[Wright is right!]

"If they want to go non IFR they have to stay below 12,500 ft and 250 kts. At these altitudes and speeds Private Jets are huge Fuel Pigs, you don't normally fly these things VFR and down this low. Now maybe they filed a flight plan just after take off, and nobody picked up on it."

You're essentially correct. You have to stay under 250 knots, squawk 1200, and stay out of TCA's and below 12,000. As you said, he may have departed VFR, then handed to Departure for vectors, and THEN filed a plan. But no matter where he went, ATC knows where that aircraft is/was, because even if you're VFR, radar-service terminated, resume own navigation, CENTER still has you, and an a/c like that would have a Mode III Transponder and would be required to have it on upon entering ANY TCA for landing.

So ATC knows, but the media has forgotten, seemingly, to ask them.

Michael

[cinFLA]

You're essentially correct. You have to stay under 250 knots, squawk 1200, and stay out of TCA's and below 12,000.

Really?

[taildragger]

Thanks Mike

It has been a long time since I have recalled that info, I think I did pretty good! What do you fly ? I take it you are Corp Pilot or Higher.

Best Regards,

Taildragger