement.

It landed at Hagerstown, Maryland, without incident.

NORAD spokeswoman Stacey Knott told AFP that the plane was intercepted out of an "abundance of caution" because it was out of radio contact, adding that it did not appear to pose any threat.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/06/too-close-to-obama-air-force-intercepts-civilian-plane-near-camp-david/1

[obxhead]

1. 11 miles from Camp David is outside of radio communication range?

I find that fairly disturbing.

[TheWraith]

4. No, "out of radio contact" means it wasn't responding to ground-based controllers.

Either because the pilot was refusing to respond, or their radio was off/misconfigured, or it was damaged.

I believe once or twice they've had college students in small aircraft screw with the no-fly zones this way on a dare.

[awoke_in_2003]

6. It said it was out of communication...

not out of communication range. Out of range is highly unlikely. The radio in the civilian aircraft being turned off or malfunctioning is more likely.

[Tesha]

8. If a pilot is operating VFR (under "Visual Flight Rules")*, there's no obligation...

...that they should be listening to *ANY* particular
radio frequency.

Tesha


* And outside of specifically-controlled airspace
such as the TCA (Terminal Control Area) near a
major airport

[BobbyBoring]

2. And let's see

NORAD couldn't do anything about 9/11??

[AndyTiedye]

3. Ashcroft Had Sent the Fighters Away to Look for Pot Smugglers

and at the same time had switched to a government jet for all his own travel. :grr:

[Scottybeamer70]

5. They find one small civilian plane.........

but couldn't find THREE huge airliners? ummmmkay...........
makes perfect sense to someone, I suppose.

[Name removed]

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